After a great summer of outdoor music fests, it's time to bring the most of the shows indoors for the autumn and winter season. And, when indoor concerts take place on the grand curtained stage of the oldest theater in town, in a Greek Revival cathedral, under a sea of lights of a modern stage or in an abandoned flour mill, they can be fairly spine-tingling.
The UIS Performing Arts Center, 1 University Plaza, has a fresh lineup of wonderful music shows that hit on everyone's favorite genres.
On Sept. 4, Proud Tina introduces powerhouse vocalist Caroline Borole who delivers an energetic performance bringing back Tina Turner's hits from the 60s through the 90s. This ultimate tribute to Turner includes a full band, brass section, backing vocalists and dancers, fueled with high-intensity choreography and Borole's powerful, raspy vocals.
On Sept. 13, Max Beckman and his ensemble of bass guitarists present the unique sound of his original compositions that use only bass and vocals. The Electric Bass Quintet concert is produced in partnership with UIS Music as part of the Date Night series.
Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning artists Keb' Mo' and Shawn Colvin will bring their unique blend of blues and folk to the stage on Sept. 24. Keb' Mo' is "renowned for his modern take on Delta blues" and "captivates audiences with his soulful guitar playing and rich, expressive voice." Singer-songwriter Colvin blends folk and pop with some Americana influences and her ethereal voice. They will be joined by Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly.
On Oct. 5, experience PLANETS with David Becker, a captivating auditory and visual expedition where entrancing projections of the cosmos merge seamlessly with Becker's masterfully composed and improvised melodies. Join a post-concert gathering at the Campus Observatory. The program is presented in partnership with UIS Astronomy-Physics.
One Hundred Strings is a performance with traditional Indian string instruments. The seven-stringed veena and the santoor, with 93 strings, will be played by the world-renowned Nirmala Rajasekar and Sandeep Chaterjee. The musicians will also share the stories of their instruments and of their music and cultural traditions during the Oct. 10 performance.
The UIS Music Faculty String Quartet will share and discuss dance traditions from around the world – with emphasis on the tango – in It Takes Four to Tango on Oct. 12. Featured composers include Carlos Gardel, Astor Piazzolla, Dmitri Shostakovich and Goran Bregovic, and others. The event is part of the Date Night series.
On Nov. 15, singer-songwriter and guitarist Kevin Aldrich and vocalist Diane Dietz will share love songs across several genres and time periods with Voice and Guitar: Love Songs.
In addition to UIS' extensive lineup, there are plenty of musical events happening at other venues around town this fall.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 E. Lawrence Ave., will present Cantus on Sept. 21. The group is a nationally known, premier men's vocal ensemble with spectacular harmonies and an engaging performance style.
The cathedral is also hosting its annual First Friday Concert Series. According to its website, every year the cathedral "invites talented local and national musicians to perform music designed to engage the audience and provide an opportunity for spiritual and cultural enrichment." The concert on Sept. 6 will feature vocal students of Justin Johnson.
On Oct. 4, guitarists Duo 220 will perform. The duo is known for their extraordinary technique and musicianship.
Mark Gifford and Damien Kaplan, known as Dual Piano, will perform on Nov. 1. Kaplan is the director music and theater at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, and Gifford is the director of music and organist for the cathedral.
The Sound Celebration Chorus has performed four-part barbershop harmony in central Illinois for over 70 years. For its annual fundraiser, the chorus will perform a selection of Disney music and popular selections from their own repertoire. Mousekevision, emceed by Vanessa Ferguson, will take place Sept. 7 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Listening to bluegrass musicians from throughout the Midwest at the Bluegrass Concerts and Traditional Music Festival at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, in Kelso Hollow on Sept. 6-7 is a great way to usher in autumn. On Sept. 7, traditional, folk and bluegrass musicians will also be playing throughout the village. Musicians are invited to participate in these impromptu jam sessions.
Venice – Stained Glass Tour 2024 is coming to the The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence Ave., on Sept. 12. If you can imagine the 1970s rock of Aerosmith and the storytelling of James Taylor with the harmonies of The Eagles, you've imagined Venice.
Co-hosted by Moving Pillsbury Forward, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra percussion ensemble and piano trio will perform in the C-mill of Pillsbury Mill, 1525 E. Phillips St. as its inaugual Beyond the Stage concert experiences. The Sept. 14 ticketed performance includes hors d'oeuvres, along with a cash bar.
On Oct. 2, Dorothy Paige Turner and Joel Ross will present Musical Selections from the "Great American Songbook." With song and narrative, the singer-songwriters will explore the roots of jazz among enslaved Africans who brought their field hollers, work songs and spirituals to this uniquely American art form. Ross will also demonstrate the evolution of Ragtime and stride piano. The event is part of Arts for All at Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road.
Enjoy these fall concerts. They're perfect for getting us warmed up for the holiday and mid-winter performances that will soon burst onto the stages.
