Black History Month:

Elgin Community College’s celebration of Black History Month begins with a keynote address by Christopher Mitchell, an entrepreneur, artist and educator, at the kickoff breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday in the Building E Dining Room, 1700 Spartan Drive. Mitchell works at Northern Illinois University as a CHANCE Program counselor and primarily assists students within the majors of engineering and music. He is also a coordinator for NIU’s PROMISE Scholars program, where he creates and facilitates events for students within STEM majors. Tickets are $5 for students or $10 for community members at tickets.elgin.edu.

Blood shortage is critical:

Heartland Blood Centers is in critical need of several blood types to meet the demands of hospitals in northern Illinois. Heartland officials recently reported less than a one-day supply of O positive, O negative, B positive and B negative, with the potential to reach critical levels on all other types. Heartland has increased capacity to allow for added scheduling at any of 13 donor centers or mobile blood drives. All donors in January will receive a $10 Noodles & Co. coupon. Call (800) 786-4483, visit heartlandbc.org or text APPT to 444-999 for an appointment.

Help out in Kaneland 302:

Kaneland Unit District 302 seeks to add members to its citizens’ advisory, finance advisory and facilities planning committees plus the Kaneland Foundation. Selection committees will seek representation from various attendance areas within the community. They seek a cross section of opinions and educational perspectives with a general ability to work constructively with others. More than 50 percent of Kaneland households have no school-aged children and those households should be represented on this committee. If interested in learning more, contact Beth Sterkel at the district office at (630) 365-5111, ext. 71109, or beth.sterkel@kaneland.org. Get an application at kaneland.typeform.com/to/zf76o9. Applications are due March 15.

American Grands at ECC:

Approximately 460 pianists of all ages and skill levels will perform during American Grands XXII Saturday at the Elgin Community College Arts Center. It will be held at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. in the Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive. It features 24 pianists (two per piano) performing on stage at once on 12 grand pianos. The musical repertoire includes arrangements of “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, the “Star Wars” theme by John Williams, selections from Handel’s “Messiah,” “Defying Gravity” from Stephen Schwartz’ Broadway musical “Wicked” and “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. All three performances will open with the “Star-Spangled Banner” and close with “Star and Stripes Forever.” Tickets are $24, $15 for kids 12 and younger and available at tickets.elgin.edu or at the ECC box office in the arts center. Call (847) 622-0300.

‘Fahrenheit 451’ at ECC:

Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” will be brought to life on stage by actor Rich Orlow at the Elgin Community College Arts Center on Thursday. The Literature to Life stage presentation will be performed at 7:30 p.m. in the ECC Arts Center, Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive. Tickets are $25 and available at tickets.elgin.edu, at the ECC Arts Center box office and by calling (847) 622-0300.