ArchivesSpecial Performances Jim Post CD Release Party with Basil & Heller Opening Friday, January 22 at 8PM Evanston SPACE
"Post is one of the Midwest's great treasures." Chicago Tribune
In 1971, he produced and played on an album of Chicago folk musicians, Gathering at the Earl of Old Town, that included the first recording of Goodman's City of New Orleans. During the 1990s and 2000s, he focused on performing in the character of Mark Twain in one-man shows. Post has also recorded an album of children's songs.
SCHMALTZ!
A trio, quartet, quintet, and more. Music with great heart, for your events!
FOR BOOKING CONTACT: Freeman and Bouchard - Ed Bouchard and Nancy Freeman
Freeman & Bouchard
KEVIN BURT AT THE UPTOWN THEATRE
Farm 2017 Concert
Sunday, October 12 Saturday, October 25 1245 CHICAGO AVENUE http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/EventListings.action?pl=space&orgId=36142 To check out SPACE: Two great opportunities to highlight at SPACE this month: JIM POST's Birthday Concert: JAMES LEE STANLEY in The Studios at SPACE: Warm fall wishes to all, Nancy Emrich Freeman PS The house with the fab acoustics and LilFest history is for sale - with an Open House Sunday, Oct. 12, 1-3. You are welcome to visit 711 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois - or click that address for an internet tour. PPS True confessions - in October, I also love Corky Siegel on Oct. 26; Michael Fracasso and Ralston Bowles on October 21. And while we're at it check the SPACE website for Natalia Zukerman, Garnet Rogers, Dave Specter, Greg Brown and Eddy Clearwater's 80th Birthday party. Breathtaking fun ahead.
A LilFest Concert: LAUREN SHEEHAN, a blues songster SATURDAY, NOV 2, 2013
Reservations are not required. "Lauren has the authenticity, the sound and the knowledge of the folk/blues genre that other
acts can only aspire to. There is a little-known (and at the time suppressed) story of how Gibson Guitars continued to manufacture their instruments at their factory in Kalamazoo MI during World War II with a nearly all-female workforce. That story has now finally been told by John Thomas in his new book "Kalamazoo Gals: a Story of Extraordinary Women and Gibson's 'Banner' Guitars of World War II."
It's a tale of fine craftsmanship, hidden by history, sexism and the 1940's market.
The "Banner Gibson Guitars" they're called. Each one has a silk-screened golden banner on the
head-stock. And, while the "Gibson Boys" were at war, the girl-made guitars brought new sonic standards and
style to Gibson.
Lauren Sheehan's concert Saturday night in Keene Valley will be played on a "Banner Gibson." Her blues will
reflect her work on the CD produced in conjunction with the Thomas book "The Light Still Burns."
Sheehan says: "Many songs seemed to suggest themselves to me after I read the manuscript so
picking the music was easy and it's mostly appropriate to the times and themes in the book."
Sheehan's 2012 Portland (Oregon) Music Award for outstanding achievement in Folk, acceptance in the
Library of Congress as part of the MusicBox project and the critical success of her 3rd CD, Rose City
Ramble, #8 on the folk radio annual chart for 2011 led her to this project.
LilFest invites you to participate in this interesting concert -- and the hidden history it represents.
The concert is open to the public, everyone is welcome. The suggested donation is $12, and
amounts both higher and lower will support the artist and the telling of the story.
Looking
forward to welcoming you in person,
Nancy Emrich Freeman
BILL'S BLUES REVISITED WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2013 BILL'S BLUES REVISITED WELCOMES Stephanie Rogers
"An album replete with stand-outs, it also evokes the attitude and "free spirit" of Rogers, a talented woman who laughs easily and often, and who wants to share her love of life with the world. With "Daisy Petal in the Dirt" Rogers steps into a bright spotlight with mature songs of substance and style."
Paul Crosby 8:00 PM - 12:30 AM THE INDIGO LOUNGE, HILTON ORRINGTON 1710 ORRINGTON AVE, EVANSTON FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL SHOWS
Wednesday, March 13
We are pleased to have Paul lead our traditional blues jam again. REMEMBER: Anyone wishing to join the band on stage has merely to sign the blues jam sign-up sheet
and wait for their turn to be called up to play with the blues pros.
Enjoy Bill's Blues's Revisited When The Indigo Bar was built for music. It can be a Listening Room at 5:30 and a a rollicking blues venue at 8:30. And on Wednesday's, we're doing just that!
WEDNESDAY, February 20, 2013 BILL'S BLUES REVISITED WELCOMES Sue Fink, Larry Mesirow & Margaret Nelson THE INDIGO LOUNGE, HILTON ORRINGTON Wednesday, February 20 5:00 - 8:00 PM SINGER/SONGWRITER/FOLK What does that mean today? A sampler starring Sue Fink, Larry Mesirow and Margaret Nelson THE NASHVILLE ROUND is an idea medium for comparing and contrasting songwriters and songwriter styles. And it can have surprises galore! Singers present their work in a round setting, one song from each, revolving and building subjects and styles based on an instantaneous decision. The evening can go anywhere! Humorous, ironic, sad, traditional, international, pensive -- you name it. Sue Fink Larry Mesirow Margaret Nelson So in addition to well voiced peace songs, love songs, comic songs, lullabies, and ecology songs, get ready to meet traditional characters like "Earl o’ Bran" or "Lord Gregory." Wednesday, February 20 Chainsaw Dupont leads the Bill's Blues Jam 8:00 PM - 12:30 AM Blues Guitarist Chainsaw Dupont was born in the tiny town of McComb, Mississippi and grew up in Swan Lake in the Mississippi Delta, where almost everyone worked on the nearby plantation. His mother was a piano player who had received lessons from a young Fats Domino in New Orleans and Dad picked cotton until he left permanently for a hopeful boxing career New Orleans. Chainsaw went north with an older brother to Chicago's west side, attended high school, and began to play guitar (after running away to find his dad in New Orleans!). Inspired by a Sly and the Family Stone lick he became inseparable from his guitar. Eventually, he caught the attention of blues harp legend Junior Wells, and hooked up for an international tour that included Japan, in the coveted spot as Junior's guitarist. He's Evanston's own bluesman, and everyone should come out to claim him as our own on Wednesday! February 27 at 5:00: Jon Spiegel's Tremolux
Wednesday, February 13 Sandy Andina and Stephen Lee Rich have a diversity and depth of experience and two giant piles of talent that
most duos don't have. * Estimated Wednesday, February 13 8:00 PM - 12:30 AM
BILL'S BLUES REVISITED WEDNESDAY, January 30, 2013 BILL'S BLUES REVISITED WELCOMES BACK Radoslav Lorkovic 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM & The Doug James Blues Jam 8:00 PM - 12:30 AM THE INDIGO LOUNGE, HILTON ORRINGTON 1710 ORRINGTON AVE, EVANSTON Radoslav Lorkovic At a young age, Rad was kidnapped by the Blues scale. His early virtuosity took him right to the likes of dearly departed icon greats Hubert Sumlin and Levon Helm and others like them. It's in his genes...grandmother Melita was a classical pianist of great renown in early 1900's though you may have to read Croatian in the Wiki!
Rad will perform his solo work, and maybe a Croatian song or two, maybe some amazing piano keyboard virtuosity -- you never know. Or maybe an Italian tour story or what it's like to run from Beverly Hills Cop and RoboCop avid fans. You know with the great smile and hands like the Michelangelo Sistine ceiling, it will be worth gettin' out of the house tonight.
He leads The Pocket, a band of veteran Chicago musicians who lay a groove so deep you'll never climb out of it. Anyone in the audience who wishes to "sit in" and join a genuine Chicago Blues Jam, merely has to sign the Jam Sheet and wait to be called up to join the blues pros on stage.
8:00 PM - Robert Pasenko leads the Blues Jam with Sammy Fender As a teenager, Robert Pasenko traveled with a rock-and-roll band and had the opportunity to gig with ten-time Grammy Award winner, Bobby McFerrin. For the past decade, he's been the first-call drummer for blues/gospel vocalist, Tommy McCracken, an incredible entertainer. He's played hundreds of gigs with blues artists such as Sammy Fender (Again tonight!), Quintus McCormick, Aron Burton, Michael Dotson, Holle Thee Maxwell, and his friend Ron Michaels of Blue Plate Special.
Bill's Blues Revisited
Wednesday, January 2 - Today! 5:00 - 6:00 PM Larry Mesirow, Singer/songwriter Larry performs a wide range of music, which includes his own love ballads, political and satirical songs,
as well as folk music from America, England, Ireland, Latin America and The Carribean. 6:00 - 7:00 PM Norm Siegel Norm Siegel has been along for the whole ride. Luckily born in time to experience the Heyday of the Chicago Folk Scene (Heyday #1, I firmly believe we're in Heyday#2 now!), Norm heard and played with the greats. Do you remember It's Here, Chicago's Boss TeenAge Nightclub? It was between Minstrels and the Granada Theater. Norm did his early listening there and grew into a player who would share the stage with people like Michael "MJ" Johnson & Josh White, and eventually playing long bass gigs with Bob Gibson & Fred Holstein (before Evanston's fab Jim Tullio). He started on sound with Redhead in 1976. And before that, (get this!) Norm had an acting career too, in '73 & '74 including a run at the Theatre on the Lake. He's our favorite bad act-er around Bill's, and tonight he performs his current interest, keeping the music of the folk scene's dearly departed superstars, Bob Gibson, Fred Holstein, "Stevie" Goodman, and, of course, Tom Dundee. Wednesday, January 2 7:00 - 8:00 PM Dave and Mark Glatt Wicked Wednesday Duos* by LilFest Dave and Mark Glatt, a Father-Son Duo, are first in the Wicked Wednesday Duo series at Bill's Blues Revisited!
You remember the BB midnight band "Conscripted?" Well -- Mark has now graduated from College - NIU Vibraphone
player (and more!)! Anyway, they've been playing out for the three years in between as a keyboard and guitar
duo - join us for their Acoustic Blues-Folk debut. Dave's support of Bill's Blues through Dave's Italian
Kitchen is legendary. Welcome back Glatt Family! Wednesday, January 2 8:30 PM - Bill's Blues Jam hosted by Tom Holland
Wednesday, December 26 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Laura Joy: A percussive fingerstyle guitar reminiscent of Ani DiFranco and a songwriting flair that recalls the likes of Joni Mitchell Heather Styka: A poet and writer, Styka has an instinct for lyrics that are smart and unexpected. Emily White: "A hushed, preternaturally haunting vocal delivery (and bewitching sense of indie-rock-informed melody."
Wednesday, December 12 With roots in pop, folk, soul and Americana, Check With Lucy creates an infectious up-tempo new folk sound with Lucy's engaging, high energy stage presence. Throw out your expectations of what it means to be the audience-there are no walls between these performers and the crowd. Jeff and Brad are each phenoms in their own right, don't miss this! 7:30 - 8:30 PM Wednesday, December 5 The 5:30 Show - Two ChickenFat Orchestra sets with a dash or more of solo songwriter, Eric Futran.
Fresh from standing ovations and a cheering full house last month at the Atlantic on Lincoln, ChickenFat presents
their eclectic mix of pan-Adriatic, pan-Mediterranean fun in the minor key! CFKO is fun, great rhythms, dancing and
altogether a happening! Featuring mini-sets by our own Rogers Park Cowboy, singer/songwriter Eric Futran. And he's teaching The Kvetch!
Join Jim Post and me in a celebration of Janet Smith Post's new (already acclaimed) novel
Cotton Rock When: Jim Post's wife Janet Smith Post has just published a novel that is setting Amazon afire. It
is called Cotton Rock. You can buy it there (they don't have too many left) or directly from Janet
herself (http://www.janetsmithpost.com/). I suggest you do
This book release, reading and concert is organized like a house concert in that it is a pot luck supper, but there is no suggested contribution. Call me to reserve (847-256-0000) and I'll explain to you how to get her book. And let me know what you will bring to the festive, shared dinner table so I can balance out the celebratory meal! Why buy the book? Check out the reviews on Amazon. Here's a sample. Sincerely, Nancy Emrich
PPS By Janet: "I wove these stories, my own and my family's, into one. I placed it in the Ozarks, the home of my people. The stories changed in the weaving, but the love and the loss, the hope and heartache, the glory and the shame are all flesh-and-blood true: of my great grandmother who could name the medicine and magic of nearly every Ozark plant; of my great grandfather who was a circuit preacher; of my grandmother who ground sorghum into molasses and my grandfather who stole kisses from the girl in the burgundy dress-all intertwine as the river carves the land and the land shapes the river..." PPS Semi-Final Word from me: I think we all know and love Jim Post's music -- and his Texas storytelling spirit. If you've read this email, you probably get it now why the Jim and Janet love story is the one that fostered two decades of solid, grounded creativity for both of them. I love having them in the river of my life and know you will also. http://www.janetsmithpost.com/ PPPS OK. One more thought. Of course, we'll owe Jim Post something for his concert part of this event. Here's what I suggest since I can't collect money, I want to collect ideas. In concert with Jim, I (my LilFest) helps him book his plays and concerts around the world. I need your ideas and help. Whether it is his Mark Twain show, the Heart of Christmas show (early December's still open) or the folk show, I am looking for names of personal contacts for venues, performing arts centers, TV and radio friends, quality house concerts - I need names and contact information for some "listening ears who book" in places he'll be properly paid and respected. Call me, email me at 3bearscottage@gmail.com or hand it to me on paper on party night. Thanks for your thoughts!
LilFest Presents James Lee Stanley in Concert Wednesday, September 14 at 6:30 PM Meadowbrook Gazebo across from 1201 3rd St. SW, Mount Vernon, Iowa Suggested Donation $12 Rain Location: 1201 3rd St. SW Questions and optional reservations: 847-256-0000 Bring your own lawn chair, cushion or blanket rain or shine Please don’t park on the street immediately adjoining the park. http://www,jamesleestanley.com
Some people have it all! The venerable James Lee Stanley has appeared on stages around the world – and TV screens as well. That happens when your musicianship, songwriting, humor, and stage presence are impeccable. And when the entertainment community knows you are the real deal. James Lee’s remarkable ability as a vocalist and composer allow him to create truly great songs, each accompanied by his amazing guitar orchestrations. His concert, while fundamentally acoustic in nature, includes masterful electronic creativity as well. And then there is the trademark James Lee humor, devilish, fun, and thought provoking. LilFest, a national presenter of live concerts is offering its initial Iowa concert on Wednesday night, September 14 at the Meadowbrook Gazebo across from 1201 3rd St., SW in Mount Vernon. Presented in the style of a House Concert, audience members are asked to bring their own lawn chair and a suggested donation for the artist of $12.
LilFest presents Jim Post CD Release Party with Basil & Heller Opening Friday, January 22, 2010, at 8PM Evanston SPACE
"Post is one of the Midwest's great treasures." Chicago Tribune
In 1971, he produced and played on an album of Chicago folk musicians, Gathering at the Earl of Old Town, that included the first recording of Goodman's City of New Orleans. During the 1990s and 2000s, he focused on performing in the character of Mark Twain in one-man shows. Post has also recorded an album of children's songs.
Bill & Kate Isles Friday, January 23, 2009 7:30 Doors and Pot Luck Dinner, 8:00
Concert, Welcoming home two LilFest true favorites “There are moments of brilliance.” Many! NJE
Bill's performance at the Just Plain Folks Anniversary Party in Minneapolis caught the attention of City's Tone Publisher David Keiski. "Isles' use of word pictures and metaphors separates his work from the others in more ways than one. He is a more seasoned craftsman that has put a lot of work into the task of songwriting, and it's easy to tell that Isles takes a lot of time, is serious and diligent about his subjects. He is a thoughtful and creative storyteller, mixing interesting images into what is the perfect introduction to the other songwriters, and to our table, this song, Photo Mosaic... I imagine Bill Isles doing very well in Nashville, and at bluegrass and folk festivals... he has the craft of songwriting down... The musical feeling of (his) CD is warm like Isles' voice... there are moments of brilliance"
Sally Martin Friday, December 5, 2008 6:30 Doors, 7:30 Concert, Holiday Pot Luck
Dinner A very special night of folk cabaret elegance to open the Holidays Meet her in person before her WFMT 98.7FM radio live broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8PM To buy tickets, click: www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/50182 Suggested Artist Contribution: $15 plus Potluck/BYOB Singer and actress Sally Martin is a favorite of audiences and critics alike for her vocal range and multilingual interpretive skills in concert, cabaret and musical theatre. The Washington Post hailed her first CD as "extraordinary" and called her "wonderfully controlled singing…both dreamy and wise." She has performed in wide-ranging venues including Washington's Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Baltimore's Everyman Theatre, Arlington's Signature Theatre, and New York's Dramatists Guild and Federal Hall. Her eclectic interpretive abilities in French and German have drawn comparison to Edith Piaf and Lotte Lenya. She released her second album, "Another Time, Another Place" in September 2007 with a concert at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC. The recording was nominated for a Wammie award as jazz recording of 2007 by the Washington Area Music Association and was praised by writer and lyricist Judith Viorst for its "dazzling array of choices." A Chicago native and New Trier alumna, she studied voice at Stanford University and later with the well-known lieder singer Ilse Wolf of London's Royal Academy of Music. For more information, go to www.sallymartinmusic.com.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 "Bound to Go" with "Andrew Calhoun & Campground" 7PM Pot Luck & Dessert, 7:30PM Concert,
Doors 6:45PM
Listen at Andrew Calhoun's MySpace page. Andrew's Accolades "History with a great sound," Bill Hahn, WDFU "Extraordinary CD. It is wonderful work, saving the songs" - Nikki Giovanni "...this is a tremendously powerful album with a great sense of atmosphere and the deepest possible
commitment that shines through both in the performances themselves and the exceptionally fine recording and
presentation. Prepare yourself for a heap of neck-prickling moments. This is a landmark release..." Andrew Calhoun, a nationally-renowned singer-songwriter based in Chicago, has put
together a phenomenal CD of African American spirituals and folk songs. Bound to Go, with original cover art and
detailed liner notes, is really an important, relevant work. It's heavily researched and includes songs that
haven't been performed in decades, and some that may never have been recorded. Campground is a fabulous ensemble of
talent, comprised of young and old, black and white, with a chemistry that resonates from the stage. My overall
impression--this is not your average folk concert, but a "show" deserving of major staging." Calhoun and 17 other musicians, white and black, resurrect these wonderful songs from graveyard
silence and place them inside spare arrangements with the voices up front. Biographies
A Chicago native, Big Llou Johnson has been in dozens of stage plays, including "Master Harold and the boys", Fences & others. His distinctive signature voice is heard on TV and radio ads internationally. His film credits include Quentin Tarrantino's "Grindhouse" "Lets go to Prison" both Barbershops I and II and others. He has also voiced such TV shows as "Ballers" on BET and "Mix It Up" for Courtney Cox on the "WE". Vocally, he has performed overseas with his gospel quartet group "Phava", The Oak Park Concert Chorale & Sue Conway and the Victory Singers. He has recently retuned from Poland performing with Polish vocalist Dorota Jeremy for her CD release concert. He is currently working on his second single release entitled "Thick" .. a follow up to his European hit song.. "Step Wit Chu" as well as publishing two audio books entitled "Stories of the Bible" & "Stories for African American Children". Big Llou started his career in entertainment as a saxophonist turned talent agency owner representing then little known artists such as Queen Latifah, Lisa Raye and Halle Berry. Casey Calhoun, born and raised in Evanston, began performing in dance theatre at the age of 9. She studied at Dance Center Evanston and Cornish College in Seattle, and danced solo on the mainstage during Dan Bern's set at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in 2006. She grew up singing rounds with her mother and stepmother (Kat Eggleston), sang in the choir at Evanston Township High School and studied voice with Kathy Cowan. She has performed in a duo with her dad and adds lead and vocal harmonies and a few smooth moves to Campground. Runako Robinson was born and raised on the West side of Chicago, Runako has been singing and dancing since she was 5 years old. Both of her parents were avid music connoisseurs. Runako graduated from Alabama State University with a degree in Secondary Education. She was cast in 9 productions with the Alabama State Theater Company. Recently, Runako graduated from National-Louis University with a Masters in School Counseling. A teacher and guidance counselor now living in Oak Park, she moonlights in local theater productions and with Campground on lead and vocal harmonies. David Young, trumpeter and music educator, was born and raised in Evanston, receiving a music performance degree from Northwestern University. He studied and performed with Wynton Marsalis, and has performed with Howard Levy, Eddie Palmieri, Michele N'degeocello and Lauryn Hill. He released his debut jazz recording, Appassionata, at the age of 20, in 2001. A 2000 trip to Cambodia has led to a continuing interest in Khmer culture and education; Young will return to Cambodia in early 2009 to continue studying traditional flute styles with surviving masters. With Campground, David plays trumpet, flute, and percussion, and sings. Lana Lupiani's father, Henry Ferrante, studied piano and violin at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He taught, played gigs, tuned pianos and supported a family of 6 children with music. When Lana was in 4th grade, he brought home a cello, taught her the basics and she played in his school orchestras. Ms. Lupiani studied with the late Al Trnka of The Chicago Symphony for 2 years. Played cello and sang with "Rainy Day People" folk group in the 80's. She lives in Glen Ellyn and works in horticulture sales. She is now Campground's principal cellist. Josh White, Jr. Friday, January 2, 2009 6:30 Doors, 7:30 Concert, Holiday Pot
Luck Dinner
Meet him in person after his WFMT 98.7FM radio live broadcast on New Year’s
Eve Josh White, Jr., became, a 'hit' literally over night at the age of four, by performing with his legendary father JOSH WHITE one night at New York's famed "Café Society" night club (America's first integrated nightclub). For the next five years, Josh, Jr. and Sr. performed from New York to Boston to Philadelphia. In 1949, Josh, Jr. landed his first role on Broadway, and as Josh says, "It was type casting..." he played his father's son in How Long Til Summer? with Dorothy Gish and Don Hanmer. While continuing a solo acting career, Josh went on to perform and record with his father for the next seventeen years on radio, television, Broadway, concert halls and nightclubs around the world. A solo career as deep and wide as his voice followed. As a concert artist, Josh, Jr. has performed on the world's greatest stages of four continents, including Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Odeon Hammersmith Hall, Berlin Philharmonic Hall, and Madison Square Garden to name a few. At the peak of this folk boom, in the mid 60s through the late 70s, Josh was considered one of the college circuit’s most celebrated and honored performing artists, the 'Dean of College Concert Attractions'.
ODETTA Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at 2PM Venue: S.P.A.C.E., 1245 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL LilFest, Bill's Blues and S.P.A.C.E. work together to welcome you to experience live music at its best, right here in Evanston and the North Shore.
From Tonight with Belafonte in the '50's to the Tavis Smiley Show in 2008, Odetta has been an American treasure
and an icon. She was a deep musical influence for Dylan, Baez and Joplin, and Tickets are available through www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/47583 or Bill’s Blues or S.P.A.C.E. General Seats $40.00 Armchair Patrons $65.00
2008 LilFest Festival VI
A Benefit for CAPE(www.capeweb.org) ChicagoArts Partnership inEducation Friday, Saturday & Sunday $10 Preview:Thurs 7-10:00PM+Fri 5-10PM+ Sat 1PM to Midnight+ Sun 1PM– 10PM+ Americana , Folk, Indie, Rock, Blues, Singer/Songwriter, Opera, World Music T wo Venues: 711 Lake Ave, Wilmette = Ticket + BYOB + pot luck offering Bills Blues, Evanston, 1029 Davis St. = Ticket + bar/BBQ menu
TICKETS www.BrownPaperTickets.com & by direct mail to LilFest,711 Lake Av,Wilmette, IL 60091 Tickets will be held & sold at the door. $35 – 3 Day weekend pass or $25/day Patron
passes $100, Sponsors $250, Producers $500/up
www.myspace.com/lilfest www.BillsBluesBar.com www.LilFest.com 312-371-2284 Open Mike by appointment
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Post performed and recorded in the 1960s as the duet Friend and Lover with his wife at that time,
Cathy Conn Post. He worked as a solo singer-songwriter in Chicago and throughout the Midwest in the 1970s and
1980s. Post was a regular performer at the Earl of Old Town and other Chicago folk music bars, and was a
contemporary of notable singer-songwriters Steve Goodman, John Prine, Fred Holstein and Bonnie Koloc.
Larry Basil and John Heller: High energy harmonies! They cover traditional folk songs, often
recalling the times of Bob Gibson and Chicago's great venues.
JIm Post commands main hall at SPACE with the brilliance of an old fashioned tent preacher -- but
watch out: the humor will be irreverent and full of commentary, with many unexpected turns. If you've never
seen Jim, get out and go for heaven's sake. His hit, "Reach Out in the Darkness," brought him one-hit-wonder
status at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - and indeed Target made it popular again with today's audience this
year with a very effective use of the song in an eponymous TV ad! If you know Jim's work, don't miss the
chance to hear his latest adventures in music and fun. That splendid tenor voice is unmatched. Randy Sabien's
intelligent musicianship supports JIm's folk repertoire with the intuition built by decades of touring
experience together. Randy's a foil for Jim's humor and a talented musical star in his own right.
James Lee Stanley has a unique command of all things musical. Start with charm on-stage, honesty
in musical intent, finesse of an extraordinary sort in voice, writing, musicality, lyrics, vocabulary,
performance, creativity, musical ideas. And then there's his humor. I may have heard James more frequently
than any other single solo artist -- and whether the joke or banter is new or old, repeated or augmented, I
laugh. I laugh again. I can't help myself. It may be a pointed political judgment or a human foible; it will
hit home. Did I say he's a singular recording engineer? And he pulls hard for the folk/singer
songwriter/Americana/folk rock industry with his whole heart - mentoring, working on boards, blogging good
ideas for other troubadours, encouraging new house concerts and presenters. GO!
Questions: 
A Saskatoon native living in Toronto, Canada, Suzie Vinnick is the owner of a
gorgeous, powerful voice and performs with a sweet mixture of engaging candidness and
unparalleled musicianship. And, indeed, she is regularly receives top awards for her music...
a Suzie Vinnick concert is just plain fun because she is so down-to-earth, but be prepared to
be blown away by what she can do onstage. Call friends, tell everyone you know. This will be
special and memorable.
Suzie has performed across Canada and the US, internationally in France,
Germany, Ireland and Bosnia and on national Canadian television. She made her New York City
debut in 2011 supporting John Hammond at a free outdoor stage in Madison Square Park
Conservancy.
“Hugely endearing and toe-tappingly enjoyable…Tasty and feisty
fiddle" 
Get ready for an emotionally powerful, artistic voyage awash with warm
harmonies, intricate rhythms and spellbinding vocal improvisation. On April 6th LilFest
presents Guy Mendilow and Sofia Tosello in a special intimate performance of Tales From the
Forgotten Kingdom: Ladino Songs Renewed, at 7:30pm. The suggested contribution is $15.00.
Tickets are available both at the door and in advance from Brown Paper Tickets at this link:
While in pursuit of her acting degree at NU, Stephanie was asked to sing a role in a play, which
led her to join a campus band. She was a theatre student by day and a singer in Chicago clubs by night. She
moved to LA for film and tv work shortly after college and starred in over fifty commercials, movies &
television shows. Stephanie has been a busy mom musician for the last ten years and recently emerged with a
gorgeous new cd.
Paul Crosby was a regular in the house band at the famous Bill's Blues Jams, hosted the Blues
Jam at Hanson Brothers Tavern for three years, and is currently the drummer in The Louie Zagoras Band. We
fully expect - just as has happened week after week - that Paul and the band will be joined onstage by a who's
who of Chicago blues talent.
A winter concert of Klezmer at its most unorthodox!
You can see the kind of relationship Rad develops with the people he works with, here Odetta, and
over time Andy White, Ronny Cox, Greg Brown, Ellis Paul, Jimmy LaFave, and countless CD "cuts" and "sit-in's"
on stage. Indeed he expects to jam with Doug James and possibly You,tonight!
ANDREW CALHOUN IS "a true voice of 
We hosted the first-ever performance of Andrew & Casey at Bill's Blues on Davis. Much,
much applause later, we are delighted to welcome them back.
Tom Holland is in constant demand both in Chicago and on the road - both with his own eponymous
band, Tom Holland and The Shuffle Kings - and as the lead guitar player for Chicago blues living legend, the
great harmonica player, James Cotton. The Shuffle Kings have been playing stages across the world for
ten years now. Indeed, they've been the backing band for such blues luminaries such as Hubert Sumlin &
Carey Bell. They regularly are featured at the Chicago House of Blues, as well as many other venues around
Chicago. Always a great night!
5:30 - 7:30 PM
that, and bring it to be signed at my books and music party (reservation only) in 2 1/2 weeks at
my home. And there's no Post family celebration without a lot of music by Jim! 
PS About Janet: Janet Smith Post co-authored two children's books, Barnyard Boogie and Jungle
Beat, and numerous award-winning songs for children. Cotton Rock is her first novel. Raising eight children,
earning her Master's degree in English, Janet also cared for her mother, a victim of Alzheimer's. This task,
coupled with her Ozark heritage, inspired her to write Cotton Rock. Co-creator of Reading By Ear, Inc., a
musical reading program for children, Janet lives in Galena, Illinois with her husband, Jim Post, well-known
folk singer and composer of the 1960s hit song, "Reach Out of the Darkness."
Bill Isles' songs are down-to-earth poetic reflections of life experiences and often explore
adventurous metaphorical worlds. These worlds vary greatly in scope and texture such as the differences
between the clever honky-tonk ambiguity of "The Hole in Our Town" and the enchanting feel of "Sistine Chapel",
both from his 2003 release "The Threshold". Each of his compositions provides a spectrum of interpretation
opportunities, as well, as demonstrated by "Sistine Chapel". It is this multi-layering that has drawn fans to
listen over and over again, and to describe his live performances as "mesmerizing".
LilFest presents
LilFest House Concerts is pleased to host the Chicago - North CD release party for
A very special night of songs and stories to welcome the New Year
LilFest, Bill's Blues and S.P.A.C.E. present
There are few musical opportunities in lifetime that are on a par with a concert with Odetta
(with Radoslav Lorkovic) in an intimate setting like S.P.A.C.E.
the musical "Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" alongside Martin Luther King. (He called her
"The Queen of American Folk Music" in 1964.) Her artistry is extraordinary, her spirit transcending and her
music deeply affecting. This will be unforgettable. With her deep, 
rich voice she has carried blues, gospel and songs of America throughout the world, bringing
diverse individuals together through music.
Gerry O’Beirne is an inspiring master guitarist, songwriter, singer and
producer. This Brunch (pot luck) House Concert is the perfect April Sunday family and friends
memory-to-be. These quotes will make it clear if I haven’t!
L
L ILFEST General Info & Tickets: 847-256-0000
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