Benefit Concert for Martin J. Larson Foundation

The Martin J. Larson Foundation provides scholarships to all Lincoln-Way High Schools, and it benefits the American Cancer Society, the Multiple Sclerosis Society,

12-12-12 Concert to Benefit Hurricane Sandy Victims

Some of the biggest names in music will play at a benefit concert on Wednesday. All proceeds will go to Hurricane Sandy victims, via the Robin Hood Foundation. Find out how to help and where you can watch or listen in the Chicago area.

Huge names in music are lending their talents to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts at the “12-12-12” concert Wednesday. Every penny sold from ticket sales will go directly to Sandy victims through the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which provides material, money and aid to local organizations that are serving families and individuals in the regions hardest hit by the storm, including more than 200 Patch towns in New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island. The all-star lineup includes Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, Kanye West, The Who and Paul McCartney, with other artists to be announced. According to the 12-12-12 concert’s website, starting …

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SouthScene

McGuinn, Starship, Murder and 'Monologues' Headline Stage Menu

Classic folk and rock, new details about John Wilkes Booth, Neil Simon's 'Biloxi Blues,' a musical 'Some Like It Hot' and how a bullet changed a life are a great start to summer arts and entertainment calendar.

Roger McGuinn, the legendary 1960s rock icon, Chicago native and original member of the Byrds, returns to Beverly Arts Center with his wonderfully soft yet powerful voice for an evening of most memorable song and conversation. SouthScene spoke with McGuinn this week about his music, life and concerts. For starters, his last name is pronounced McGwinn. "That's how our family has always said it," McGuinn said. He was born Jim McGuinn, but during the rock era, a guru urged him to change it to Roger, a better fit with the universe. Asked if he still follows the guru, McGuinn explained, "No, I've returned to a more personal relationship with God, Jesus." Asked about the 1960s before the Byrds were universally recognized, McGuinn recalled the …

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Roads on Southland Stages Lead to Dublin, San Jose and the Old Ball Game

Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Frankfort, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos Hills, Tinley Park and more turn spotlights on for entertainment in the coming week.

Mr. Blotto heads to Beverly Arts Center with its distinct blend of every kind of rock music imaginable, from hard rock to country, to blues-rock to good old rock 'n' roll. When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 8 Where: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th Street Cost: $12, $10 members Information: 773-445-3838 and beverlyartcenter.org It’s fun. It’s tragic. It’s cheaper than cheap. The Drama Group presents a free and informal play reading of George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House. “Written between 1916 and 1917, Heartbreak House is a telling indictment of the generation responsible for the First World War," states the theater troupe’s information notes. "With its bold combination of high farce and bitter tragedy, Shaw’s work remains an uncannily …

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IPO, Guest Soprano Reach for Stars with 'Heavenly Voice'

Celestial sounds of Mahler, Mozart, Bach and Rachmaninoff complete Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's April concert program.

Why call a symphony concert—an event that's usually a spotlight for musical instruments—Heavenly Voice? “Oh, that’s easy to clarify,” said Carmen DeLeone, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) music director. Much of the concert focuses on concepts and impressions of celestial places, and one of the key pieces explores composer-conductor Gustav Mahler’s look at heaven through the eyes of a child, he said. Add a guest soloist to the mix, and the title is quite apt. The entire program grew around DeLeone’s and the IPO artistic committee’s decision, nearly two years ago, to recognize the 150th anniversary of Mahler’s birth (1860) and 100th year since his death (1911) during the current symphony season. Although other recent IPO performances …

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Yampolsky Takes Baton for IPO's 'Famous Fives'

Acclaimed conductor and Northwestern professor Victor Yampolsky guest conducts the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra through Schubert's and Shostakovich's fifth symphonies.

Born more than 100 years apart and in different countries, Austrian composer Franz Schubert and Russian Dmitri Shostakovich share more than musical brilliance. Both composed glorious fifth symphonies. On March 6, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra concert, Famous Fives, will fill the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center with the music of Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Minor and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in D minor. Maestro Victor Yampolsky returns as guest conductor for this program. Internationally acclaimed, Yampolsky currently holds a named chair in music performance at Northwestern University and serves as music director for the Peninsula Music Festival in Wisconsin's Door County. He also serves as guest conductor for …

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Dennis DeYoung and Second City Top This Weekend's Arts Picks

This week, we spotlight events in Beecher, Chicago Heights, Frankfort, Mokena, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Park Forest, Tinley Park and University Park.

Beecher Part-time Players Inc. presents Exit the Body, a wild comedy filled with little white lies and a few big ones, too. People are not who you think they are, but according to the theater release, the third act ties everything together “with a riotous chase to catch the bad guys.” When: 7 p.m., Feb. 25-26 Where: Beecher Community Hall, 673 Penfield St. Cost: $15 preferred seating, $12 general admission, $10 seniors More info: Tickets can be bought at the door or in advance at First Community Bank & Trust, 1111 Dixie Hwy., Beecher  Union Street Gallery unveils a new, national juried exhibit, Word and Numbers, with a “smart, city gallery feel," according to gallery information. Union Street Gallery exhibits always are free. When: A …

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Violinist Brings Beethoven Concerto to Life

Rachel Barton Pine, guest conductor Alexander Platt and the IPO celebrate the composer with concerts in Frankfort and Palos Heights.

Concert violinist Rachel Barton Pine colors her world outside the lines. When not on stage dazzling audiences with her extraordinary command of the violin, Pine explores her many musical passions as a member of the doom-thrash metal band Earthen Grave, playing the metal music she deems “relaxing.” The Chicago virtuosa performs this weekend with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra in two performances of Beethoven’s extraordinary Violin Concerto in D-Major. Aptly titled Beethoven & Pine, the concert program also includes Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major. Guest conductor Alexander Platt, music director for four Midwest orchestras, also has garnered rave reviews. He will take up the baton for both IPO performances…

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Southland Listens to Sounds of Season

Madrigal Magic, travelers' miracle and majesty of music bring holiday spirit to suburbs.

Tinley Park Hold on for a potpourri of holiday sounds as the Tinley Park Arts Alive! Jazz and Community Band, under the direction of Barbara Abarro, presents the Annual Holiday Concert. An eclectic performance of traditional tunes, contemporary holiday classics and jazz favorites begins at 3 p.m. Dec. 5 in the sparkling, all-new Tinley Park Performing Arts Center, 16801 80th Ave., Tinley Park. As one of the earliest 2010 holiday season gifts to the community, admission is free. More information about the concert and the community band is at (708) 342-4200. Under the direction of village entertainment guru Frann Carnivele-Sidlow, the Orland Park Theatre Troupe will stage A Candle in the Window, the story of a most unusual Christmas …

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