Guide: West Suburban 2015 major venue preview

The weather outside is frightful, but local stages are heating up for the second halves of their season.

Everyone from legendary acts like Natalie Cole to up-and-comers like comedian Mike Birbiglia will be in the area this winter and spring, and youll want to clear your date book now.

You will definitely want to check out your favorite venue many have added to their lineups.

Elgin Arts Center

We have added a number of shows to our season, said Susanne Kepley, manager of marketing and patron services at Elgin Community College. That includes the returning favorite Under the Streetlamp on Mothers Day weekend, which features former cast members of Jersey Boys, she said.

Thats a show were so happy to have return to the Arts Center, she said. When they were starting out, we were one of the first venues to book the show and its really exciting to have the guys coming back. It feels like theyre coming home.

Theyre so talented and its been great to see the success of that show. They do a mix of doo-wop, Motown and rock n roll. Its a really fun night and one of the most excited audiences Ive seen are definitely the audiences coming out of Under the Streetlamp.

Another show thats been added is The Band tribute group The Weight on March 13, featuring members of The Band, The Levon Helm Band and friends.

The month kicks off with American Grands XX, a piano event that originated in the Fox Valley and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Its just so thrilling to see the joy people find in that event and its growing popularity, she said.

See the article here:
Guide: West Suburban 2015 major venue preview