Northbrook Star

Former ‘Idol’ Lee DeWyze back in town

Sun, 12 May 2013 06:15:59 -0500

There’s nothing like a homecoming. On April 19, Season 9 American Idol winner Lee DeWyze returns to Viper Alley in Lincolnshire. DeWyze, who previously played Viper Alley’s anniversary show in 2012, hails from Mount Prospect.

Ravinia Festival tickets now on sale

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:43:41 -0500

Forget the calendar. Summer runs from June 6 through Sept. 15 at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, with more than 120 events, including more than 80 festival debuts.

Festival celebrates the ‘sheer genius’ of Handel

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:46:00 -0500

In the panoply of Western classical music, George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), is among the greats, ranking beside J. S. Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. His output was vast, and his talent encompassed opera, song and oratorio, as well as instrumental works.

Downhome opera fires up a ‘Barbecu’

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:52:57 -0500

Picture Wagner’s “Ring Cycle” transplanted to Texas. Imagine five actors playing all 30 roles from a singing cowboy named Seigfried to a trio of triplets. Shows don’t get much sillier than “Das Barbecu.”

Last rodeo for Country Calendar concert

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:24:00 -0500

Attention old-time country music lovers: If you’ve ever been a fan of artist Heather McAdams’ annual Country Calendar and its accompanying blowout concert parties, don’t miss this year’s release celebration. It’s going to be the last one for the foreseeable future. The 2013 Country Calendar Show — featuring 12 musical acts covering songs by the vintage country stars spotlighted each month in the calendar McAdams creates — will be presented Dec. 7 at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. “This one’s going to be a little bittersweet because it’s the last one for at least a little while,” said McAdams, who is preparing …

Musings and music mark ‘Midwinter’

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:34:03 -0500

It’s ‘Midwinter’ again in Oak Park. After last year’s successful “Midwinter’s Tales: Peace, Joy and Hope,” the Oak Park Festival Theatre is presenting an all-new selection of holiday-themed readings and music as a co-benefit with Oak Park River Forest Walk-In Ministry’s crisis-management services.

Supremes singer helps tell Lena Horne’s life story

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:59:16 -0500

If you know all there is to know about the great Lena Horne, or if you couldn’t pick her out of a lineup, a new show aims to teach everyone something about the dazzling singer. North Central College presents “Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Project” on Nov. 17. It stars Mary Wilson of The Supremes in a multi-media tribute performance. Horne biographer James Gavin serves as narrator of the show, which is based on his award-winning book and combines story, song and images from Gavin’s wealth of material. The story covers Horne from her Cotton Club glory days and the …

Big Band concert will aid jazz students

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 11:36:00 -0500

It will be an evening of fine, big band jazz to support a new generation of jazz musicians. “I’m proud of what we’re doing and accomplishing in this short time with Jazz Community, in we’re keeping Bill’s memory alive with the music he loved through the band he created and built,” said Marianne May of Norridge.

Orchestras tuning up for busy season

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:32:01 -0500

Summer is winding down, but things are just warming up for area orchestras. Here is a look at the upcoming classical music season. Bella Voce presents its opening concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Program includes William Byrd’s “Mass for Four Voices,” and Frank Ferko’s “Stabat Mater.” Soloist is soprano Patrice Michaels. Season concerts include Handel’s “Messiah” at 7 p.m. Nov. 16; “Holiday Delights” at 4 p.m. Dec. 9, and “The Sweetness of Spring” at 7:30 p.m. April 27, all at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman, Evanston. Visit www.bellavoce.org. Chicago a cappella opens its season with “Genius in …

Ravinia extends classical concert season

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:48:01 -0500

Building on the success of the summer’s many classical concerts in Bennett Gordon Hall for $10 each, the Ravinia Festival is presenting eight programs in the 450-seat theater this season for that very attractive price. Titled “BGH $10 classics,” the series runs October through April and includes the Chicago premiere of James Whitbourn’s “Annelies: The Choral Setting of the Diary of Anne Frank” in 2013, as well as what surely must be the first-ever Christmas concert the Ravinia Festival has ever presented. Those two concerts are only available for $10 to persons who have purchased three other concerts. The series …

Hall & Oates bringing ‘rock ’n’ soul’ to Ravinia

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:46:00 -0500

Darryl Hall and John Oates, one of the most influential rock duos during the Reagan years, return to Ravinia on Sept. 1. Better known as Hall & Oates, the two men rocked the pop stage with their rock and R&B fusion throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, en route to being named Billboard’s best duo of all time.

Folksinger Andrew Calhoun appears with Danny Schmidt

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:32:00 -0500

Folksinger Andrew Calhoun appears with Danny Schmidt at 8 p.m. Aug. 28 at the WDCB studio complex in the Open Campus Center on the College of DuPage campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The performance is part of the station’s “Folk Festival” program. Tickets are $15. Visit www.WDCB.org or call (630) 942-4200.

Janiva Magness sings at Fitzgerald’s

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:22:01 -0500

“An Evening with Janiva Magness,” blues diva, takes place at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Tickets are $15. Call (708) 788-2118or see www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. …