Check Out Some of Our Past Performances
Chicago Mass Choir
April 2023
With the soulful force of a traditional gospel choir, the Chicago Mass Choir has thrilled audiences around the globe with its penetrating vocals, dynamic musicianship, and stirring messages of hope and encouragement.
The Chicago Mass Choir has had no less than seventeen albums reach the Billboard gospel charts. It has garnered two Grammy, three Dove, and more than ten Stellar Award nominations. The group has appeared on several television programs, including BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, Windy City Live and the Allstate Gospel Super Fest.
George Maurer Group
March 2023
For over 20 years, the acclaimed George Maurer Group has been consistently packing the Minneapolis’ Dakota Jazz Club and Midwestern theatrical venues to capacity, mixing just the right proportions of refinement and fun, playing straight-ahead jazz with their trademark lighthearted flair. Their music adds a note of elegance – and a nice dash of energy – to your evening, and their repertoire of swinging classics by legends like Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and Cole Porter packs the dance floor set after set. The George Maurer Group’s seat-of-the-pants musical style and witty between-song banter fills the room with contagious enthusiasm.
Six Appeal
February 2023
A world class vocal ensemble infused with impeccable comedic timing and the energy and vitality of a rock band. Swearing off instruments, the award-winning vocal band takes you on a journey that spans decades of music, performing classic oldies, current chart toppers, and catchy original tunes – all sung a cappella.
Despite their cheeky group name, the antics of these six young people provide a good-natured atmosphere for their electrifying performance. A Six Appeal show will split your sides, feed your musical sweet tooth, and leave you wondering how in the world they pulled it off just with voices. They are two-time global champions of the genre! Over their decade in the industry, Six Appeal has collaborated with notable artists Andy Grammer, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, and Thundercat. For multiple years in a row, the group has been featured at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party singing on the red carpet. Whether on the stage or serenading the stars, Six Appeal continues to evolve, elevating classic songs to appeal across generations.
Kathy Mattea
November 2022
Two GRAMMY wins, four CMA Awards, four #1 country singles, and five gold albums (plus a platinum collection of her greatest hits). The dream almost ended though, when Mattea entered her 50s and began to find her voice changing.
What followed was a three year journey through life challenges and vocal glitches, a trying time of personal anguish and professional uncertainty that threatened to silence her permanently. Mattea dug in with a vocal coach, re-committed to her music, and emerged with the most poignant album of her career, “Pretty Bird”, a chronicle of her journey, song by song, back to singing for the sheer joy of it.
Exquisitely arranged and delivered with the kind of subtlety and nuance that can only come from a lifetime of heartbreak and triumph, ‘Pretty Bird’ is a title Kathy Mattea inhabits quite literally, and it’s a welcome reintroduction to one of country music’s most enduring and beloved figures.
Mads Tolling and the Mads Men
October 2022
Internationally renowned violinist, composer and two-time Grammy Award-winner Mads Tolling is a former member of the Turtle Island Quartet and The Stanley Clarke Band. As a leader in Mads Tolling & The Mads Men, Mads celebrates the music of the 1960s with his own distinctive style and innovative flair.
Mads Tolling & The Mads Men bring a fun and exciting program that is as nostalgic as it is contemporary, with re-imagined classic songs from 1960s television, film and radio. Repertoire in Playing the 60s: Music of the Mad Men Era ranges from “Mission Impossible” and “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly” to “A Taste of Honey” and “Georgia on my Mind.”
Since 2021, Mads has been a member of Bob Weir & Wolf Bros project as part of the Wolf Pack with tours across the US, including at Red Rocks, The Greek Theatre and Radio City Music Hall. Mads has written several arrangements of Grateful Dead tunes for the band, some of which are now also part of the Mads Men repertoire.
Apollo Chorus of Chicago
April 2022
The Apollo Chorus, an auditioned, volunteer choir was founded in 1872 and is one of the oldest choral societies in the nation and the oldest musical organization in Chicago. They have performed Handel’s “Messiah” every December since 1879.
The Chorus was founded in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, in an effort to restore civic pride and boost the morale of Chicagoans following incredible devastation. Since 1872 the Chorus has continued to be a welcoming community of singers who are drawn together by their mutual love of music and their dedication to the cultural life of Chicago.
Bobby Horton: Songs and Stories of the Civil War
March 2022
Dressed as a 19th century performer, using musical instruments of the period, Bobby explores the stories of both the North and sought through the music they loved. Songs portray the struggles, hopes, and fears during this long and bloody conflict.
Bobby has also produced and performed music scores for sixteen PBS films by Ken Burns – including “The Civil War”, and “Baseball,” two films for The A&E network, and twenty-one films for The National Park Service. His series of recordings of authentic period music has been acclaimed by historical organization and publications through America and Europe.
Barron Ryan: Pianist
February 2022
The pianist that Smithsonian Magazine recently named One of Ten Innovators to Watch in 2021.
Barron Ryan’s love for music has always been divided. The son of two musicians, he grew up
in a house filled with sounds ranging from Mozart to Michael Jackson. So when it comes to his
own music, he’s not content to draw on just one influence. He combines them all into a
musical adventure that’s vintage yet fresh, historical yet hip, classic yet cool.
Shout Section Big Band
November 2021
Shout Section Big Band is Chicagoland’s own professional jazz big band and has become one of the Midwest’s best big bands. Comprised of some of the most exciting veteran and up-and-coming musicians, the band is popular with jazz fans and swing dancers and performs classic big band jazz from the 1930’s and 40’s, but also adapts modern hits to the big band style. Just when you think you know where the band is going, they’ll throw you a very entertaining curveball.
Wayne Issleb as President Ulysses S. Grant
October 2021
Wayne Issleb portraying Grant, takes you on a journey from his young years to the very end, back to the cottage where he had just days to live. Grant narrates his most important moments in life, which eventually brought him to the presidency.
Chicago Philharmonic: Songs of the Beatles
February 2020
Your favorite Beatles songs performed by the talented Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players. The titled “All You Need Is Love” tour played to sold-out shows.
The Roosevelts: A Conversation with The Rough Rider & The New Dealer
November 2019
Adam Lindquist, as Teddy Roosevelt, is back along with Gary Stamm portraying Franklin D. Roosevelt. Get firsthand insight into what made these two incredible leaders.
The Jimmys
September 2019
A powerhouse, 7 pc. band influenced by raw Chicago Blues to second line New Orleans funk. The Jimmys have toured throughout the US & Europe.
The Jazz Consortium
April 2019
The Jazz Consortium Big Band is a swinging, rocking, roaring 17-piece Chicago big band that celebrates the best Swing and Jazz-Rock big band music that appeals to all ages.
Featuring well-known music from such iconic big bands as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller, and contemporary big bands like Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and Gordon Goodwin, plus original compositions by band members.
Chicago Philharmonic – Jazz Meets Broadway & The Cinema
March 2019
A jazz quartet from the Chicago Philharmonic performs renditions of the popular show tunes and movie themes you know! The talented Chicago Philharmonic musicians will keep you tapping your foot as they perform the hits.
Guys on Ice
February 2019
Fer cryin’ out loud, ya can’t get more Wisconsin than singing, dancing, wise cracking ice fishermen! Fred Alley and James Kaplan’s popular musical is set in an ice shanty and features the talented Doug Mancheski and Steve Koehler as Marvin and Lloyd.
The buddies ham up the regional accents, delivering songs like “Ode to a Snowmobile Suit” (“From the top of your hat to the tip of your boot, when it’s 30 below, there’s no substitute for the comfort and warmth of your snowmobile suit”).
The Marlins
November 2018
The Marlins perform great country, rock, big band, popular radio tunes from the 60 – 80’s with brothers – Gary, Jace, Rick and Robert!
The Marlins have shared the stage with Lee Greenwood, The Smothers Brothers, Randy Travis and more. Their 2012 song, “I Believe in America,” is featured at the New York 9/11 Memorial Museum.
Randy Otto as Winston Churchill
October 2018
One of the world’s charismatic leaders, Sir Winston Churchill as portrayed by Randy Otto. Randy has carefully honed his humorous, poignant and astonishing relevant theatrical homage to Churchill.
“I have heard many people attempt to impersonate the role of my great-grandfather but Randy Otto takes the role to a whole new level. Randy IS Winston Churchill,” states Jonathan Sandys, great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill.
David Thoreson
April 2018
Photographer and world explorer David Thoreson presented stunning photography and fantastic narratives about modern exploration and major environmental issues such as climate change, plastics in the ocean, arctic ice loss and more.
Ring of Kerry
March 2018
A bursting-with-energy Irish music group that captures the hearts of listeners!
UW Whitewater Chamber Singers & Vocal Jazz Ensemble
February 2018
These select ensembles of voices from across the UW campus perform a wide variety of repertoire covering all styles.
Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players
November 2017
“One of the Country’s Finest Symphonic Orchestras” (Chicago Tribune)
The chamber players draw from this vast pool of versatile musicians to perform for communities.
The Hornheads
October 2017
Since 1991, this group of extraordinarily talented horn players has been gathering international acclaim from artists and critics alike. The Hornheads have performed and recorded with artists such as Prince, Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart and more.
Six Appeal
April 2017
A Cappella sensation, Six Appeal electrified everyone with their songs spanning genres of pop, country, classic rock, jazz, R&B, and more!
An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt
February 2017
Reenactor Adam Linquist mesmerized audiences as he recounted periods of Teddy’s unique life and exploits.
Isthmus Brass Christmas
December 2016
Wisconsin’s premiere large brass ensemble, comprised of the finest professional brass players in the Midwest!
Film, “End of Fall”, written and directed by Joselito Seldera
October 2016
Joselito introduced the exclusive screening of his psychological thriller, End of Fall. The film won several independent movie awards, including Best Director at the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival.