Weekend Best Bets: We Can Dream Right?

Peter Bernstein visits Delray's Arts Garage this weekend.

Peter Bernstein visits Delray’s Arts Garage this weekend.

Boat Show in West Palm

The 29th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show is in West Palm Beach this weekend and if you have a few million to spare, you are likely to find something cool to cruise the Boca Inlet.

The event takes place along the Intracoastal Waterway on Flagler Drive, with entrances on Evernia and Clematis streets.

Tickets are $18 at the gate for adults ($16 online) and $8 for kids 6-15 ($6 online), kids under 6 are free.

You’ll find an array of amazing crafts from multi-million dollar yachts to smaller boats for beginning boaters or more modest budgets.

We like a 31 foot Sea Ray Sundancer, which begins at $218,000. We can dream right Dave?

Check out Joey & The Gigolos

Dave is from the doo wop era, I am much, much younger, but he assures me that you don’t want to miss Joey & The Gigolos tonight at 8 p.m. at the Pavilion Grille, 301 Yamato Road in Boca Raton.

Call 912-0000 or visit www.paviliongrille.com for tickets and more information.

Guitarist Peter Bernstein at Arts Garage

Peter Bernstein is one of the best jazz guitarists touring today.

He’s played with the likes of Dr. Lonnie Smith and Diana Krall and has toured extensively wowing audiences all over the world.

He’ll be at Delray’s famed Arts Garage Saturday night at 8 p.m. Visit www.artsgarage.org for tickets.

Bernstein has taught at the Julliard School, Berklee College of Music, North Texas State University, the New School Jazz Program and the Jazz Conservatory in Amsterdam. He has been recognized in both the readers’ and critics’ polls in Downbeat Magazine for the past three years. He continues to hone his style through writing and performing and has developed a distinctive and unforgettable guitar voice that is all his own.

A can’t miss show, a singular talent.

RonFest on Wednesday

Mark your calendars for next Wednesday. RonFest is finally here.

RonFest will raise funds to help offset some medical costs for community volunteer and all around good guy Ron Gilinsky, who suffered a serious cardiac event recently.

Ron’s close call has brought his friends together to help and celebrate his recovery.

RonFest is set for March 26 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Elks Lodge, 265 NE Fourth Ave., Delray.

A group of about 30 of Ron’s friends have gotten together to create “RonFest” – A night of… friends, food & music to celebrate life and to raise much needed funds for medical equipment and supplies for Ron.

Attendees will indulge in four hours of amazing food provided by Delray’s best local restaurants, Live music by Delray’s own “Taller Cotton Band” ( Steve Martel & Co! ) and there is a special surprise that even we can’t reveal.

 The evening will be emceed by legendary DJ “Johnny Hollywood” who is coming out of retirement for this special event! There will also be a cash bar and LOTS of awesome raffle prizes!

Suggested donation is $25.00 – You can pre-pay ( Strongly suggested as we expect a huge turnout ) by clicking on our eventbrite site: https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=1523553991 or you can pay at the door with cash or credit card –

If you can’t attend the event, Ron’s friends have set up a trust account at Iberia Bank on South Federal Highway in Delray – The account is under the name “RonFest” and donations can be dropped off there during business hours. https://www.mybanktracker.com/branch/IBERIABANK/FL/Delray-Beach/33483/900-Se-6th-Avenue-110230

Weekend Best Bets: Art, Jazz Cool Temps & Hot Tuna

Lauren Kinhan plays Sunday night

Lauren Kinhan plays Arts Garage Sunday night

As usual, it’s an action packed weekend in Delray Beach and Boca Raton.

Jan. 18 and 19 is the Downtown Festival of the Arts, widely considered one of the region’s top art events. Come to Atlantic Avenue and enjoy hundreds of exhibitors and a wide range of mediums.

Get in the mood tonight by visiting Artist’s Alley on Third Avenue, where there is an open studio night featuring great local works, wine and good cheer.

Tomorrow night, the Delray Center for the Arts at Old School Square continues its popular free Friday night concert series with rock cover band The Fabulous Fleetwoods. Enjoy food trucks and bring a blanket. The music kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s a look at some other best bets:

Bob Margolin  and Lauren Kinhan at the Arts Garage

If you love good music, you will adore Bob Margolin.
The veteran guitarist will play Delray’s Arts Garage, Saturday at 8 p.m..
Take it from us, don’t miss him.
Says Bob: “I play what feels right at the moment, whether it’s featuring my original songs, telling stories, joking and talking with the audience… I am a musician playing for my friends.”
Tickets begins at $25, visit www.artsgarage.org and reserve yours.
On Sunday at 7 p.m. Lauren Kinhan will sing jazz . Ms. Kinhan is best known as a member of the Grammy Winning group “New York Voices.”
Another strong weekend at the Arts Garage.
P.S. congratulations on the Garage’s 9 Carbonell Award nominations and in all the cool categories too.

A Night of Miracles and Music” to Benefit Milagro Center

Sponsored by the Delray Beach Initiative

The Delray Beach Initiative will be hosting “A Night of Miracles and Music” this Saturday, January 18th, 2014 at Kevro’s Art Bar from 6:30 – 10:30 PM to benefit the Milagro Center. Highlights of the night include the outstanding talents of Teri Catlin, JD Danner and Michelle Lynn as well as dazzling artwork by Milagro students on display and for sale, and a variety of interesting raffle prizes. This event is sponsored by the Delray Beach Initiative and hosted by Delray Beach’s own Steve Martel. Attendees will be asked for a suggested donation of $10 at the door. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information on the event, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Steve Martel at 561-573-3728 or visit www.steveandlorimartel.com.

Located in one of the most economically challenged neighborhoods in Delray Beach, Milagro (which means “miracle” in Spanish) Center is a nonprofit organization providing cultural arts, academic support, non-sectarian Living Values education and mentoring to the community’s most at-risk children living at or below the federal poverty level. Students attending Milagro Center gain an indestructible sense of self worth and succeed academically through participation in Milagro’s uniquely integrated curriculum. This past academic school year, 100% of the children attending Milagro Center were promoted to the next grade level. This is a significant outcome, considering that nearly 40% of all at-risk youth nationwide do not graduate from high school. Milagro Center’s social impact on the community at large is evident in the success of its children.

“The support of the community is vital to ensuring the long-term success of a child who starts life at risk of educational and social failure,” says Milagro Center’s Executive Director Barbara Stark. “With the involvement of caring and committed individuals and local companies, the cycle of poverty and academic failure can be reversed. We hope the community will support us by coming out to this fun event and by doing so, help to ensure that our children will have a better and brighter future.”

Blues Festival & Theatre Highlights Upcoming Shows at Mizner Park

For some of us from the 1960s, the upcoming Boca Sunshine Music & Blues Festival at Mizner Park just might be something to consider. Jeff probably missed out on some of these bands, but I can certainly  make a recommendation for the youngsters…After all, there really hasn’t been any good music made after the late 70s.

So, on Saturday, January 18 on two stages at Mizner Park there will be an all-day festival featuring some great acts, including several of my personal favorites – Hot Tuna and Leon Russell. Others highlighting the event include the Tedeschi Trucks Bank, Galactic, Stanley Clarke, the Ringers and several others.

Doors open at the Mizner Park Amphitheater at 11:30 and the show starts at noon. For ticket and more information, visit www.sunshinemusicandblues.com.

For The Culture Vultures

It’s a busy weekend, and for you culture vultures the Outre Theatre Company is presenting The Journey Jan. 17-19 also at Mizner Park. The Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m. Sunday, the show starts at 7 p.m. Visit www.theoutretheatrecompany.com for more information.

Our recommendation: Don’t miss Hot Tuna!!

 

 

 

 

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Weekend Best Bets: Miracle League, Plays and a Guitar Legend

Calvin Newton put the jazz in jazz guitar

Calvin Newborn put the jazz in jazz guitar

Spring Training Game

We love the Miracle League and all the volunteers who give children of all abilities a chance to play baseball. We especially adore and respect Miracle League founders Jeff and Julia Kadel for their years of dedication and vision.

That’s why we urge readers of yourdelrayboca.com to attend a special “spring training” game 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12.

 Spring Training will be hosted by Professor Ted Curtis and his Lynn University students as a part of their “Day of Caring”, a special effort  in memory and honor of the anniversary of the Haiti earthquake.

See you at Miller Field.

Jay Blues Band

The Friday night concert series at Delray Center for the Performing Arts continues Friday night with a 7:30 p.m. performance by the Jay Blues Band.

Admission is free, donations are accepted and the food trucks are awesome. So is the music.

Hummingbird Wars Opens At Arts Garage

The opening performance of “The Hummingbird Wars” is set for Jan. 10.

 A soldier returns home from his tour of duty in Afghanistan to the arms of his family only to discover that the home front has become the new battlefront.

Sounds very interesting.

The plan runs Jan 10 – Feb 2.

Wednesday – Friday 7:30pm ; Saturday & Sunday 2pm.

Visit www.artsgarage.org for tickets and more information.

Guitar Legend at Arts Garage

Meet guitar legend Calvin Newborn and the Al Water Sextet when they play Delray’s famous hot spot, Saturday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m.

Newborn played on B.B. King’s first recordings, taught Elvis how to dance, and tore up the Big Apple in the heyday of bop. Hey…Dave told me he did those things and he would know.

Visit www.artsgarage.org for more info.

 

It’s not a Weekend Event…but

Start Your Charitable New Year right.

 Place of Hope at the Haven in western Boca Raton invites south county residents to start their New Year off with a charitable heart.

 On Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m., Place of Hope at the Haven welcomes those who are interested in helping area foster children.

 Learn more about the organization’s mission, expansion and renovation plans and new campus at its first 2014 kickoff Cocktail Party. Hosted by Jan Rothenberg and the Florida South chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

 

 

 

 

Weekend Best Bets: Happy Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Thanksgiving from yourdelrayboca.com

Happy Thanksgiving from yourdelrayboca.com

Boca Tree lighting tonight; Menorah lighting in Delray

If you’re wondering what to do before Thanksgiving, head on over to Boca Raton and help Mayor Whelchel light the holiday tree tonight.

The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. at Mizner Park Amphitheater.

The event is being billed as the start of a new tradition and includes snow (really), rides, fireworks, carolers and a few surprises.

Of course, you can then hit the stores and restaurants at Mizner Park.

Festivities run through 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy!

If you’re in Delray, head on over to the Delray Center for the Arts at Old School Square for a menorah lighting ceremony at about 5:15 p.m.

Happy Hanukkah everyone!

Next best thing to T.P.

Next best thing to T.P.

 

A tribute to Tom Petty

We love Tom Petty.

We’ve seen him and the Heartbreakers a bunch of times and he’s amazing.

Tom Petty will not be in Delray this weekend, but “The Petty Hearts” will be.

As Tom might say, “the waiting is the hardest part”.

The Delray Center for the Arts’ Free Friday night concert series continues Nov. 29 with a Tom Petty Tribute.

The show kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Be there, The Petty Hearts are awesome.

Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving Weekend Art Festival

It has become a Thanksgiving tradition.

The 14th annual Downtown Delray Art Festival runs November 30th & December 1st from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The festival takes place on Atlantic and 4th Avenue.

If you’re an art lover or looking for holiday gifts, you’ll enjoy the festival which is produced by Howard Alan Events and features hundreds of artists.

The festival is a juried show and features hand-crafted artwork including glass, photography, painting, mixed media, jewelry and more.

An art giveaway will give festival patrons an opportunity to win original artwork by participating artist John Galbo. “Reflections” is a 30″x34″ gallery wrapped photography piece valued at $395. The piece will be on display at John’s booth throughout the weekend where registration will also take place until 4:00 pm on Sunday when the winning ticket will be drawn. John’s work can be found on his website: www.johngalbo.com.  No purchase is necessary to participate in the giveaway.

 

Life is a cabaret

Life is a cabaret

Arts Garage Cabaret Series: Billy Stritch

The London Times says this about Billy Stritch:  “Stritch is not afraid to dazzle!”

Well, if it’s good enough for The London Times it’s good enough for us.

Stritch headlines The Arts Garage’s Cabaret Series, Friday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.

Stritch is a Grammy winning composer who specializes in the American songbook. He’s also a colorful performer and accomplished jazz pianist.

Billy’s early inspiration came from great jazz pianists like Oscar Peterson and George Shearing, pop stars Elton John and Billy Joel, and singers Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Mark Murphy and Carmen McRae.  Billy’s celebrated trio Montgomery, Plant & Stritch performed with Mel Torme at Carnegie Hall, and regularly at the Newport Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival.  For more than 20 years, Billy has been a musical supervisor, producer, pianist, and arranger for Liza Minnelli.  He has performed at cabaret venues across the nation, as well as at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, at Feinstein’s in New York, The Cinegrill in Hollywood, Birdland, the London Palladium, NHK Hall in Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro’s Municipale Auditorium.

Now he’dere in downtown Delray. Visit www.artsgarage.org for tickets.

 

Count on a few surprises when Drew Tucker hits the stage

Count on a few surprises when Drew Tucker hits the stage

Drew Tucker and Special Guests

Most locals know Drew Tucker as a debonair musician about town. But if you haven’t seen him perform live, you’re really in for a treat.

Drew, a multi-instrumentalist, promises a blow out performance 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 at The Arts Garage.

Vibraphone, marimba, percussion—Drew plays them all.

For this special performance he has surrounded himself with some of the top musicians in the country.

Also expect special guests including Delray’s own “Double Trouble (as seen on TV’s X Factor), Zoe Fromer and we heard one member of the renowned Black Violin.

A can’t miss show.

Visit www.artsgarage.org for tickets.

 

 

Weekend Best Bets: Jazz, Santana, Stiletto Edition

Stiletto Race Benefits Achievement Centers

Stiletto Race Benefits Achievement Centers


Stiletto Race Tonight
There will be a stiletto race in downtown Delray Beach tonight.
Yep. You got that right; people will be sprinting through the streets wearing high heels.
We aren’t the most fun town in Florida for nothing.
The Second Annual Vince Canning Stiletto Race is actually a benefit for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families, one of our favorite charities.
There will be a variety of categories for those brave enough to run in stilettos.
Among them:
Women’s 75 Meter Dash; Men’s 75 Meter Dash; College Competition; Silver Sneaker 65+ ; Waiter Race; Relay; Sexy Strut; Most Creative Shoe; Costume Grand Supreme.
Races begin at 6 and run through 9:30 p.m. on SE 4th Avenue and Atlantic Avenue.
If you don’t want to run, you’ll certainly want to watch.
Delray Stiletto Race Event Road Closures
During the event, the following road closures will be in effect:
SE 4th Avenue will be closed from Atlantic Avenue to SE 1st Street, 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm on Thursday, November 21st.
For event information, please call (561) 266-0003. For road closure information, contact the City’s Public Information Office at (561) 243-7190 or E-mail pio@mydelraybeach.com.

Artists and Entrepreneurs at Artist’s Alley
Tonight from 6-9 p.m., you’ll want to be in Artist’s Alley (near Third Avenue and Third Street in downtown Delray) for their monthly Open Studio and Gallery night.
Great art, friendly artists, wine, snacks and a funky atmosphere made possible by the collection of artists who have breathed new life into a once moribund part of town.
The alley runs north and south between NE 3rd and 4th Streets, east of 3rd Avenue and west of the RR tracks. You’ll also want to check out their new website www. ArtistsAlleyDelray.com
So what about the entrepreneurs? We’re glad you asked.
Innovate Palm Beach is participating in “Global Entrepreneurship Week” by co-founding “The Art Of The Start”, a fusion of art, technology and innovation. AOS is an officially sanctioned Global Entrepreneurship Week event, and that event is set for tonight in Artist’s Alley.
Over 200 entrepreneurs, startups, innovators and funders will descend upon “Artist Alley” for an evening of networking plus hands on displays and presentations by the Delray Beach’s top entrepreneurs and startups.
The event begins at 5pm with a launch party hosted by 3rd & 3rd. Then the attendees will visit the specially designed host resource center and then mingle with the dozens of artists and makers who will be opening their galleries and maker spaces that evening. There will be live music throughout the event provided by Delray Beach’s own “Arts Garage”. The evening will end with an after party back at 3rd & 3rd hosted by Crane’s Beachhouse with more networking and a few surprises
The goal is to highlight Delray Beach as an entrepreneurial friendly city. To that, this event is co-produced by The City of Delray Beach, The Greater Delray Beach Chamber Of Commerce, The Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative, Innovate Palm Beach and www.thereef.biz.

A Santana Tribute Extraordinaire

A Santana Tribute Extraordinaire


A Tribute to Santana
Carlos Santana is a rock legend.
He’s not coming to Delray. We saw him last week in Vegas.
But his music will be featured during the free Friday Night Concert Series at the Delray Center for the Arts. “Galo’s Tribute to Santana” kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
Galo is an awesome Santana tribute band and you’ll hear all the hits including “Black Magic Woman, “Oye Como Va” and “Gipsy Queen.”
If you love Latin flavored rock and great guitar work, don’t miss this show.
See you at the pavilion.

Trunk Show Benefits Historical Society
If you prefer jewelry design to Santana, we have a selection for you.
The Delray Beach Historical Society presents “Auriolus Art” featuring the designs of Dr. Doug Layton, a master jewelry designer, historian and artist.
This exclusive trunk show will benefit the Historical Society Friday, Nov. 22.
An open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3 Northeast First Street.
A lecture and trunk show will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.
We recently had a chance to chat with Dr. Layton at an Artist’s Alley event. He’s fascinating and this show is highly recommended. Tell Tara we sent you.
For more information, please call 274-9578.

Icons in Delray

Icons in Delray

The Lettermen In Concert
After you perused the trunk show, you’ll want to head back to the Delray Center for the Arts to catch a performance by The Lettermen.
The legend trio are in town Nov. 22, 23 and 24.
Performances are set for Friday, 8:00 pm; Saturday, 2 & 8 pm; Sunday, 2 pm; tickets $45.
One of the most popular vocal groups in music history continues to entertain audiences with their iconic, smooth sound. The trio has seen members come and go over the past 50 years, but group leader Tony Butala has been a constant. Today’s trio includes Butala, Bobby Poynton and Donovan Tea singing the songs that made The Lettermen famous.
For tickets visit www.delraycenterforthearts.org

Doug Bell &B Bellevue Cadillac roll into the garage

Doug Bell &B Bellevue Cadillac roll into the garage


Doug Bell at The Arts Garage
If you love a variety of musical styles, don’t miss Doug Bell and Bellevue Cadillac, Friday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. at The Arts Garage.
Bellevue Cadillac has been performing nationally and internationally for years and you’ll hear jazz, blues, gospel, Philly Soul and Doo Wop, not to mention some music you may recognize from TV shows. The Bellevue Cadillac’s sound has been used on The Soprano’s, Sex And The City and the film Shallow Hal and Me, Myself and Irene.
Visit www.artsgarage.org for tickets and more information.

Holiday Crafts
We’ve given you music, we’ve given you jewelry, art and entrepreneurs.
But we haven’t forgotten about the upcoming holiday season.
The Southern Handcraft Society Holiday Craft Show and Sale is a must see and runs November 21, 22, and 23 at the Vintage Gymnasium at the Delray Center for the Arts.
Thursday and Friday hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; free admission.
The Pineapple Grove Chapter of the Southern Handcraft Society presents their 21st annual juried craft show featuring a variety of handmade gifts, ornaments, jewelry, woodcrafts, cards, quilts, stitchery, toys, trees, dolls, home décor and tasty treats!

Final Week For A Brilliant Show at The Arts Garage
Don’t miss your final chance to see “The Longing And The Short Of It” a wonderful song cycle about the hilarious, heart-wrenching, and thoroughly messy business of being human; a new collection of theatre songs for our time which has it final few shows at The Arts Garage.
The show, which has received rave reviews features the songs of Daniel Mate”. The production runs through Nov. 24.
For show times and information visit www.artsgarage.org

Water Cooler Wednesday: The Arts Drive Delray

Black Violin inspired hundreds of children in Delray last week

Black Violin inspired hundreds of children in Delray last week

If you were one of the lucky people to have snagged a ticket to the sold-out performance of “Black Violin” at Plumosa Elementary School of the Arts last Saturday night, you experienced a magical night.

Two local musicians– Wil B. and Kev Marcus– rocked the house with a unique blend of classical hip-hop. People were literally dancing in the aisles at a violin concert. We kid you not.

The duo first took violin lessons in a public grade school and later teamed up at Dillard High in Fort Lauderdale, a partnership that eventually led to international appearances and touring with the likes of Alicia Keys.

Music was the key to their success; the spark that made school matter to two young men.

A similar spark saved Rashad and Tashad Gardenhire, two 20 year old Delray Beach twins who turned a nightmarish childhood into something positive through their music.

Performing as “Double Trouble”, the duo doesn’t shy away from their story: a father serving a life sentence and bouncing around in the foster care system.

Music saved their lives and may yet make them rich and famous. They are certainly off to a good start with a performance on TV’s “X Factor.” They warmed up for Black Violin and the local crowd loved them.

Rashad and Tashad are electrifying performers, putting their own spin to classics such as “Ain’t No Sunshine” and the Leonard Cohen staple “Hallelujah” which takes on new layers when you know their story.

From the stage they acknowledged the influence that Delray’s renowned Arts Garage has had on their young careers, giving them their first chance to perform as headliners in September with another show scheduled for later this month.

Meanwhile, at Plumosa Elementary School, once endangered with dwindling enrollment, a new facility and an arts magnet has reignited passion for the school—as evidenced by Saturday’s sold-out performance and a similar packed house for students and parents Friday.

Yes, the arts are an engine. Culture sparks creativity, inspiration, passion, joy and economic development.

Delray’s renaissance was sparked by the restoration of Old School Square, now known as the Delray Center for the Arts. The Arts Garage has benefitted Pineapple Grove, gained regional recognition and attracted serious music and theater fans from far and wide. But aside from providing unforgettable performances in an intimate venue—the same night that Black Violin performed legendary jazz guitarist Larry Coryell was performing for a standing room only house—the Arts Garage is teaching a generation of new artists through lessons and master classes.

A similar dynamic has been happening for more than 20 years at the Delray Center for the Arts, which also offers classes and a photography school that inspired students like Delray resident Stephanie Brown to pursue a career in the field. Today, Ms. Brown studies at the prestigious Savannah College of Art & Design, where she runs a successful photo business and has been named one of that city’s top photographers. Ask Stephanie what inspired her and she’ll point to her experience at Old School Square where she received a scholarship to study—the class opened up a new world for her and others.

A few blocks north of the Delray Center for the Arts, sits the newly branded Artist’s Alley, a blossoming enclave of professional artists who occupy warehouse space and host monthly gallery strolls that attract large crowds to once empty streets. Those artists were inspired to set up shop—in part—because of the Delray CRA’s decision to purchase an old warehouse that will soon become an arts warehouse—hopefully with some room for start-up businesses as well.

In short, the arts inspire but they also drive the local economy, making Delray Beach more than just a place with great restaurants, a nice beach and a bunch of events.

Recently retired Cultural Council Vice President Bill Nix once said that Delray needs to become not just an importer of the arts (by providing venues for visiting artists to perform) but an exporter as well. We need to become a city that produces artists and entrepreneurs and a place that attracts those who want to grow in their chosen creative field.

We should be proud to say that we are well on our way. Rashad and Tashad, Stephanie and the many students being touched by Drew Tucker at The Arts Garage and others at the Delray Center for the Arts are proof that young artists are finding a place to pursue their talents in Delray.

And this is just the start.

The Milagro Center has done a tremendous job over the years using arts education to reach needy children.

Plumosa is at capacity enrollment in large part because of a new facility and an emphasis on the arts.

Delray should be proud of the investments it has made in culture and the arts. It has positioned our city as a magnet for the creative class who are driving the 21st century economy.

Like any investment, we should expect a return. And we are, with new businesses, visitors, rising property values downtown and a growing reputation as a creative and progressive city. Some of the returns are tangible—measured in investment dollars. But there’s another type of return that is also valuable: quality of life and the quality of lives transformed and inspired by the arts.

 

Weekend Best Bet: Barrelhouse Chuck

Eddie Kendricks says Barrelhouse Chuck has soul.

Eddie Kendricks says Barrelhouse Chuck has soul.

With a name like Barrelhouse Chuck, you have to be good.

This weekend, we recommend you boogie on down to The Arts Garage to catch Barrelhouse Chuck in concert, Saturday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $25-$35 in advance, $5 extra at the door. Visit www.artsgarage.org and reserve your tickets asap, the Arts Garage sells out frequently.

Barrelhouse Chuck is a piano player in the Chicago Blues tradition. He’s the only Chicago pianist to have studied under Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Blind John Davis, Detroit Junior and Little Brother Montgomery.

Barrelhouse is what they call a “musician’s musician.” In other words, the legends love him.

Consider these testimonials:

“Who’s playin’ that piano? You play my *#@&  good!” 
- Muddy Waters.

“You got soul, man!” 
- Eddie Kendricks, former lead singer  of The Temptations.

“Can you leave tomorrow? I want you to join my band.” 
- Albert King.

Barrelhouse Chuck has played all over the world and has played and recorded with legends ranging from Otis Rush and Buddy Guy to Eddie Taylor and Hubert Sumlin.

If you love Chicago piano based blues hit the Arts Garage in Pineapple Grove this Saturday.