Upcoming Events
We are so excited to open up The Dole to Crystal Lake and McHenry County. From Art Shows, Lou’s Lounge Speakeasy, to Farmers Market +, There’s always things to do at The Dole. Take a look at our calendar and list of events below to see if anything sparks your interest!
If you are interested in how a previous event went, be sure to click the button below to view the highlight photos. You might even make the highlight reel if you attend. You may also want to check out art classes at The Dole.
Interested in Booking a Private Event in The Mansion, The Gallery or Lou’s Lounge?
Each venue space offers a unique backdrop for your special event!
Please click the button below for more information.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
12 | 13 Jazz Series
Join us for 4 fabulous jazz filled evenings 7pm - 9 pm with The Jazz Standards September through December in Crystal Lake's Hidden Gem Lou's Lounge - an exclusive hideaway in the Dole Mansion! Specialty cocktail menus | Full Bar available for purchase & complimentary nibbles.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
New Years Eve at The Dole
Come and ring in the New Year with us at the Dole Mansion! Classical piano in the Mansion, DJ & Modern Day Romeos in the Lakeside Ballroom and Ryan Shepard in Lou's Lounge playing Country, Motown and Jazz!
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
Farmers Market+ Indoor Market
Our Indoor Market+ is a smaller version of our 5X Award-Winning Farmers Market with 50+ farmers, food purveyors and a few artisans. Most of our farmers & vendors indoors are also in our outdoor market, so you are bound to still find your favorites! This historic property is a unique and perfect setting for a “Sip and Shop” Sunday experience with live music each week, brunch beverages that pair deliciously with either breakfast or lunch options served throughout the indoor market season! Plus a big-screen TV featuring sports located in the bar area. We are not a typical Farmers Market, which is why we have a “plus” in our name! Our goal is to offer you more!
Join us from 10am-2pm for a delightful Sunday-Funday! Parking is FREE.
11 | 8 Jazz Series
Join us for 4 fabulous jazz filled evenings 7pm - 9 pm with The Jazz Standards September through December in Crystal Lake's Hidden Gem Lou's Lounge - an exclusive hideaway in the Dole Mansion! Specialty cocktail menus | Full Bar available for purchase & complimentary nibbles.
Lou's Lounge - Singer/Songwriter Showcase feat. Mark Sengstock
Mark Sengstock is the 10th of 10 artists to be featured in our Showcase Series!
About Mark:
Although Mark grew up in the Chicago suburbs playing bluegrass with his father and friends, many of his influences come from the South after moving to Atlanta when he was a teenager. Bands like the Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Widespread Panic, and The Black Crowes are just a few of his influences. Mark toured the Southeastern US as lead guitar for bands Stone Soup and Hobo Lingo until eventually moving back to Chicagoland in 2005, where he currently frequents bars and coffee houses as a solo acoustic performer.
Singer/Songwriter Showcase is in conjunction with NMP 4th Fridays Art Show, which begins at 6pm-9pm. If you attend the Art Show, you will receive a ticket into Lou’s Lounge as well.
The Doors to Lou’s Lounge open at 8pm. If you are only attending the Singer/Songwriter Showcase, tickets can be purchased for $5, just click the link below!
NMP's 4th Friday Art Show
$10 per person to enter- Cash only- ATM onsite. Children 12 and under free with an adult.
Three exhibits – art [all media], photo exhibit and featured solo artist show
Live music on two stages in two separate galleries
Cashless bars (credit/debit & all forms of mobile pay accepted) – roving snacks on trays – cool culture – historic building
Your entry fee to 4th Fridays also admits you into the Dole’s underground speakeasy, Lou’s Lounge for a LIVE music experience featuring , the Final featured performer in the Singer-Songwriter Showcase Series beginning 8:30pm.
4th Fridays is made possible by a large culture of committed volunteers who believe that keeping the arts alive and thriving in a community is beyond important. And doing that in a fresh + fun innovative monthly art event in an historic venue is one really great way to do that!
Nancy Merkling Productions’ 4th Fridays Art Event started at The Starline in Harvard in April 2011 and moved to The Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake in October 2019. We start our 2024 Season with our 98th event. Whoa, right?
If you have questions, please connect one of the following ways. We are here to help.
Phone – Nancy 815.347.8535 or Email – nancy@nancymerkling.com
10 | 18 Jazz Series
Join us for 4 fabulous jazz filled evenings 7pm - 9 pm with The Jazz Standards September through December in Crystal Lake's Hidden Gem Lou's Lounge - an exclusive hideaway in the Dole Mansion! Specialty cocktail menus | Full Bar available for purchase & complimentary nibbles.
Lou's Lounge - Singer/Songwriter Showcase feat. Mark Sengstock
Mark Sengstock is the 9th of 10 artists to be featured in our Showcase Series!
About Mark:
Although Mark grew up in the Chicago suburbs playing bluegrass with his father and friends, many of his influences come from the South after moving to Atlanta when he was a teenager. Bands like the Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Widespread Panic, and The Black Crowes are just a few of his influences. Mark toured the Southeastern US as lead guitar for bands Stone Soup and Hobo Lingo until eventually moving back to Chicagoland in 2005, where he currently frequents bars and coffee houses as a solo acoustic performer.
Singer/Songwriter Showcase is in conjunction with NMP 4th Fridays Art Show, which begins at 6pm-9pm. If you attend the Art Show, you will receive a ticket into Lou’s Lounge as well.
The Doors to Lou’s Lounge open at 8pm. If you are only attending the Singer/Songwriter Showcase, tickets can be purchased for $5, just click the link below!
Lou's Lounge - Live Music feat. Mark Sengstock
Come out to Crystal Lake's hidden gem - Lou's Lounge Speakeasy! Join us for an evening of live music with Mark Sengstock - Tickets are a donation to The Dole - small bites will be served, Signature Cocktails and full bar available for purchase - Lou's Lounge is a cashless venue - doors open at 6:00pm.
Summer's Last Hurrah! feat. CORK 'N CLASSICS 6-9pm with an After-Party option in Lou's Lounge feat. Deja Vu Duo from 9-11pm
Not ready for summer to be over? Well, neither are we!! So The Dole & BCU are presenting…SUMMER’S LAST HURRAH!
An outdoor summer party with Live Music featuring CORK ‘N CLASSICS, vocal entertainers covering all your favorite cover songs from the 50s, 60s, & 70s with a focus on Country, Motown, R&B and more!
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | The Dole Community Arts Center
Join us in celebrating the exciting start of a new chapter for The Dole as it officially becomes a Community Arts Center! This change marks a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering creativity and engagement within our community.
9 | 14 Jazz Series
Join us for 4 fabulous jazz filled evenings 7pm - 9 pm with The Jazz Standards September through December in Crystal Lake's Hidden Gem Lou's Lounge - an exclusive hideaway in the Dole Mansion! Specialty cocktail menus | Full Bar available for purchase & complimentary nibbles.
Lou’s Lounge- Singer/Songwriter Showcase feat. Adam Cartwright of BackForward
This month’s Singer Songwriter Showcase features Adam Cartwright of BackForward. He is our 8th featured artist of the series.
Lou’s is The Dole’s swanky prohibition-era speakeasy, built in 1925. If you are attending the Art Show, you will gain entry to the Lounge as well with your ticket purchase. If you are only attending Lou’s Lounge, tickets can be purchased online for $5. You must be 21 or older to enter. Complimentary nibbles will be provided. Hand-Crafted Cocktails available for purchase.
NMP's 4th Friday Art Show
$10 per person to enter- Cash only- ATM onsite. Children 12 and under free with an adult.
Three exhibits – art [all media], photo exhibit and featured solo artist show
Live music on two stages in two separate galleries
Cashless bars (credit/debit & all forms of mobile pay accepted) – roving snacks on trays – cool culture – historic building
Your entry fee to 4th Fridays also admits you into the Dole’s underground speakeasy, Lou’s Lounge for a LIVE music experience featuring , the 9th featured performer in the Singer-Songwriter Showcase beginning 8:30pm.
4th Fridays is made possible by a large culture of committed volunteers who believe that keeping the arts alive and thriving in a community is beyond important. And doing that in a fresh + fun innovative monthly art event in an historic venue is one really great way to do that!
Nancy Merkling Productions’ 4th Fridays Art Event started at The Starline in Harvard in April 2011 and moved to The Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake in October 2019. We start our 2024 Season with our 98th event. Whoa, right?
If you have questions, please connect one of the following ways. We are here to help.
Phone – Nancy 815.347.8535 or Email – nancy@nancymerkling.com
Lou's Lounge- Singer/Songwriter Showcase feat. Allie Hulen
This month’s featured artist is Allie Hulen!
Allie Hulen graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in Music Education. She teaches in elementary general music in Crystal Lake School District #47 and teaches piano and guitar lessons at Encore Music Academy. Allie loves to write songs and explore how songwriting can be a tool for self-expression, human connection, and learning! She performs as a local artist for Encore Music Academy and at other local venues. Her goal as a musician is to provide quality musical experiences for listeners - that they might build connections between themselves and the musical world around them. “
NMP's 4th Friday Art Show
$10 per person to enter- Cash only- ATM onsite. Children 12 and under free with an adult.
Three exhibits – art [all media], photo exhibit and featured solo artist show
Live music on two stages in two separate galleries
Cashless bars (credit/debit & all forms of mobile pay accepted) – roving snacks on trays – cool culture – historic building
Your entry fee to 4th Fridays also admits you into the Dole’s underground speakeasy, Lou’s Lounge for a LIVE music experience featuring , the 7th featured performer in the Singer-Songwriter Showcase beginning 8:30pm.
4th Fridays is made possible by a large culture of committed volunteers who believe that keeping the arts alive and thriving in a community is beyond important. And doing that in a fresh + fun innovative monthly art event in an historic venue is one really great way to do that!
Nancy Merkling Productions’ 4th Fridays Art Event started at The Starline in Harvard in April 2011 and moved to The Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake in October 2019. We start our 2024 Season with our 98th event. Whoa, right?
If you have questions, please connect one of the following ways. We are here to help.
Phone – Nancy 815.347.8535 or Email – nancy@nancymerkling.com
