English Beat, Heather McDonald, Case And More Come to City Winery Chicago

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces influential British band The English Beat, comic Heather McDonald, singer/songwriter Case ("Touch Me, Tease Me") and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, December 21 at noon at citywinery.com/chicago.

BiG SuIT: A Tribute to Talking Heads

Monday, January 22

$18/$22/$25/$28

Chicago's BiG SUiT recreates the funk-rock music of Talking Heads. BiG SUiT is made up of nine musicians dedicated to re-creating the Jonathan Demme concert film Stop Making Sense within a live stage format. Big SUiT frontman Jason Krause brings an astonishing take on David Byrne. From the eye-catching and flamboyant routines of dancer/singers Jennifer Hall & Jessica Hornsten to the incredible percussion and afro-celt rhythm section of Phil Brines, Janis Wallin, and Chris Edwards, this Tribute to Talking Heads is the real deal. Rounding out the personnel are Brother John Kattke, Cash Michaels, & Jon Hey on keyboards, with all of the "SUiTS" under the direction of Steve Kikoen, guitarist for BiG SUiT and founder/guitarist of Deacon Blues.

Case

Tuesday, February 6; 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.

$35/$38/$45/$48

Having released four albums, three on Def Jam Records, and one independently, Grammy-nominated Case Woodard had success in the '90s with his self-titled debut album, which featured the Platinum-selling smash hit "Touch Me Tease Me," and his Platinum sophomore album Personal Conversation, which spawned big hits like "Happily Ever After" and "Faded Pictures." In 2001, he scored his first number one hit with "Missing You" from his third album, the Gold-selling Open Letter.

Scythian

Saturday, March 3

GA seated $18 advance / $22 day of show

Washington DC-based Scythian (sith-ee-yin) began over 12 years ago as college buddies playing Celtic music in the streets and has grown to be a headliner on the U.S. Celtic Festival Circuit as well as a name in the Bluegrass/Americana Festival Circuit. For over 12 years they have found success as an independent band with their own brand of high-energy folk music. Scythian has played over 1,300 shows all over the United States, Europe, Canada and as far away as Australia.

The High Kings

Thursday, March 22

$28/$32/$35/$38

Ireland's Folk Band of the Year The High Kings - Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden - showcase their incredible versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists, playing 13 instruments between them and bringing a rousing acoustic flavor to brand new songs as well as old favorites. Coming from accomplished musical pedigrees, The High Kings grew up in households soaked in the Irish musical tradition, and each member of the band witnessed firsthand the power of well-crafted Irish music on an audience.

The English Beat

Friday, April 6

Saturday, April 7; 7:00 p.m.

$50/$55/$60/$65

One of the earliest and most influential bands of the British Ska movement, The English Beat, returns to City Winery. Since entering the music scene in 1979, they're known for hit singles "Tears of a Clown," "Mirror in the Bathroom" and "Save It for Later." Originally from working-class Birmingham, England, the band managed to fuse all of their respective musical influences - soul, reggae, pop and punk - into a sound that is highly danceable, resulting in success in their home country as well as in the United States. The English Beat is now based in California, and features founding member Dave Wakeling on vocals and guitar.

Jake Shimabukuro

Sunday-Monday, April 8-9

$45/$48/$55/$58

One of the world's most innovative ukulele players and composers, Jake Shimabukuro is renowned for his lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary technique. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco and rock, Jake tours here with new CD, Travels, which includes lilting self-penned compositions, some '70s pop nuggets and modern interpretations of beloved Hawaiian standards.

Heather McDonald

Thursday-Friday, May 17-18

$35/$38/$45/$48

Heather McDonald is one of the most in-demand touring stand-up comics as well as an actress, and accomplished writer. McDonald's iTunes podcast "Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald" is downloaded over 1 million times per month, she recently debuted her first Showtime Stand-up Special "I Don't Mean to Brag" and she was staff writer, story producer and regular on E!'s top rated show "Chelsea Lately" for its entire 7-year run. Her debut book, You'll Never Blue Ball In This Town Again, spent seven weeks on the New York Times best-seller list, and climbed to the #1 position on Amazon's "Bestsellers in Entertainment" list. McDonald released her follow up to Blue Balls in February 2013 titled My Inappropriate Life: Some Material Not Suitable for Small Children, Nuns, or Mature Adults which also became a national bestseller. A limited number of Meet & Greet tickets are available for $35 and include merchandise.

City Winery also announces Joe Pug opens for Steve Earle on Dec. Jan. 8-9.

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 December 21 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.

BiG SUiT, Case, Scythian, The High Kings, The English Beat, Jake Shimabukuro, Heather McDonald and Joe Pug 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: Bebel Gilberto with DJ Warp (Dec. 19-20); Avery*Sunshine (Dec. 21, 7 & 9:30pm); Michael McDermott with Heather Horton (Dec. 22); Michael McDermott (Dec. 23, 5 & 8pm); Christmas for the Jews (Dec. 25); Poi Dog Pondering (Dec. 26-30); BoDeans (Dec. 31, 7:30 & 11pm; Jan. 1, 5 & 8pm); Steve Forbert (Jan. 3); Bilal (Jan 4-5); Talib Kweli with K'Valentine (Jan. 6, 7 & 10pm); Amy Black presents The Music of Memphis & Muscle Shoals (Jan. 7, 7pm); Steve Earle (Jan. 8-9 & Feb. 12-13); Tom Cochrane (Jan. 10); Flobots (Jan. 11); Freddy Jones Band with The Nadas (Jan. 12-13); Funkadesi (Jan. 15, 7:30pm); Tracy Nelson & The Bel Airs (Jan. 16); Davina & the Vagabonds (Jan. 17); Sandra Antongiorgi with ¡ESSO! Afrojam Funkbeat, Pecados de Maria, DJ Cqqchifruit (Jan. 18, 6:30pm); Eric Benét (Jan. 19, 7 & 10pm); Lee Ann Womack with Kelsey Waldon (Jan. 20-21); Alejandro Escovedo with Chris Stamey (Jan. 25-27); The Four C Notes (Jan. 28, 3pm); Chicago Jazz Orchestra featuring Sarah Marie Young (Jan. 30, 7:30pm); The Posies (Jan. 31); "Happy Birthday, Langston Hughes: A Celebration In Poetry, Prose And Song" (Feb. 1); Justin Townes Earle (Feb. 2-3); Judy Collins (Feb. 4, 5 & 8pm); Melanie Fiona (Feb. 7, 7pm); Tortured Soul (Feb. 8); 10,000 Maniacs (Feb. 9, 7:30 & 10pm; Feb. 10, 5 & 8pm); JD Souther (Feb. 11); Brandy Clark (Feb. 14, 6:30 & 9pm); Cyrille Aimee (Feb. 15); Kindred the Family Soul (Feb. 16, 7 & 10pm); Patrizio Buanne (Feb. 18, 7pm) Las Guitarras de España (Feb. 19, 7:30pm); Keren Ann (Feb. 20); The Birdland All-Stars featuring Tommy Igoe (Feb. 21); Raul Midón (Feb. 22); Syleena Johnson (Feb. 23, 7 & 10pm); Sergio Mendes (Feb. 25, 5 & 8pm); Sierra Hull with Scott Mulvahill (Feb. 28); Doyle Bramhall ll (Mar. 1); Alan Doyle (Mar. 2); Brad Williams (Mar. 4); Joanne Shaw Taylor (Mar. 6); Howard Jones (Mar. 8); Tom Papa (Mar. 9, 7 & 10pm); Kaki King (Mar. 13); We Banjo 3 (Mar. 14); Stephen Kellogg (Mar. 15); Jonatha Brooke (Mar. 16), Los Lonely Boys with Lisa Morales (Mar. 17-18); The Zombies (Mar. 19-20); Joshua Radin with William Fitzsimmons (Mar. 27-28); Tom Green (Mar. 30, 7:30 & 10pm); Christopher Cross (Mar. 31); Willie Nile (Apr. 14); Candlebox Acoustic Duo with Lullwater (Apr. 15-16); Kevin Nealon (Apr. 20-21); and John Waite (May 24-25).

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 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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