Flamenco Fest, Langston Hughes Celebration and More Coming Up at City Winery Chicago
By: BWW News Desk Dec. 27, 2016
The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, December 29, at noon at citywinery.com/chicago.
Film Screening: Miss ShaRon Jones
Wednesday, January 11
Free General Admission with RSVP
Two-time Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple (Harlan County U.S.A.) shines a powerful, inspiring and entertaining spotlight on contemporary soul queen ShaRon Jones with this 2016 documentary. After years in obscurity and being told she was "too black, too short, too old," Jones finally broke-through in her 40s and has been hailed as a modern-day female James Brown. As she prepares to release her much-anticipated new album, ShaRon Jones comes face-to-face with the greatest challenge of her life: a grave cancer diagnosis. Follow this tour de force over the course of an eventful and remarkable year as she struggles to hold her band The Dap Kings together while battling her way back to the stage with the unstoppable determination of a true soul survivor.
ShaRon Jones lost her battle with cancer on November 18, 2016.
Chicago Philharmonic Brunch Series
Sundays, Jan. 15/Feb. 19/Mar. 19; 12:00 p.m.
$25 General Admission
Sunday, January 15: Broadway on Randolph
The Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players present Broadway classics by Gershwin and Bernstein, two of the most beloved of all American composers. As members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, these performers are no strangers to telling stories with music, and this music is full of them. Ed Harrison (vibes and percussion) adds the unique insights of someone who has worked in the past with Bernstein himself. Enjoy selections from Porgy & Bess, West Side Story, and other timeless music, along with delicious brunch offered by City Winery.
Sunday, February 19: Sounds of Change
From Hendrix to Shostakovich, the transforming world spread its message though the music of the times. As some artists protested war and tyranny, others broke the molds of established forms. Rock music was the voice of a generation, and the youth culture reveled in their new-found freedom. Join the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players in an uplifting, entertaining ode to this invigorating era!
Sunday, March 19: Mozart & Mimosas
This unusual presentation of Mozart and Schumann quartets is probably closer to what Mozart expected out of a concert than it might seem, given the composer's storied, raucous chamber parties and letters indicating "rapture" and "applause" in the middle of performances of his symphonies. No one is claiming this performance will be exactly like one of Mozart's day, but that doesn't mean we can't kick off our shoes and have some fun! As some of Chicago's finest classical musicians satiate your appetite for great music with these two beautiful works, enjoy delicious brunch within this gorgeous venue situated in Chicago's gastronomic West Loop.
Happy Birthday Langston Hughes: A Celebration in Poetry, Prose and Song - Featuring ReGina Taylor, J. Ivy, Terisa Griffin, Lynne Jordan, Malcolm London and more!
Wednesday, February 1
$28/$35/$38/$42
Start Black History Month by celebrating the 115th birthday of legendary American author, activist and thinker Langston Hughes. The evening will include readings of Hughes' poetry and music that he wrote, inspired and/or enjoyed. A portion of the net proceeds will be donated to Donda's House, a not-for-profit founded by Che "Rhymefest" Smith and Donnie Smith. Special guests include Golden Globe Award-winning actress ReGina Taylor; critically-acclaimed spoken word artist J. Ivy; the "Empress of Soul" Terisa Griffin; Chicago chanteuse and City Winery Chicago favorite Lynne Jordan; local poet, activist, educator and musician Malcolm London and more!
Las Guitarras de España and Intercultural Music Production present "The Andalusian Trail: The Roots of Flamenco" - Chicago Flamenco Festival Kick Off Concert
Tuesday, February 21
$25 general admission
The 15th Chicago Flamenco Festival is presented by the Instituto Cervantes, City Winery Chicago, Old Town School of Folk Music and the Flamenco Arts Center. This year's extended, 5-week festival kicks off with an evening of music and dance featuring the shared cultural history of medieval Andalusia to the present by members of the ensemble Surabhi (founded by Saraswathi Ranganathan). The performance will include original and traditional repertoire with Spanish guitar, Arabo-Andalusian poetry, music by Ronnie Malley on oud and harmonium as well as Rajasthani folk dance by Kinnari Vora and flamenco and Mid-Eastern dance by Marisela Tapia. The evening will also feature Saraswathi Ranganathan (veena), Carlo Basile (guitar), Dhananjay Kunte (tabla), Diego Alonso (guitar), Greg Nergaard (bass), and Bob Garrett (percussion).
Thursday, March 2
$28/$30/$32/$35
Laith Al-Saadi has always had the perfect combination of Midwestern hustle and incredible musical chops - honed at the University of Michigan school of music in his hometown of Ann Arbor and on stages across the country working with legends like Taj Mahal, Luther Allison, Buddy Guy, Son Seals, Gregg Allman and B.B. King. In 2016, Al-Saadi won America's hearts and a spot in the finale of NBC's "The Voice." Now, he's poised to bring his authentic blend of blues, soul and classic rock to audiences around the world. Meet & greet tickets are available for $40.
Tues March 7
$35/$38/$42/$45
The Texas-born, Louisiana-raised musical storyteller Marcia Ball has earned worldwide fame for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she strolls onto the stage. Her groove-laden New Orleans boogie, deeply soulful ballads and rollicking Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music fans all over the world. The title track of her new album, The Tattooed Lady And The Alligator Man, is an irresistible tale of true love at the traveling carnival. It's a story that nobody but Ball could spin, filled with vivid details, universal truths, and a rambunctious sense of fun and desire. With raucous horns punctuating Ball's legendary piano pounding and emotional, melodic vocals, the song kicks off a CD of eleven dazzling originals and one stirring cover.
Ball's received a total of six Living Blues Awards and nine Blues Music Awards (and has a whopping 42 nominations). She's received five Grammy Award nominations, including for four of her five previous Alligator albums.
Wed April 12
$12/$15/$18/$22
Internationally recognized author and spoken word artist Shane Koyczan has emerged as a creator of poetry that dares to belong to the people and speak directly to them in their own voice. In 2013, he collaborated with animators to make the anti-bullying viral video "To This Day" which has had over 13 million views, and he performed a customized version "For the Bullied and the Beautiful" to acclaim at the 2013 International TED Conference in Long Beach, California. Shane shapes his words and delivers in multi mediums from authored, video, spoken word, operatic, and musically performed.
City Winery also announces Brian Collins opens for FrEddy Jones Band on Jan. 1 and Tristan opens for Vanessa Carlton on Feb. 24.
All City Winery events are open to all ages and start at 8 p.m., unless noted.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, December 29, at noon. Only members of City Winery Chicago's signature VinoFile program have access to ticket sales today in addition to receiving: a waiver of ticket service fees; free valet parking; Restaurant Loyalty Rewards, such as a free pair of VIP concert tickets for every $500 spent on food & beverage in the restaurant; exclusive membership-only events; and access to the proprietary City Winery Virtual Sommelier, which helps make suggestions for wines one might enjoy based on past consumption at the venue.
The Langston Hughes celebration, Laith Al-Saadi, Chicago Flamenco Festival, Chicago Philharmonic, Marcia Ball, Shane Koyczan, Brian Collins and Tristan join a diverse mix of the most respected names in pop, rock, jazz, blues, world music, theater, dance, spoken word and comedy presented at City Winery Chicago, including previously announced headliners and supporting acts: Poi Dog Pondering (Dec. 27-30); Lalah Hathaway (Dec. 31, 7:30 & 11pm); FrEddy Jones Band with Brian Collins (Jan. 1, 7pm); Chicago Jazz Orchestra featuring Dee Alexander (Jan. 3); Funkadesi (Jan. 4, 7:30pm); The Flat Five (Jan. 6); Steve Earle with Colter Wall (Jan. 9-10); Film Screening: Miss ShaRon Jones (Jan. 11); FrEddie Jackson (Jan. 13); Chicago Philharmonic Brunch (Jan. 15); RES with avery r. young & deacon board featuring DJ Mark Flava (Jan. 15, 6pm); Kris Kristofferson (Jan. 16-18); Hot Club of Cowtown (Jan. 19); Kevin Griffin (Jan. 20-21); Amy Black Band (Jan. 22; 12pm); Josh Ritter (Jan. 22-23); Steve Earle with Al Scorch (Jan. 24); Steve Earle with Kelsey Waldon (Jan. 25); Alejandro Escovedo (Jan. 26-28); Louie Anderson (Jan. 29, 5 & 7:30pm); Luke Wade with Matt McAndrew (Jan. 31); Langston Hughes Celebration (Feb. 1); Jon B (Feb. 3; 7 & 10pm); Leftover Salmon (Feb. 5, 1pm); Laura Jane Grace (Feb. 5); Anthony David (Feb. 6); Stephen Lynch (Feb. 7-8); Holly Bowling (Feb. 9); 10,000 Maniacs (Feb. 10, 7 & 10pm; Feb. 11, 5 & 8pm); Geoff Tate (Feb. 12); Doyle Bramhall ll (Feb. 15); Kruger Brothers (Feb. 16); Head for the Hills (Feb. 17); The Verve Pipe (Feb. 18); Chicago Philharmonic Brunch (Feb. 19); Paris Combo (Feb. 19); Chicago Flamenco Festival Kick Off (Feb. 21); Ana Popovic (Feb. 22); Assad Brothers (Feb. 23); Vanessa Carlton with Tristan (Feb. 24); Jack Ingram (Feb. 26); Jeannie Tanner (Feb. 27, 7:30pm); Kathy Mattea featuring Bill Cooley (Feb. 28); Laith Al-Saadi (Mar. 2); Tom Paxton featuring The DonJuans (Mar. 4); Sierra Hull (Mar. 5); Marcia Ball (Mar. 7); Subdudes (Mar. 8-9); Cherish the Ladies (Mar. 10; 7pm); Los Lonely Boys with Sugar Dirt and Sand (Mar. 12-13); Howie Day (Mar. 16-17); Chicago Philharmonic Brunch (Mar. 19); The High Kings (Mar. 19); Idan Raichel (Mar. 20-21); Al Stewart featuring The Empty Pockets (Mar. 23, 7pm); Joey Alexander Trio (Mar. 24, 7 & 9:30pm); Rodney Crowell (Mar. 25); Candlebox (Mar. 31); Shane Koyczan (Apr. 12); Morgan James with Andy Allo (Apr. 19) and Emin & Friends (May 30).
Opened in 2012, City Winery Chicago is a fully operational winery, restaurant with outdoor patio, concert hall and private event space located in the heart of the West Loop at 1200 W. Randolph, in the historic urban Fulton Market district. Once a refrigerated food distribution warehouse, the 1911 building has been transformed into a contemporary 33,000 square foot haven for those passionate about wine, music and culinary arts. The décor evokes the romance of being in wine country, from the exposed stainless steel fermenting tanks and French oak barrels, to the aroma of fermenting grapes. Chicago's only fully operation winery has produced dozens of in-house wines sourced from vineyards in California, Oregon, Washington, Argentina and Chile, including a Wine Enthusiast 90-point 2012 Bien Nacido Vineyard Reserve pinot noir. With more than 400 unique producers from around the world City Winery is recognized with 2014 and 2015 Best of Awards of Excellence "for having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world" by Wine Spectator. The globally inspired, locally sourced, wine-focused food menu is conceived for pairing and sharing. The concert hall accommodates up to 300 guests, all seated at tables with complete beverage and dining service, ensuring a comfortable "listening room" experience enhanced by a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system. Riedel is the official and exclusive provider of glassware, showing City Winery's commitment to enjoying quality wine in a quality vessel. American Airlines is the Official Airline and Virgin Hotels Chicago is the Official Hotel of City Winery. For more information, visit www.citywinery.com.
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