Rick Kogan News

WFMT and The Studs Terkel Radio Archive invite audiences into the history books with the new podcast Bughouse Square with Eve Ewing. Inspired by the legacy of the inimitable 20th century broadcaster and oral historian Studs Terkel, and supported by hours and hours of tape from the Studs Terkel Radio Archive, the podcast revisits historical figures and events once explored by Terkel-now unpacked for the 21st century. And there is no better guide to lead audiences through decades of American letters and culture than series host Eve Ewing, the prolific writer, scholar, and cultural organizer.

Praised by Billboard Magazine as having 'exciting vocal ability' and 'one of the most talented singers in town,' by WGN Radio's Rick Kogan, celebrated recording artist/vocalist/songwriter Laury Shelley commemorates her years as the long-time vocalist and duet partner of Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Michel Legrand, with a tribute concert honoring her mentor.

Praised by Billboard Magazine as 'a singer with exciting vocal ability,' singer/songwriter Laury Shelley is proud to announce the release of her long-awaited new CD EP. Time Is A Healer , covers a variety of genres: soul, r & b, funk, jazz, adult contemporary and pop power ballads. The album marks the emergence of a major artist, featuring five songs composed by Laury. The cornerstone of the album is a homage to her mentor and past work with Michel Legrand: Laury's electrifying, funk-tinged, version of the Oscar-winning The Windmills of Your Mind, the album's first single.

Chicago's Cabaret Queen Denise Tomasello will celebrate 40 years of entertaining Chicago, with a very special concert To Chicago With Love, at the Gold Coast's Drake Hotel Grand Ballroom, where she has the honor of being the first and only entertainer to ever give a concert at the legendary hotel.

Lampkin Music Group and Christopher Gines/Noctambulo @ Pangea presents 'A Musical Celebration of Jazz Legend Bob Dorough' starring Joanie Pallatto and Bradley Parker-Sparrow with special guests Martha Lorin, Christiana Moffa, Bill Nolte, Deanna Witkowski. Part of the Southport 40th Anniversary Celebration in NYC and Chicago Plus a CD Party for Joanie & Sparrow's new CD Float Out to Sea One Show Only! Noctambulo @ Pangea 178 2nd Ave (between 11th & 12th Streets) NY, NY 10003 212-995-0900 Monday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Music Charge: $25.00 online or $30.00 at the Door (Cash Only) Drink/Food Min: $20.00 http://www.cafenoctambulo.com/

Praised by Billboard Magazine as having 'exciting vocal ability' and as 'a singer of musical integrity,' by Kevin Moore of WSBC Radio/Chicago, celebrated recording artist/vocalist/songwriter Laury Shelley celebrates the release of her new single The Windmills of Your Mind, with a tribute concert to her mentor Oscar. Grammy and Emmy-award winning composer Michel LeGrand (Brian's Song, Yentl, Summer of '42, Lady Sings the Blues).

Joanie Pallatto & Bradley Parker-Sparrow "A Musical Journey" Songs of Jazz and Musical Theater with Special Guest: Bill Nolte  and pianist Deanna Witkowski  Cafe Noctambulo at Pangea Friday, September 9, 2016 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm 178 2nd Ave (btw 11th & 12th Sts) NY, NY 10003 - 212 995 0900

Praised as "a singer of musical integrity," by Kevin Moore of WSBC Radio/Chicago, celebrated recording artist/vocalist/songwriter Laury Shelley celebrates the release of her new single The Windmills of Your Mind, with her first Chicago concert in over two years. The concert will take place on Tuesday, June 14th at 7pm at the Uptown Underground, 4707 N Broadway, Chicago. Tickets are available online at UptownUnderground.Net.

The recipient of Chicago Cabaret Professional Gold Coast Award and winner of the After Dark Award for 'Outstanding Cabaret Performer,' Tomasello returns to the Skokie Theatre tonight, December 18, at 8pm to celebrate the centennial of Frank Sinatra in It Was A Very Good Year.

Heralded as "The Cabaret Queen of Chicago," by both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times, the legendary Denise Tomasello, will be making two very special guest performances this month in the Chicago area. These mark her first concert appearances since her triumphant SRO concerts at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre and The Metropolis Performing Arts Center.

The Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Chicago Public Library have announced that the 16th annual Carl Sandburg Literary Award will be presented to legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Universally heralded for his immense contributions to musical theater in a career spanning more than 50 years, Sondheim will be honored at the Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at The Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Road) on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Fresh off the popularity of July's RLife Live series, Chicago's newest hotspot to indulge and relax, Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, 1 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, has announced their exciting RLife lineup for August, featuring a delicious mashup of beverage and music choices for guests and locals alike. RLife Live events are a true sensory adventure transporting guests to a life less ordinary. Through these parties, guests can enhance the element of discovery with live events in the lobby and entertainment from local emerging artists. Entry to the events is complimentary, with food and beverage available for purchase.  

Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, is heating things up with a thrilling new doo-wop musical, The Signal, tonight, April 4 at 4 and 8 p.m. An alluring show for all ages, The Signal is filled with harmonious music and interactive dancing among audience members. The Signal recounts the stories of legendary artists who have become influential icons, while recapturing the soundtrack of their lives. Marked by Rick Kogan from the Chicago Tribune, as the show having a 'strong rhythm-and blues base', the 11-member cast is an 'ebullient bunch' that is ready to share some exhilarating fun with their audience.

One of Chicago's favorite duos, After Dark Award Winners Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael, will be presenting their brand new annual April show It's About Time. Enjoy 'a joyous intoxicating hour of music,' (NY Cabaret Scenes Magazine) as the award-winning duo explores songs about the many concepts of time.

One of Chicago's favorite duos, After Dark Award Winners Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael, will be presenting their brand new annual April show It's About Time. Enjoy 'a joyous intoxicating hour of music,' (NY Cabaret Scenes Magazine) as the award-winning duo explores songs about the many concepts of time.

Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, is heating things up with a thrilling new doo-wop musical, The Signal, on Saturday, April 4 at 4 and 8 p.m. An alluring show for all ages, The Signal is filled with harmonious music and interactive dancing among audience members. The Signal recounts the stories of legendary artists who have become influential icons, while recapturing the soundtrack of their lives. Marked by Rick Kogan from the Chicago Tribune, as the show having a "strong rhythm-and blues base", the 11-member cast is an "ebullient bunch" that is ready to share some exhilarating fun with their audience.

Deck the Halls, FA-LA-LA, and Jingle-Jangle your way through the 2014 Holiday Pops! concert featuring America's oldest chamber orchestra: the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and Chicago's most in-demand cabaret duo: After Dark Award- winners Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael.

'Life Itself,' (Magnolia Pictures) the acclaimed documentary chronicling the life of world renowned film critic Roger Ebert, is back on the big screen in Chicago for one night only this Wednesday as part of the Chicago International Film Festival.

Williams Street Repertory (WSR), winner of four BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, will end their 2013/14 Season with comedy: Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park. Directed by Regina Belt-Daniels, the charmingly engaging production opens May 2 at 8:00 pm, and runs for select dates and times through May 11 at Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake, Illinois.