virtusio
Jessi Virtusio biography
Jessi Virtusio has been the SouthtownStar’s arts and entertainment editor since November 2007, when the Daily Southtown and Star Newspapers merged.
The Weekend magazine, …
Read More-
Gig of the Week: Porky’s Rib Fest
Summer is a glorious time for a live music fan. With plenty of outdoor concerts, the Southland is buzzing with offerings that bring back memories and can create new ones. Case in point is the inaugural Porky’s Rib Fest, which will take place from June …Read More
-
Hot Picks: Fine Arts Fair, ‘Stuart Little’
Here is a look at top events you won’t want to miss. Suggestions include the Fine Arts Fair in Frankfort, M&R Rush in Oak Lawn and a screening of “Stuart Little” in New Lenox.
-
Cairns co-directs the Drama Group’s ‘God of Carnage’
Chuck Cairns and his wife, Deb, originally planned to audition to act in the Drama Group’s production of “God of Carnage.” But when the original director of the comedy-drama had to back out, the Cairns put in a bid to direct it and landed the …Read More
Search recent columns
More Columns
Gig of the Week: Main Street Nights
With warmer weather, there are many entertainment options for Southlanders. One that offers free events is Main Street Nights, which will run on Wednesdays from June 12-Aug. 7. “The community supports it,” said Chuck Sabey, who has coordinated the outdoor summer entertainment series for four …
FYI on FMBA: Q87.7 Piqniq in Tinley Park
Q87.7 Piqniq will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in June. Find out more and watch videos by the reported acts on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.
Summer festivals in the Southland 2013
Here is a look at the summer festivals set for the Southland from May to September. Updates posted on 5/29 include the Starry Nights concert series presented by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District.
The Locked & Reloaded Tour featuring Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley with Brett Eldredge and the Cadillac III will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in September. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.
Follow @JessiVirtusio on Twitter
Are you looking for daily suggestions of what to do in the Southland? Then follow @JessiVirtusio on Twitter. Jessi Virtusio, the SouthtownStar’s arts and entertainment editor, tweets links to the Get Up and Go! feature, which runs Mondays-Fridays. She also shares links to the Weekend …
Farmers Insurance will present the Live and Loud Tour featuring Rascal Flatts with the Band Perry and Cassadee Pope from “The Voice” at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in August. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.
Hot Picks: Award show, BACinema screens ‘Quartet’
Here is a look at top events you won’t want to miss. Suggestions include the Celebration of Chicago Artists Award Show in University Park and the BACinema screening of “Quartet” in Chicago.
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre’s 2013 concert season
The 2013 summer concert season is a live music fan’s dream. A ton of great gigs are on the way, and many of them will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. “It’s a busy summer and there’s just a …
Elaborating on Entertainment: Beverly Theatre Guild’s 50th anniversary
The Beverly Theatre Guild is the oldest community theater group in Chicago and marking that milestore with “Fabulous @ Fifty.” More about the theater troupe can be found on Elaborating on Entertainment at blogs.southtownstar.com/entertainment.
Lil Wayne will bring his America’s Most Wanted Music Festival to First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in August. Support acts include Tip “T.I.” Harris and 2 Chainz. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.
Beverly Theatre Guild celebrates with ‘Fabulous @ Fifty’
Southland theater fans are spoiled — in a good way. Not only can they travel to downtown Chicago for a number of Broadway shows, but they also have a bevy of close-by community theater. Case in point is the Beverly Theatre Guild, which is billed …
Black Sabbath will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in August. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.
McMahon puts spin on Drama Group’s ‘The Wiz’
The theater bug bit Tyler McMahon at age 9 and he’s spent his 17 years since then involved both on and off the stage. McMahon, of Kankakee, is directing the Drama Group’s “The Wiz,” which will run May 3-5 in Chicago Heights. “It’s been my …
The Under the Influence of Music Tour featuring Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky and several other performers will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in July. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.
Hot Picks: Brian ‘Head’ Welch, ‘Lore’ at BACinema
Here is a look at top events you won’t want to miss. Suggestions include Brian “Head” Welch, former guitarist and co-founder of the metal band Korn, speaking at Calvary Church in Orland Park and BACinema’s screening of “Lore” at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago. …
The Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival featuring Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction and several other bands will be at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park in August. Find out more including when tickets go on sale on FYI on FMBA at blogs.southtownstar.com/fmba.
Mallory Lewis talks about performing with Lamb Chop
It’s been more than 16 years since puppeteer Shari Lewis died, but her legacy and love for children lives on through her daughter. “It’s fabulous,” Mallory Lewis said of performing with the beloved character Lamb Chop all over the world. “A Lamb Chop Celebration Featuring …
