City Winery Chicago Announces Special Holiday Show with AMERICAN IDOL Winner Kris Allen
By: Kaitlin Milligan Sep. 18, 2018
City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces a special holiday show with "American Idol" winner Kris Allen and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, September 20 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.
Saturday, October 20; 10:00 p.m. - 'Sweetest Day Cabaret' Added By Popular Demand!
Saturday, October 20; 7:00 p.m. - Previously Announced 'Aretha Franklin Tribute'
$35/$40/$45/$50
Chicago-based artist Terisa Griffin, affectionately called the "Empress of Soul," is an entertainer, songwriter, actress, producer, and philanthropist. Known for her electrifying voice and dynamic live performances, Griffin has toured internationally and is a former contestant of Season 3 of NBC's "The Voice." She has opened concerts for Will Downing, Crisette Michelle, The O?Jays, Roberta Flack, Patti LaBelle, Rahsaan Patterson, and Musiq SoulChild. After being mentored by Chicago's Own Jerry "Ice Man" Butler, Griffin landed national exposure singing backup for Diana Ross on an "Oprah" telecast.
At 10:00 p.m. on October 20, see Terisa Griffin's uncut and uncensored one-of-a-kind 'Sweetest Day Cabaret' featuring love ballads, house music, and Griffin's classic soul dipped in southern honey and sarcasm. This show will also include a surprise video drop.
Vusi Mahlasela - Township Tour
Sunday November 4; 7:00 p.m.
$25/$28/$32/$35
Vusi Mahlasela grew up in the Mamelodi township, just outside of Pretoria, South Africa, where he still resides. Due to the cultural boycott inflicted by Apartheid, black South African music was banned from the radio and, instead, American records like James Brown, Motown, and The Commodores were primarily heard on the airwaves. After the fall of Apartheid, Mahlasela was finally recorded his first album with Shifty Records/BMG Records-a collection of songs he'd been writing his whole life called When You Come Back. Since the release of his first album, Mahlasela has traveled the globe sharing his songs of truth and hope and sharing his country's past and promise for a better future. Mahlasela has shared the stage with Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Josh Groban, Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Masekela, and many more. He's also performed at the Skoll World Forum, The Elders annual meeting, Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday, Mandela Day, and more. His biggest 'gig' was in 2010 when Mahlasela helped ring in the World Cup in South Africa at Orlando Stadium in Soweto; "When You Come Back" also served as the theme song for ITV's World Cup coverage in the UK. Mahlasela's "Township" is an uplifting tribute to the music of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Dorothy Masuka, and Brenda Fassie while celebrating the 100th birthday of Nelson Mandela and nearly 25 years of freedom from apartheid.
Kris Allen - Somethin' About Christmas and VIP Meet & Greet
Tuesday, December 4
$25/$28/$32/$35
Although not the first contestant to play his own instrument on "American Idol", Kris Allen benefitted more than most from the experience, and his coffeehouse singer/songwriter vibe earned him a first-place finish in 2009. Allen emphasized his wide-ranging abilities as a musician, playing piano during a cover of "Ain't No Sunshine" and strumming the guitar for an acoustic take on Kanye West's "Heartless," securing him a win in the tough singing competition.
Shortly after "American Idol," Allen began to prep for the release of his debut album in late 2009, working with songwriters and producers including Eg White, Chris Daughtry, and David Hodges. The album's first single, "Live Like We're Dying," was released in September and peaked at number 89 on the singles charts, followed two months later by Allen's self-titled debut album. Allen returned in 2012 with his sophomore album, Thank You Camellia. The album found Allen working with a handful of producer/songwriters including former Sugarcult singer Tim Pagnotta, Nasri & Adam Messinger, and Boots Ottestad, among others. Letting You In arrived in 2016 and was his second consecutive release to debut in the Top 20 on Billboard's Independent chart. Allen brings his second Christmas album, Somethin' About Christmas, to City Winery Chicago this holiday, 2018. A limited number of Meet & Greet tickets are available for $50.
Wednesday, December 5
$25/$28/$32/$35
Joe Pug has it figured his career, if not life: Just write the songs that have to be written, play them for anybody who will listen, tour as if you had no home. Oh, and give your music away. At the age of 23, Pug packed up his belongings and pointed his car towards Chicago. Working as a carpenter by day, Pug spent nights playing the guitar he hadn't picked up since his teenage years. Using ideas originally slated for a play he was writing called "Austin Fish," Pug began creating the sublime lyrical arrangements that would become the Nation of Heat EP. After playing over 200 shows, Pug took a brief respite to record his full-length debut. If Nation of Heat heralded the arrival of a talent to watch, the full-length Messenger assigns Pug a deserved spot among the finest songwriters of his generation.
Procol Harum - Still There'll Be More
Wednesday-Thursday, February 20-21
$65/$70/$75/$85
Procol Harum is arguably the most successful "accidental" group creation with their "A Whiter Shade of Pale," a monster hit selling 10 million copies worldwide. The band evolved from a studio ensemble into a successful live act with their music built around an eclectic mix of blues-based rock riffs and grand classical themes. With singer/pianist Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid providing the band's entire repertory, their music evolved in decidedly linear fashion. At their most accessible, as on "A Whiter Shade of Pale" and "Conquistador," they were one of the most popular of progressive rock bands and their singles outselling all rivals. Today, their most ambitious album tracks still have a strong following with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoring the band for "A Whiter Shade of Pale" with induction into the brand-new Singles category.
Thursday, March 7
$35/$38/$45/$48
Best known as a member of Todd Rundgren's offshoot prog rock/new wave band Utopia, bassist/singer Kasim Sulton is also one of rock's most in-demand session musicians as well as a top solo artist. Before Sulton made his debut with Utopia, he contributed bass and vocals to an album that Rundgren was producing at the time, Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell, which would go on to become one of rock's all-time best sellers. 1977 saw the release of two Utopia albums, Ra and Oops! Although Utopia wouldn't issue another studio recording until 1980, the 1978 live album Back to the Bars contained several appearances of Utopia as well and, in August 1979, Utopia was one of several bands that opened for Led Zeppelin during their pair of mammoth shows at Knebworth Park in England. In addition to Utopia's sporadic appearances during this period, Sulton kept himself busy appearing on other artists' records -- Steve Hillage's L, Rick Derringer's Guitars and Women, Tom Robinson's TRB Two, and Shaun Cassidy's Wasp. 1980 would go down as one of the busiest in Utopia's recording career, as they issued a pair of widely varying releases. First up was the exceptional Adventures in Utopia, which spawned the group's lone Top 40 single of their career, "Set Me Free" (sung by Sulton). The album barely missed the Top 30. Beginning in the late '90s, Sulton began appearing regularly at such New York City nightclubs as the Bitter End. Now with 5 solo albums under his belt, Sulton tours the country with a mix of new and old tracks that have spanned his incredibly varied career.
All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8 p.m., unless noted.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on September 20 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.
Vusi Mahlasela, Kris Allen, Joe Pug, Procol Harum, and Kasim Sulton 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: John Popper (Sept. 18); John Pizzarelli Trio (Sept. 19); Lera Lynn (Sept. 21); Matthew Perryman Jones with Molly Parden (Sept. 23); Taj Mahal Trio (Sept. 24); Willy Porter Band with Martyn Joseph (Sept. 28); Jump, Little Children with Michael Flynn (Oct. 1); Matt Andersen with Terra Lightfoot (Oct. 2); Jane Monheit (Oct. 3); Charlie Hunter Trio (Oct. 4); John Lennon Birthday Retrospective featuring Phil Angotti, Tommi Zender & Casey McDonough (Oct. 7, 1p); Trace Bundy & Sungha Jung (Oct. 7); Crystal Bowersox (Oct. 8); Basia (Oct. 10, 6:30 & 9p); Chicago Plays The Stones featuring Ronnie Baker Brooks & Billy Branch (Oct. 12, 8 & 11p); Incognito featuring Maysa (Oct. 14, 5 & 8p); Surabhi Ensemble Global Tour Project with Massamba Diop (Oct. 15, 7:30p); Grant-Lee Phillips & Josh Rouse (Oct. 17); Steven Page Trio with Wesley Stace (Oct. 18); Isaac Mizrahi (Oct. 19, 7:30p); Wasabassco Burlesque (Oct. 19, 10:30p); Terisa Griffin presents A Tribute to Aretha Franklin (Oct. 20); Jim Messina (Oct. 21); WildClaw Theatre Presents - A Taste of Deathscribe (Oct. 22); The English Beat (Oct. 24, 7p); Algebra Blessett (Oct. 25); Kevin Griffin (Oct. 26); Matisyahu (Oct. 28-30); David Cook (Oct. 31); Paul Thorn with Trapper Schoepp (Nov. 1); Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene (Nov. 3, 7 & 10p); Peter Asher & Jeremy Clyde (Nov. 6); Girls Gotta Eat - Live Podcast (Nov. 7); Keller Williams Duo with Danton Boller (Nov. 8); David Phipps (Nov. 9); John Hiatt (Nov. 10-11); Eliane Elias (Nov. 13); Joe Henry (Nov. 15); Jon McLaughlin & Matt Wertz (Nov. 18, 4 & 8p); The Expendables (Nov. 19); J Mascis with Luluc (Nov. 20-21); 30DB featuring Jeff Austin & Brendan Bayliss (Nov. 23, 7 & 10p); BoDeans (Nov. 24, 7 & 10p; Nov. 25, 7p); Canned Heat (Nov. 28); Dwele (Nov. 29, 7 & 9:30p); Jane Lynch (Nov. 30, 7 & 10p); An Evening with Suzy Bogguss (Dec. 2, 7p); Los Lobos (Dec. 9-12); Vienna Teng with Katie Rose (Dec. 16); Kurt Elling (Dec. 19-20); Michael McDermott (Dec 21-23); Shemekia Copeland (Dec. 26-27); Avery*Sunshine (Dec. 30; Dec. 31, 7:30 & 11p; Jan. 1, 5p); Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues featuring Tracy Nelson (Jan. 13, 7p); Randy Bachman (Jan. 24-25); Ron Pope (Mar. 8-9) and John Parr (Apr. 10).
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. The West Loop's only fully operational winery has produced dozens of in-house wines sourced from vineyards in California, Oregon, Washington, Argentina and Chile, including a Wine Enthusiast 92-point 2015 Verna's 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, please visit www.citywinery.com.
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