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Lee DeWyze

American Idol Winner, Season 9

Thursday, October 26 - 7 PM

Hobart Art Theater

With an earnest ability to create a delicate balance of harmony, melody, deep emotion and subtlety, Lee DeWyze’s depth as a songwriter call to mind some of his earliest influences like Simon and Garfunkel, Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens) and Johnny Cash. His releases “Victims Of The Night” (April 2020), and “Castles” (Oct 2019), have garnered over 1M streams. His latest singles have been lauded as well. “Weeds” (Oct 2020) is currently highlighted on the largest folk playlist Chill Folk, and his single, “Horizon” (Apr 2021), was featured in the motion picture The Secret: Dare To Dream, starring Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas. Over the last 10 years, Lee has released five albums, including his critically lauded Frames (Vanguard Records, 2013), which included the top 40 Billboard Hot AC hit “Fight.” In 2014, his song “Blackbird Song” (over 20M streams) was featured in the TV show The Walking Dead. After signing with Shanachie Records in 2016, Lee released the album Oil and Water, which hit Number One on the iTunes folk and singer/songwriter chart, followed by Paranoia (2018), which hit Number One on the Alternative chart. As the winner of American Idol Season 9 in 2010, he made his major label debut with Live It Up (RCA). Lee’s songs have appeared in over 70 movies, TV shows, and commercials. His latest success was his song “Castles”, which highlighted the season finale of Station 19 (#1 show on ABC). His video for “Castles” won 11 awards world-wide (Los Angeles, NY, and London) for best animated video with TIFF (The International Film Festival).

Bopology

Chicago's Original Swing Band

Thursday, November 16 - 7 PM

Woodland Oakwood Hall

Enjoy vintage swing musicianship that only years of experience provides. Established in 1992, the Swing revival was just beginning when Bopology became part of Chicago’s music fabric. Having three CD’s to their credit and nominated by the Chicago Reader as a 2017 Best Jazz Band, Bopology is still an active influence in the vintage sound community. With their unique music style of 1950’s and 1960’s sound delivered through an immersion in Modern Swing, Bopology recreates the swing revival of 1998 – 2002, including on their playlist music from the movie The Mask (1996 Warner Bros. Jim Carey), along with jazz standards and jump blues.

Adela, Cellist

Cello Celebration

Sunday, March 24 - 3 PM

Woodland Sycamore Hall

Music has always been about collaboration for Adela. A multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from the Chicago area, Adela works closely with others to bring a song's truest essence to life. Her debut album Your Wifi Signal Has Been Lost (2016) has been described as elegant and whimsical, and her style, lauded as free-sprinted and diverse, draws from a range of influences - blues, folk, pop and classical music. Adela started an FM radio program in the Chicago area featuring the music she loves. As a private teacher, Adela has provided instruction to students of all ages on cello, guitar, piano and ukelele. Moreover, her students have won seating placements at the annual ILMEA orchestra competition.

Mariachi Ameca

Back by Popular Demand!

Thursday, May 2 - 7 PM

Hobart Art Theater

Formed in the mid-1980’s, Mariachi Ameca is a popular family-based Mexican folk music mariachi band with three generations performing today on guitars, trumpets, and violins as well as showcasing talented vocalists. While a traditional mariachi band, they have also expanded to include some jazz and popular English tunes to their repertoire, which adds to their appeal to a wider audience. Mariachi Ameca performed at Six Flags Great America for about ten years and also made an appearance in the movie The Jackal, starring Bruce Willis. The costumes worn by the group along with their lively music adds a visually stunning experience to their exciting and dynamic show.