Highlights include the return of City Winery Chicago's December traditions with Los Lobos, Tab Benoit, Michael McDermott and Poi Dog Pondering plus a Toy Drive with Ginuwine, back-to-back New Year's Eve concerts from Chicago's GRAMMY award-winning R&B singer Lalah Hathaway and more.
Wednesday, November 23; 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.
$64/$68/$74/$78
Ginuwine was one of R&B's preeminent love men during the '90s heyday of hip-hop soul. Initially teamed with Timbaland, the most innovative producer of the late '90s, Ginuwine's sultry, seductive crooning earned him a substantial female following and made him a regular presence on the R&B charts, even after the futuristic production he favored was eclipsed by the more organic, retro-leaning neo-soul movement. Meet & Greet tickets are available for both shows for $25, concert admission not included.
Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to each concert to be donated to Chicago children in need during the winter holidays.
Big Bad VooDoo Daddy's Wild & Swingin' Holiday Party
Sunday, November 27, 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
$35/$40/$45/$50
2016 marks the 23rd anniversary of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's remarkable arrival onto the music scene. Since its formation in the early nineties in Ventura, California, the band has toured virtually nonstop, performing on average over 150 shows a year, and has produced a sizable catalog of recorded music, with sales of over two million albums to date. Early on, during their legendary residency at the Derby nightclub in Los Angeles, they reminded the world, during the grunge era no less, that it was still cool to swing. The band, cofounded by singer Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, was at the forefront of the swing revival of that time, blending a vibrant fusion of the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and Dixieland, with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture. After 23 years, 10 records, over 2700 live shows, and countless appearances in film and television, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is showing no signs of slowing down, and is looking forward to celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2018.
Delta Rae: Winter Acoustic Tour with Special Guests Penny & Sparrow
Tuesday, November 29
$28/$32/$36/$40
It's been a busy year for Delta Rae, the relentlessly hard working six-piece rock band from Durham, NC, whose sophomore album After It All came out in 2015. Since the release of their debut album Carry The Fire in 2012 and 2013's follow-up EP Chasing Twisters, Delta Rae has been profiled everywhere from NPR and Time to Forbes. VH1 hand selected them for their "You Oughta Know" Artist of The Month program, and they performed twice on both The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Conan. Live performance is where Delta Rae truly flourish, having spent the last year and a half playing to sold out venues from coast to coast, even sharing the stage with First Lady Michelle Obama when they performed during a Democratic rally at UNC Chapel Hill. They've played pretty much every festival under the sun, including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits and Voodoo and are excited to be hitting the road again.
From the heart of Texas, Penny & Sparrow are Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke. The former roommates now tour the world inspired by alt country, a love of musicals and a vast array of books that include "The Fault in Our Stars" and "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius." Their most recent record, Struggle Pretty, was released independently and landed #2 on iTunes Singer/Songwriter and Top 50 Billboard at #49.
Rhett Miller's 2nd Annual Holiday Extravaganza
Thursday, December 1
$25/$28/$32/$35
Rhett Miller is the front man and main songwriter of the hard-charging rock 'n' roll quartet Old 97's as well as an accomplished solo artist. In addition to his 9 studio albums with the Old 97's, Miller has released 7 solo albums: Mythologies (1989), The Instigator (2002), The Believer (2006), Rhett Miller (2009), a live covers album The Interpreter Live at Largo (2011), The Dreamer (2012), and The Traveler (2015). Miller has also written short stories, essays, and articles that have appeared in Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, The Atlantic, and Salon.
Dan Zanes: Holiday Sing-a-Long Brunch Show
Sunday, December 11; 11:00 a.m. show
GA - $20 advance / $25 day of show
Grammy Award-winner Dan Zanes performs exuberant, social music for enthusiastic crowds of kids and kid sympathizers. His concerts are an old-fashioned interactive experience where people of all-ages sing and dance. Zanes' widely-acclaimed music has been featured on Sesame Street, Playhouse Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO Family and Sprout.
Sunday-Wednesday, December 11-14
$60/$65/$75/$80
Los Lobos, one of America's most distinctive and original bands, returns for their 5th consecutive December engagement with a four-night stand. Best known for "La Bamba," Los Lobos draws equally from rock 'n' roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues and traditional Spanish and Mexican music. Since their first recordings, they have found ways to redefine and expand their sound, without ever straying from the musical traditions that form the heart and soul of the band.
Saturday, December 17; 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.
$28/$32/$36/$40
Acclaimed bluesman Tab Benoit, Louisiana's number-one roots export, returns to City Winery Chicago. Benoit won the dual awards of B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Best Contemporary Male Performer at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis. In 2006, he received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album for Brother to the Blues, a collaboration with Louisiana's LeRoux. Benoit also starred in the IMAX motion picture Hurricane on the Bayou, a documentary of Hurricane Katrina's effects and a call to restore the wetlands.
Chicago Philharmonic's "St. Nick in Shades"
Sunday, December 18; 12:00 p.m.
$25 General Admission
The Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players, a subgroup of the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, offer fresh interpretations of seasonal favorites with expert jazzers Cheryl Wilson, Jim Gailloreto and Jeremy Kahn. The program includes season classics, including Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" and Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," along with newer tunes like "Where Are You Christmas?" from How the Grinch Stole Christmas and "Grownup Christmas Wish List."
Shemekia Copeland's Holiday Blues Bash
Sunday, December 18; 5:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
$28/$34/$38/$42
Heir to the rich tradition of soul-drenched divas like Ruth Brown, Etta James and koko Taylor, blast-furnace voiced Shemekia Copeland was presented with Taylor's crown by her daughter at the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival and given the honor of the new "Queen of the Blues" by official proclamation of the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. This December, she performs a holiday-themed show.
Whether she's belting out a raucous blues-rocker, firing up a blistering soul-shouter, bringing the spirit to a gospel-fueled R&B rave-up or digging deep down into a subtle, country-tinged ballad, Shemekia Copeland sounds like no one else. With a voice that is alternately sultry, assertive and roaring, her wide-open vision of contemporary blues, roots and soul music showcases the evolution of a passionate artist with a modern musical and lyrical approach. With her eighth and newest album Outskirts of Love and a packed tour schedule, Copeland has her eyes fixed firmly on the future as she continues to break new musical ground.
Michael McDermott's 5th Annual "Mischief & Mistletoe"
Wednesday-Friday, December 21-23
$28/$32/$35/$38
Described by author Stephen King as "one of the best songwriters in the world and possibly the greatest undiscovered rock 'n' roll talent of the last 20 years," Michael McDermott's brand of rock 'n' roll brims with the kind of well-honed style and wisdom that can only come from a career on the road and a pedigree in the studio. Effortlessly blending natural folk sensibility, pop hooks and honest rock, McDermott's music is as much for the outcast as the congregation. It's an exploration of the dark corners of life's journey and it resonates middle class truths through the passionate filter of a kid that grew up on Chicago's Irish South Side.
Christmas Eve (and First Night of Hannukah) for Jews
Saturday, December 24
$20/$25 General Admission
For Jewish people, Christmas Eve used to mean two things: Chinese food and a movie. Until now. After three successful productions at City Winery New York, comedian and Chicago native Joel Chasnoff brings Christmas Eve for Jews, a 90-minute stand-up show also featuring John Roy and Aaron Freeman to City Winery Chicago on what is also the first night of Hannukah!
Joel Chasnoff is a stand-up comedian and author of the comic memoir The 188th Crybaby Brigade about his service in the Israeli Army. A graduate of Evanston High School and Solomon Schechter in Skokie, Chasnoff has performed his unique brand of uplifting, experienced-based Jewish humor in nine countries, including Israeli late-night TV and more than 1,000 Jewish events in the U.S., Israel, Australia and Europe.
John Roy has appeared on Conan, @midnight, The Tonight Show, The Late, Late Show and Last Comic Standing. He's been a writer on projects for Comedy Central and MTV, and co-written numerous videos for Funny or Die, including the IFC web series "Maron in Space." Roy has been a guest at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Laugh Fest in Grand Rapids and the Just For Laughs festival here and in Montreal.
Aaron Freeman is a commentator on NPR's flagship news program, All Things Considered, and co-wrote and directed the stage comedy The Arab/Israeli Comedy Hour. Freeman has performed with The Second City, and as a stand-up comedian, he is a member of the quartet the Israeli/Palestinian Comedy Tour.
Monday-Friday, December 26-30
$45/$50/$55/$65
Thirty years on, upwards of 15 band members deep and an ocean in-between, Poi Dog Pondering keeps thriving because their ethic has always been about following their musical heart. They have let every sound that excited them flow through their music and flood it with ever changing colors - rock, soul, orchestral, acoustic, electronic textures. Americana, rock band, disco and international - all threaded along the way with lyrics that embrace the beauty and pain that life can bring.
New Year's Eve with Lalah Hathaway
Saturday, December 31; 7:30 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.
$85/$105/$125/$145
As the daughter of musicians Donny Hathaway and Eulaulah Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway was born into musical legacy. Proof of Hathaway's musical prowess is evident in her work as a performer, musician, writer and producer. Hathaway recently made history with three back-to-back R&B Grammy wins in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively - becoming the first ever artist to win Best Traditional R&B Performance two consecutive years in a row.
Lalah Hathaway's incomparable skill, talent, musicianship and presence are recognized by artists and fans the world over. Like her father before her, Lalah Hathaway stands as music quality personified, optimum in every way. All tickets to these special performances include glass of sparkling wine.
All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8pm, unless noted. To purchase concert tickets or for more information on becoming a VinoFile member, please call (312) 733-WINE (9463) or visit www.citywinery.com/chicago.
Tickets to the above shows are on sale to the public now. Members of City Winery Chicago's signature VinoFile program have access to ticket sales in advance, in addition to receiving: a waiver of ticket service fees; 50% off 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 artists listed above are among 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): BrenDan James (Nov. 2); Rik Emmett (Nov. 3); Eric Johnson (Nov. 5, 7:00pm); North Mississippi Allstars (Nov. 6, 5 & 8pm); Lynne Jordan (Nov. 7); Legendary Shack Shakers and Chuck Mead & his Grassy Knoll Boys (Nov. 8); Patty Griffin with Joan Shelley (Nov. 9-10); Willie Nile with Phil Rockrohr (Nov. 11); Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene (Nov. 13); Peter Wolf & the Midnight Travelers with Kenny White (Nov. 15); Blue Rodeo with Devin Cuddy (Nov. 16); Robyn Hitchcock with Emma Swift (Nov. 17); Brian McKnight (Nov. 18-19, 7 & 10pm) Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players (Nov. 20; 12pm); Jonatha Brooke (Nov. 20); Roy Ayers (Nov. 21-22); Ginuwine with Ivan Ellis (Nov. 23, 7 & 10pm); Joseph Arthur & Nicole Atkins (Nov. 25); Sonny Knight & the Lakers (Nov. 26); Big Bad VooDoo Daddy (Nov. 27, 5 & 8pm); O'Connor Band featuring Mark O'Connor (Nov. 28); Delta Rae with Penny & Sparrow (Nov. 29); Mipso with Kristin Andreassen (Nov. 30); Rhett Miller (Dec. 1); Toh Kay (Dec. 3, 7:30pm); Jeffrey Foucault (Dec. 4); Avant (Dec. 5-6); Davina & the Vagabonds (Dec. 7); Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives (Dec. 8); Dan Zanes: Holiday Sing-a-Long Brunch Show (Dec. 11); Los Lobos (Dec. 11-14); Tab Benoit (Dec. 17, 7 & 10pm) Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players (Dec 18; 12pm); Shemekia Copeland (Dec. 18, 5 & 8pm); Marc Broussard (Dec. 19); Andrew Ripp (Dec. 20); Michael McDermott (Dec. 21-23); For The Jews featuring Joel Chasnoff, John Roy, Aaron Freeman (Dec. 24); Poi Dog Pondering (Dec. 26-30); Lalah Hathaway (Dec. 31, 7:30 & 11pm) The Flat Five (Jan. 6); Steve Earle Residency (Jan 9-10); FrEddie Jackson (Jan. 13); Kris Kristofferson (Jan. 16-18); Hot Club of Cowtown (Jan. 19); Kevin Griffin (Jan 20-21); Amy Black Band (Jan. 22; 12pm); Steve Earle Residency (Jan 24-25); Alejandro Escovedo (Jan. 26-28); Louie Anderson (Jan. 29, 5 & 7:30pm); Holly Bowling (Feb. 9); 10,000 Maniacs (Feb. 10, 7 & 10pm; Feb 11, 5 & 8pm); Jeannie Tanner (Feb. 27, 7:30pm); Kathy Mattea featuring Bill Cooley (Feb. 28); Idan Raichel (Mar. 20-21); Leon Russell (Apr. 10-11) and Morgan James (Apr. 19).
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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