Former ‘Idol’ Lee DeWyze back in town

There’s nothing like a homecoming. On April 19, Season 9 American Idol winner Lee DeWyze returns to Viper Alley in Lincolnshire. DeWyze, who previously played Viper Alley’s anniversary show in 2012, hails from Mount Prospect.

Ravinia Festival tickets now on sale

Forget the calendar. Summer runs from June 6 through Sept. 15 at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, with more than 120 events, including more than 80 festival debuts.

Top musical talent sings at Siddons show

Thirteen of Chicago’s finest musical theater professionals will sing some of their favorite songs under the direction of Dominic Missimi and music direction of Doug Peck. Sounds like a must-see show.

Indigo Girls still a powerful two

Though their longtime friends and associates REM have recently disbanded, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are still going strong as the Grammy-winning folk-rock duo Indigo Girls.

Anne Frank-inspired concert at Ravinia

Anne Frank died at the age of 15 in a Nazi concentration camp, but her diary, left behind when she and her family were arrested in Amsterdam by German police, has made her name a household word.

Living in harmony suits Ars Viva couples

“Did music bring them together? Does music keep them together? We do sometimes marry the people we meet at work, so it’s no surprise that musicians marry musicians.

Musicians vanish, gender wars rage at PRCO concert

“The “Farewell” is Haydn’s Symphony No. 45, a work unique in that composer’s vast output. It seems that Haydn’s patron Prince Esterhazy had kept the court musicians for an extended time at his summer palace. The men, missing their wives, wanted to return home.

Artemis Singers perform works they love

Artemis Singers, Chicago’s lesbian feminist chorus, which takes its name from the Greek goddess of the hunt, will present a highly individualized concert Jan. 19 in Skokie.

Chamber music fest warms up winter at NU

If it’s January, it must be time for the Winter Chamber Music Festival at Northwestern University. This is the 17th year chamber music fans will gather in the 989-seat Pick-Staiger Concert Hall alongside Lake Michigan, heedless of the wind and weather, to enjoy performances by local, national and even internationally acclaimed chamber musicians.

Norwegian group never stops singing

It’s not often that a singing society stands the test of time for nearly 150 years. But the all-male Normennenes Singing Society of Chicago — a chorus where most of the singers have roots in Norway — has done just that.

Big Band concert will aid jazz students

It will be an evening of fine, big band jazz to support a new generation of jazz musicians. “I’m proud of what we’re doing and accomplishing in this short time with Jazz Community, in we’re keeping Bill’s memory alive with the music he loved through the band he created and built,” said Marianne May of Norridge.

Orchestras tuning up for busy season

Summer is winding down, but things are just warming up for area orchestras. Here is a look at the upcoming classical music season.

Ars Viva Symphony

Orchestra opens its season Sunday, Sept. 23 with Khachaturian’s “Masquerade” Suite; the Brahms Double Concerto with soloists David Taylor, …

Ravinia extends classical concert season

Building on the success of the summer’s many classical concerts in Bennett Gordon Hall for $10 each, the Ravinia Festival is presenting eight programs in the 450-seat theater this season for that very attractive price.

Titled “BGH $10 classics,” the series runs October through April …

Keb’ Mo’ busts through blues boundaries

Keb’ Mo’ says he feels validation after hearing his fans shout requests for songs—and not just his older songs, but also the ones on his 2011 album, “The Reflection.”

“All the songs were received very warmly — much more warmly than some of the reviews,” …

Hall & Oates bringing ‘rock ’n’ soul’ to Ravinia

Darryl Hall and John Oates, one of the most influential rock duos during the Reagan years, return to Ravinia on Sept. 1. Better known as Hall & Oates, the two men rocked the pop stage with their rock and R&B fusion throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, en route to being named Billboard’s best duo of all time.