Dear Friends,

CPA Advisory Council Ex-Officio Members Welcome to Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts as we celebrate our 20th Elaine Maimon, President of GSU Lisa Corrao, Chair anniversary season. Cynthia Pryor, Vice Chair Deb Bordelon, Provost of GSU Reinhold Hill, Dean,

College of Arts and Science This season we present a stimulating variety of Merial Brown Lori Montalbano, Division Chair, Joyce Carmine Communication Visual and Performing Arts productions that can happen only when a public John Concepcion university works together with a vibrant community. David Curtis Emeritus Jeanne McInerney-Lubeck At GSU, you’ll get more than just a show. Immerse yourselves in the performing Inge Marra Christine Cochrane and visual arts. Stroll through the world renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Loleta Didrickson Leslie Sigale Park; visit the Visual Arts Gallery; enjoy literary discussions. You can sample Karen Trimuel Tom Dobrez Kathleen Field Orr Italian culinary and operatic treasures at our Viva Italia presentation, experience Priscilla Rockwell a night of Spanish culture with Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre, Evonne Yonover celebrate a longstanding love of Broadway musicals with Southland Area Theatre Ensemble, and ring in the holidays with Take 6 or The Nutcracker.

Our MADE IN series, generously supported by The Chicago Center for Performing Arts Staff Community Trust, highlights over 60 diverse artists in four signature events. You can enjoy the hottest Latin Jazz band, three generations of artists, Executive Director Lana Rogachevskaya passionate Bolero by Maurice Ravel, and award winning Ain’t Misbehavin’. Office Manager Mary Rothenberg Arts In Education Director Kathleen Brennan GSU’s Theatre and Performance Studies (TAPS) program presents two literary masterpieces: Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 in the fall, and Sarah Ruhl’s Technical Director Michael Krull Technical Assistant Tracey Offett Eurydice in the spring. A special thank you to the National Endowment for the Technical Assistant Jon Ortiz Arts Big Read program for supporting an array of literacy programs associated Technical Assistant Phillip Butowski with Fahrenheit 451.

Box Office Manager Patricia Guy Twenty years ago, a group of philanthropists in neighboring southland Box Office Assistant Lydia Schwartz communities donated their time, talent, and resources to build the Center, Box Office Assistant Erin Witt which today illuminates the lives of over 60,000 patrons annually. Please Box Office Student Worker Ingrid Anderson Box Office Student Worker Lisa Garman consider honoring their dedication by making a contribution to support our Arts Box Office Student Worker Lester Moody In Education program, which opens the theater free of charge to thousands of underserved students to see their first live performances. Your donation will Cultural Marketing Director Sharon Morrissey Marketing Specialist Jane Cox provide life changing experiences for students in our community.

Theater Manager Jon Cobb The Center for Performing Arts is essential to our concept of living in the midst House Manager Connie Gant-Collins of art. As a full service public university, GSU brings art to the public square Bar Manager/Ticketing Associate Malvina Jones for students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Sincerely,

Elaine P. Maimon, Ph.D. President Major funding for the “Made In Chicago” series has been provided by Your Seat in the Spotlight!

As Governors State University honor will be engraved on a Center for Performing Arts permanent metal plaque on the back celebrates its 20th anniversary of a luxurious, custom-designed season of operation, you are invited seat. COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY to participate in a very special opportunity. We invite you to take Your donation to the Seat Campaign The Chicago Community Trust is a community foundation a seat in our dazzling theater as a is tax-deductible as allowed by law. dedicated to improving our region through strategic grant making, Seat Donor. Accommodations will be made civic engagement and inspiring philanthropy. We are here to serve whenever possible for specific seat With your Seat Campaign gift of requests, but cannot be guaranteed. the nonprofit organizations, the generous donors and the thoughtful $500, you will become a permanent Seat name recognition does not residents who strive to make a difference, helping their bold vision part of one of the most exciting guarantee that seat for future create lasting community change. We work with a number of theaters in the region. The Seat performances. partnerships and initiatives to accomplish this work. Campaign offers you the chance As businesses, local governments, and organizations strive to to leave a lasting legacy and play a To participate or for more part in enhancing our community’s information contact Jackie Small solve pressing challenges, the Trust brings these key actors together way of life. at 708.235.2188 or email her at to spur necessary collaboration. Working together, connecting [email protected] . thoughtful donors with smart solutions, we leverage collective Great Gift Idea! knowledge, creativity and resources for a greater impact than any As a Seat Donor, your name or the of us can make alone. name of a loved one you choose to As the Trust begins our next century of service, our commitment is to the individuals working tirelessly to make our community stronger, healthier and more vibrant every day. Our new strategic plan defines three ideals for the work ahead: inspiring philanthropy, engaging residents and leading change on the biggest issues facing our region. http://www.cct.org Special Thanks to Rental Information The theater is available for rental use for many types of events. Contact the Theater Manager at 708.235.2237 for details, or download our Venue Packet at CenterTickets.net. Group Sales Groups of 20 or more should call 708.235.2222 for tickets to Field Trips, Family, and Mainstage shows. Ushers If you are interested in becoming a volunteer usher at GSU Center, please call the House Manager at 708.235.2219. Cameras/Recording Devices Audio and visual reproduction of any kind is prohibited. Please turn off all cell phones. Please refrain from bringing video cameras or any other types of recording equipment into the theater. Elevators An elevator serving the balcony is located at the east end of the main floor lobby. Do not use the elevator during an emergency. Emergency Fire Exits Emergency exits may be found outside each door to the hall and are clearly marked. The lighted “Exit” sign nearest your seat is the shortest route outdoors. Do not use the elevator during an emergency. Telephones Pay telephones are located just beyond the main floor lobby across from the “Will Call” window. Please remember to silence all cell phones while in the seating area. Smoke-Free Governors State University is a completely smoke-free facility. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on campus, inside or outside. Children All children, even those sitting in laps, must have their own tickets. We suggest children under one year old not attend performances. Assisted Services & Seating Special seating areas for wheelchair accessibility are available. Please contact the box office in advance to secure a seat in this area. Audio amplification is available for the hearing impaired free of charge. A driver’s license or other identification is all that is required for deposit. Restrooms Restrooms are located in the Celebrity Gallery in the outer lobby. Ticket Policies All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges on single ticket or group sales. Donor Listing If your donor listing is incorrect, please call 708.235.2811. We do our best to ensure accuracy and are grateful for your assistance if an error has been made. Late Seating Performances begin promptly as scheduled. For best service, plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to curtain time. As part of our commitment not to disturb other audience members, late arrivals may be seated at the back of the house by discretion of the house manager. You may move to your regular seats at intermission. BOX OFFICE: 708.235.2222 www.CenterTickets.net Serving you from 10am - 4pm Monday - Friday (6pm Thursday) and Two Hours Prior to CPA Curtain Time. All of us at GSU Center for Performing Arts would like to acknowledge the generosity of many who have made our success possible. The following is a list of funders who have donated $5000 or more in the past twenty years.

$100,000+ $50,000+ $25,000+ Pasquinelli Family Beverly Bancorp., Inc., Chicago Tribune Foundation Foundation Charles Ofenloch Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Sage Foundation Dr. Paula Wolff Pasquinelli The Arts Council & Wayne Whalen Charter One Bank The Chicago Community Illinois Dept. of Commerce The Duchossis Foundation Trust Foundation & & Community Affairs Mr. & Mrs. William Condon, Affiliates Arts Midwest The Condon Group, Ltd. Mr. & Mrs. James T. Reid Mrs. Terry Medhurst Pasquinelli Homes The Chicago Community Trust $10,000+ Ace Hardware Paint Division Anonymous $5,000+ $5,000+ (continued) Mr. & Mrs. Donald Beal Andrew Corporation, Mr.& Mrs. Theodore H. George & Jean Bernstein Andrew Foundation Krengel Century Steel Corporation, Anonymous Lexus Marshall Fields Mr. & Mrs. James Reid Mr. & Mrs. George Arquilla, Jr. Matteson Rotary Club Chicago Southland Convention AT&T Wilbur Morrison & Visitors Bureau Bank One Corporation Richard & Janet Neer Coldwell Banker, David & Barbara Barr NICOR Gas David B. Colmar Bimba Manufacturing Co., Jane Oelschlager Robert & Marletta Darnall Patrick Ormsby Old Second National Bank Dr. & Mrs. William H. Dodd Ed & Priscilla Bruske Anthony J. & Roxanne Kathleen Field Orr The Chicago Tribune Pasquinelli, Jr. Fifth Third Bank Citizens Savings Foundation Pathways Foundation Old Kent Bank Gordon & Christine Cochrane Mr. & Mrs. Donald L. Pizza Grand National ComEd James B. Fadim First Midwest Bank Mr. & Mrs. Aldo DeAngelis & Melissa Sage Fadim First National Bank of Joan Dobrez St. James Hospital Evergreen Park Stuart Fagan & Star / Daily Southtown FNB of Illinois, Ora Simcha Fagan Newspapers Gilbert Rynberk, Jr. Favorite Brands International Summit Laboratories Martin Freeman, Taxperts, Ltd. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Fulton Sutton’s Olympia Ford, Halikias Family Foundation The Graycor Companies, Mr. & Mrs. N. Sutton Gordon & Julie Henschel Melvin Gray Heritage Bank Harris Bank John Ladowicz Heartland Arts Fund Bert Hoffman Mid-America Arts Joliet Ballet Society Inter-Continental RE & D BRAVO! Jovon Broadcasting Corp. P. Halikias Dr. Antonio & Mrs. Inge Marra International Classic Virginia Pizza Arts Management Mr. & Mrs. H.P. Rockwell St. Paul Federal Bank Seehausen’s, Inc. Lynn & Jerry Thrall The Theatre and Performance Studies (TAPS) High School Theatre Collaborative, under the direction of GSU’s Division of Communication, Visual and Performing Arts and its new Theatre and Performance Studies program, aims to produce inspiring and entertaining theatre that helps young actors enhance their craft through active learning experiences and collaborations between Governors State University, area high schools, and the community.

Each spring, high school theatre groups may submit a proposal to GSU with the production concept that they wish to present in the summer. The TAPS program staff will review proposals and select a different partner each year to perform a full scale production on the stage of the Center for Performing Arts.

For submission details, please visit www.govst.edu/cas/taps/hstc. To our 2014-15 Supporters: THANK YOU! $10,000+ The Chicago Community Trust and Associates First Midwest Bank Terry Medhurst

$1000+ AAA Rental System Arts Midwest AT&T Boulevard Pediatrics $100+ Sara Acton Mrs. Jean Bernstein Leonard Bezat Dr. Joyce Carmine Dr. Deborah Bordelon Country Financial Kathleen Brennan Dr. and Mrs. Antonio Marra Joseph and Lynn Callahan Jeanne McInerney-Lubeck Julia Caroll The Illinois Arts Council Larry Coe Bernice Coffey Carol Collonnelli $500+ Paul Concepcion Sharon Banaszak Jon and Heather Evers Jane Bohlin Eugene Dumas SAVE THE DATE Merial Brown Mr. and Mrs. Walter G. Glascoff III Lisa Corrao Tenner Hemphill Samuel E. Debose Glenn Hopkins Marco Krcatovich Joseph and Lisa Horvath Ms. Maria Iafollo Ms. Virginia Wright K.G. Rep, Inc. Carolyn Lee Michelle Medhurst and $250+ Jeffrey D. Fortman Mary Harland Raymond A. Morrow Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lewis Mel and Janet Muchnik Dr. Rashidah Muhammad Gwen Nodiff, in Memory Cynthia Pryor of Edward Nodiff Ms. Lana Rogachevskaya Mr. and Mrs. Sam Ogrizovich Leslie and Jordan Sigale Ms. Karen Keil Stuenkel Jewel Townsend Karen Trimuel Lizzie, Donna, and Matt Wenzel Tamara Winn Charles and May Wiza Mr. Kenneth Youga Friday May 20, 2016 Governors State University Center For Performing Arts MADE IN CHICAGO series presents Sweet Home

March 5, 2016 - 8pm Three time Grammy nominee and the Sons of Blues will perform with Chicago Blues legends Eddie Shaw, Eddy "the Chief" Clearwater, Jimmy Burns, , and Taildragger as special guests. Also, Blues fans will get a closer look at the younger Chicago Blues generation: Demetria Taylor and Jamiah Rogers. Background vocalists will be Mae Koen (Aretha Franklin's background singer) and Diane Madison ('s background singer). The horn section includes Victor Garcia, celebrated Latin jazz horn player and Anthony Bruno, highly sought after young saxophonist.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. The Sons of Blues (S.O.B.s) will open with Chicago Blues Classics. Then the Cavalcade of Blues Stars will commence! Gas Company. After a hiatus to raise his family, Burns returned to playing full-time in the mid-nineties with a regular gig at Smokedaddy’s in Chicago. It wasn’t long before of Billy Branch and the S.O.B.s (www.billybranch.com) signed him to record a CD. Leaving Here Walkingnwas a hit right out of the gate, winning Best Blues Jamiah Rogers (www.brotherhoodoftheguitar.com/?team=jamiah-rogers) Record of the Year, from the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD), the Demetria Taylor (www.demetriataylor.com) French Academie Du Jazz’s Big Bill Broonzy Award, and two W.C. Handy Award nominations. National Tail Dragger (www.taildraggerbluesband.com/) and international tours followed, as Burns played to enthusiastic audiences in clubs and festivals across Jimmy Burns (www.jimmyburnsband,com) the country, and in Europe, Canada, and Japan. Zora Young (www.allmusic.com/artist/zora-young-mn0000228234/biography) Eddie Shaw (www.http://eddieshawsax.com) EDDIE SHAW Having performed with some of the greatest blues musicians that have ever lived, he Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater (www.eddyclearwater.com) is part of a generation of musicians that have helped to shape the “Chicago sound.” Like many before him, his migration from Greenville, MS to Chicago serves as a testament to his musical roots. Widely BILLY BRANCH Billy Branch was discovered by , the "father of modern Chicago Blues," known for his time performing with Howlin' Wolf in the ‘70’s, his hard honking blues busting saxophone and began touring with the Willie Dixon Chicago All-Stars. Since those early days, Billy has played on work netted the coveted 2013 Blues Music Award for best instrumentalist/Horn for an amazing 4th over 200 different recordings, including 12 under his own name and recorded with Willie Dixon, Johnny time and won the 2013 Living Blues Award. Shaw's many contributions to the blues include arranging Winter, , , , , , just to name a tracks for The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions , playing on the Black Magic with few. He has received three Grammy nominations (losing one nomination to BB King and ), and doing arrangements for the Grammy nominated “Unk & Funk” by . In 2012, Eddie founded the Grammy Blues Committee, won multiple W.C. Handy Awards from the Blues Foundation, released Eddie Shaw and The 757 Allstars “Still Riding High”, an album that recapped his illustrious an Emmy Award, an Addy Award (this is like an Oscar for TV ads), two Chicago Music Awards, and career and was nominated for “Best Traditional Blues Album” at the 2013 Blues Blast Awards and for numerous humanitarian achievement awards. Bill Branch has become the ambassador of the Chicago best instrumentalist/horn at the 2014 Blues Music Awards. Blues. His internationally recognized “Blues in Schools Program,” is committed to teaching both young and old about the Blues as the roots of America's music. ZORA YOUNG Despite the prominent presence of celebrated blues artist Howlin' Wolf in her family tree, singer Zora Young grew up singing not blues, but gospel. Even when the native EDDY “The Chief” CLEARWATER With his fierce guitar playing, soulful and emotive vocals and wild shook off her roots at the age of seven to relocate with her family to Chicago, she attended the Greater stage shows, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, is one of Chicago’s greatest bluesmen. DownBeat said, Harvest Baptist Church and continued to sing gospel. It wasn't until later that she switched over to R&B, "Left-hander Eddy Clearwater is a forceful six-stringer...He lays down some gritty West Side shuffles and and evolved into a powerhouse blues vocalist with three decades of experience behind her. Zora has belly-grinding slow blues that highlight his raw chops, soulful vocals, and earthy, humorous lyrics.” The performed with a long list of artists, including , , Bobby Rush, , Chief’s self-defined "rock-a-blues" style (a forceful mix of blues, rock, rockabilly, country and gospel), Professor Eddie Lusk, , and B.B. King. Her recording credits include collaborations with has earned him the Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year in 2001. His Willie Dixon, , , Paul de Lay, Maurice John Vaughn, and 2003 Rock 'N' Roll City release was nominated for a Grammy Award. Now he's back with his very first among others. Her include 1991's Travelin' Light from Deluge Records and three releases from Alligator CD, the aptly titled WEST SIDE STRUT, produced by young hotshot guitarist Ronnie Baker Delmark Records, Learned My Lesson in 2000 and Tore Up from the Floor Up in 2005, and The French Brooks (son of the legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks). Originally from Macon, Mississippi, Eddy and Connection in 2009. his family moved to Chicago in 1950. JAMES YANCY JONES, known as THE TAIL DRAGGER, is a long-time disciple of Howlin' Wolf; in fact, DEMETRIA TAYLOR Born in Chicago in 1973, Demetria is the daughter of the late blues legend the Wolf gave James the moniker "Tail Dragger" emanating from one of the Wolf's now-classic songs. . Not only was her father a Blues Artist, but her mother, Vera Taylor was also a Blues The Tail Dragger followed Wolf from club- to-club, watching and getting pointers from the larger-then- Vocalist. Growing up in a Blues Home, she could be found listening to some of her biggest influences: life Howlin' Wolf for more than 20 years. Tail Dragger remains intensely loyal to his early influences. Etta James, , Big Mama Thornton, and, most importantly, “The Queen of the Blues” Koko The Tail Dragger, by his own admission, sings only lowdown blues. "Lowdown blues is all I like...All I Taylor. Demetria's vocals have a wide range that can tear the roof of the house and bring angels down feel...and I sing what I feel," flatly states The Dragger. "It's like I get into a trance when I sing the blues, to earth. You can trace her roots to the gospel choir at Trinity All Nations Church on Chicago's South I forget about everything else. Nothing else matters." Side. Demetria was nominated in 2012 Blues Music Awards for "Best New Debut Artist, won the Blues Female Vocalist of the Year 2012 Award given by The Bay Area Blues Society West Coast Hall of Fame JAMIAH ROGERS Jamiah grew up in a household of musicians. Jamiah’s father and guitarists, Tony and was awarded the Brazil Blues Award at the Brazil Jazz and Blues Festival in 2015. You can find Rogers, had a band that rehearsed every now and then in the basement of the home. At age 7 Jamiah Demetria performing every Wednesday at Blue Chicago. recorded his first CD “In the Pocket” which opened doors for him. Nominated for “The most talented kid under the age of 12” for The Chicago Music Awards, and winning for 3 consecutive years, Jamiah JIMMY BURNS Singer, guitarist, and , Jimmy Burns is a contemporary bluesman who became one of the top drummers in his age group. One of the biggest doors opened up for Jamiah. combines his Delta roots with R&B and soul to come up with a sound uniquely his own. Born near Dublin, He attended The Experience Hendrix Concert Tour in Chicago at the Chicago Theater. Jamiah walked Mississippi in 1943, Burns was 12 when his family moved to Chicago. Within a year he was singing in the backstage door and knew he was where he was supposed to be. Tony took Jamiah to the green with a gospel group called the Gay Lites. Secular music also beckoned. As R&B turned to soul in the room so he could play but little did he know Billy Cox was listening. Jamiah closed The Experienced 60s. Burns cut a few soul singles for the USA, Minit, Tip Top and Erica labels. One of his Erica singles, Hendrix Tour with Billy Cox and played “Red House”. At age 16 Jamiah fronts his three piece power I Really Love You, is a collector’s item in Great Britain. Burns traveled throughout the Midwest, with a trio, Jamiah On Fire & the Red Machine and has recorded his second CD titled “Taking the Stage”. It band called the Fantastic Epics. He formed his own band in the late 60s called Jimmy Burns and the features ten original songs written and produced by Jamiah and Tony Rogers.