southtownstar.suntimes.com

Chicago Opera Theater to launch 2014 season with an Ellington rarity

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:11:40 -0500

In announcing its 2014 season, Chicago Opera Theater continues to move in different directions from its recent past while building on its strong bond with its general director’s Southern California company. Duke Ellington’s “Queenie Pie,” inspired by the life of black entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, will launch the season Feb. 15-23.

Ticketmaster settles rewards lawsuit for $23M

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:56:00 -0500

Ticketmaster has agreed to settle claims for up to $23 million over a lawsuit affecting more than a million people who, after buying a ticket online, were enrolled in a rewards program that cost $9 a month but never gave them any benefits.

Dwight Twilley perfectly content to churn out CDs

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:55:06 -0500

A documentary is in the works about Dwight Twilley, and in addition to featuring songs from the pop-rocker’s four-decade career (including his pair of No. 16 hits, “I’m on Fire” in 1975 and “Girls” in 1984) the film features several new autobiographical songs Twilley wrote and recorded for the occasion. But you know how film projects go — slowly. With no wrap date in sight for the film, Twilley went ahead and released the songs last year as “Soundtrack.” “This film doesn’t seem to be speeding down the track, that’s for sure,” Twilley says. “I have no control over it. …

Crowd Pleasers for May 17, 2013

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:22:45 -0500

Here is a look at some crowd pleasers. Events include Gaelic Park Players hosting the 20th annual Acting Irish International Theatre Festival in Oak Forest, Grande Prairie Singers' concert in Park Forest, and Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra’s concert in Orland Park.

Music streaming, gaming among new Google services

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:06:01 -0500

Google’s sixth annual conference for software developers opened Wednesday with a chance for the company to showcase the latest mobile devices running its Android software, while also unveiling other features in its evolving product line-up. Announcements include new tools for online games and a music-streaming service that will allow Android users to listen to their favorite songs and artists for a monthly fee.

FYI on FMBA: Rascal Flatts in Tinley Park

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:57:51 -0500

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.

Google unveils $10-a-month ‘All Access’ music plan

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:23:39 -0500

Google Inc. unveiled a streaming music service called All Access that blends songs users have already uploaded to their online libraries with millions of other tracks for a $10 monthly fee.

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre’s 2013 concert season

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:07:24 -0500

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 lot of great artists on the road and great shows coming through,” said Jon Reens, senior director of marketing/Midwest for Live Nation, which operates FMBA. “They run the gamut on style and they run the gamut on format. It’s an extremely wide-ranging summer season.” The outdoor venue is boasting the most amount of country concerts …

Cassie Taylor, daughter of Otis, sings her own blues

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:15:13 -0500

Blues songstress Cassie Taylor spent years traveling the world and jamming alongside her multitalented pop, prominent Chicago-born blues artist father, Otis Taylor. Now 26, Cassie is cultivating a solo career and touring to promote a new album called “Out of My Mind.” “I love artists like Madonna who did sex really well,” she says. “It was always very provocative, it was always very edgy, but it was never slutty. And that’s really what I go for — striking that balance between femininity and sexuality and being strong and independent.” Q. You played music with your father for eight years. What …

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre’s 2013 schedule

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:12:02 -0500

Here are the shows so far for the 2013 season at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park, (708) 614-1616. Tickets are or will be available soon at LiveNation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, the box office and at (800) 745-3000. Lawn and pit tickets are general admission. MAY 11 BRAD PAISLEY’s Beat This Summer Tour with Chris Young and Lee Brice ♦ 7 p.m. ♦ Tickets, $19.25 for lawn, $26.25-$54.25 for first or second pavilion and $54.25 for pit MAY 24 TIM MCGRAW’s Two Lanes of Freedom Tour with Brantley Gilbert and Love and Theft ♦ 7 p.m. …

Chicago band Kids These Days confirms breakup

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:11:16 -0500

“It was definitely a creative thing,” Liam Cunningham told the Sun-Times. “When we started the band, we were all 15 years old, and we’ve all grown musically since then. I think everybody felt a bit suffocated.”

FYI on FMBA: Lil Wayne in Tinley Park

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:18:30 -0500

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.

Love helps Rod Stewart overcome writer’s block

Tue, 07 May 2013 23:18:20 -0500

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Rod Stewart has never shied from the spotlight, but on this day, the famously cheeky rocker wants a softer glow. He’s waiting to be interviewed on camera about his first album of original music in almost 20 years, and the lighting inside the fitness center of his Beverly Hills compound isn’t quite right. He calls for his No. 1 expert to check it out. “My wife’s on her way over,” he says. When Penny Lancaster arrives, legs all the way up to her tousled blonde ponytail, she looks through the camera and insists on softer …

FYI on FMBA: Black Sabbath in Tinley Park

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:40:57 -0500

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.

Rapper Ja Rule leaves upstate New York federal prison

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:30:01 -0500

ALBANY, N.Y. — Federal authorities say platinum-selling rapper Ja Rule has left federal prison. The 36-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, left a state prison in central New York in February after serving most of his two-year sentence for illegal gun possession, going straight into federal custody in a tax evasion case. The Federal Bureau of Prisons says he left a correctional facility in the central Adirondacks on Tuesday, though time remains on his sentence. The bureau says his release date technically remains July 28, with possible community-based supervision for the balance. TMZ reports his wife picked him …

FYI on FMBA: Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky tour

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:06:17 -0500

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.