Toronzo Cannon & The Chicago Way with Jack Whittle Trio

Friday, Sep. 20 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

With his richly detailed, truth-telling original songs, blistering, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals, Toronzo Cannon is on the cutting edge of today’s contemporary blues scene and is known as one of the genre’s most creative artists.

This concert serves as our next recording partnership activity with 88.1 WVPE Public Radio which will air in a future "The Sauce Live from The Acorn" broadcast on WVPE! We'll be capturing LIVE footage at the show - come get in on the action!

About the Artists:

Toronzo Cannon

“I want my songs to be heard and experienced, not just listened to,” says cliché-defying, internationally beloved Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon. With his richly detailed, truth-telling original songs, blistering, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals, Cannon is on the cutting edge of today’s contemporary blues scene and is known as one of the genre’s most creative artists. His sound is inspired by his heroes, including Hound Dog Taylor, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Albert King, Son Seals and Jimi Hendrix. On his third Alligator Records album, Shut Up And Play!, Cannon blazes his own path with 11 emotionally-charged originals. From serious to humorous, his imaginative songs are fueled by his powerful, cathartic guitar solos and his soulfully authoritative voice.

Shut Up And Play!, co-produced by Cannon and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, finds Cannon, a former Chicago Transit Authority bus driver, delivering timeless stories of common experiences, often unfolding in uncommon ways. His passionate and focused guitar playing sets his lyrics ablaze. From the first radio single, the unassailable I Hate Love, to the gospel-inspired, autobiographical Had To Go Through It To Get To It, to the slow-burning, reflective Guilty, to the deeply personal Message To My Daughter, Shut Up And Play! tackles the gamut of human emotions. Song subjects range from the heartbreak of lost love, to the humor of daily life, to the pain of feeling invisible in today’s society, all as seen through Cannon’s wide-open eyes.

Jack Whittle

Jack Whittle is a blues and roots singer, guitarist, and songwriter with a staggering depth of talent. The Chicagoland-based performer has been busy playing all over the Midwest and beyond, including a tour of the South in support of Chicago Blues mainstay Liz Mandeville. On a local level, Jack is a pillar of the thriving Northwest Indiana music scene and a highlight of jam nights and bar stages all over the area. Underneath it all is a foundation of knowledge based upon Jack’s consummate study and love of American roots music old and new from dirty, relentless blues shuffles to infectious country dance tunes and the underlying grooves and shared vocabulary that drive them. This is exemplified in the playful versatility of his songwriting, which was put on full display when Jack released his highly-anticipated, self-titled debut album in June 2022 to tremendous acclaim including a spot on Tom Lounges’ Top 10 Regional Albums of 2022. Featuring 8 original songs, many of which were co-written alongside frequent collaborator James Gedda, as well as Whittle’s rendition of the timeless Gospel song “Glory Glory.”

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

The Erly

Friday, Oct. 11 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Michigan indie-soul collective The Erly take collaboration, friendship and good vibes to the absolute max with a riveting fusion of ‘60s and ‘70s rock, pop, funk and modern indie.

About the Artists:

The Erly is a four-piece band from Niles, Michigan, featuring Fran Gleason (drums, vocals), Trevor McDonald (guitar, vocals), Collin Mattiford (bass, vocals), and Simon Kauffman Hurst (keys). While the band’s core sound hits as an unmistakable blend of jam, soul, and groove, these four musicians have never shied away - albeit via live performance or recorded tracks - from experimenting down a path of finding new avenues to create a unique original identity.

With this flexible dynamic, their upcoming record 'Salem Lights' will highlight what may be the band’s finest work to date. Multiple singles, a music video, mastering from longtime producer Paul Bennett - this 11-track album has intuitive, enigmatic themes alongside rhythmic, precise, clean musical precision. Salem Nights will be available via all streaming platforms on September 4, 2024.

Having played basements to dive bars to festivals to established local venues; in front of every crowd - from release shows with hundreds to humble beginnings with an intimate handful, whether it’s been in Michiana or the dozen-plus other states across the country The Erly has made its mark…Fran, Trevor, Collin, and Simon are primed to continue an upward stride into 2025.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

BoDeans

Thursday, Oct. 10 | 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT)

BoDeans return to The Acorn! Long known as one of the best live acts in the business, BoDeans continue to tour year round and continue to deliver amazing, high energy, performances.

About the Artists

With countless tunes you know from the first note, rip-roaring gigs you can count on, and a whole lot of energy you’ll take home with you, BoDeans continue to contribute to the American songbook as a tried-and true institution. Founded and led by original frontman, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Kurt Neumann, the band’s catalog consists of generational anthems such as “Good Things,” You Don’t Get Much,” “Idaho,” and “Closer To Free,” just to name a few. However, they still reflect the soul and spirit of the modern American experience on their fourteenth full-length offering, 4 The Last Time.

“The music of BoDeans has defined much of my life,” muses Kurt. “I consider myself fortunate to be able to do what I enjoy. I wanted to creatively do something positive for the world instead of just taking from it. So, this is what I’ve chosen to do with my life. The music was always about the blue-collar dream of a better life, and it still is.”

BoDeans emerged out of Waukesha, WI in 1986 with the seminal debut, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, produced by T Bone Burnett. Following Outside Looking In [1987], Home [1989], and Black and White [1991], Go Slow Down [1993] yielded “Closer To Free,” which famously served as the theme song for the smash hit television series Party of Five. With a sought-after discography, their music landed hundreds of television and film placements. Meanwhile, they transformed into a proven live phenomenon by supporting the likes of U2, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Pretenders, and David Bowie in addition to gracing the bills of Farm Aid, Summerfest, and ACL. Speaking to the group’s legacy, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame permanently entrenched BoDeans in the Midwest Artists exhibit. Most recently, 2017’s Thirteen arrived to widespread acclaim from The Chicago Tribune and Glide Magazine who spotlighted the music’s “understated grace—an attribute that no doubt fuels the steadfast approach Kurt Neumann has employed of his thirty-plus years as a ‘BoDean’.”

Along the way, NETFLIX’s The Ranch also utilized over 70 tunes from Kurt, and he launched his own podcast Staring At The World. In the midst of the Global Pandemic, he wrote and recorded what would become 4 The Last Time in his Austin, TX studio. “We have a classic guitar-driven midwestern rock pop sound,” he goes on. “I wanted to make sure there was still some music out there with guitars on it. I feel like I’m getting better at this in my fifties. So, there are a lot of those big rock songs we’ve done for years. I got that vibe down on this record.” Fittingly, BoDeans kick this chapter off with the high-energy anthem “Ya Gotta Go Crazy.” It charges forward with roots-y countrified swagger punctuated by an unshakable chant and hummable guitar solo. “When Spring came in Wisconsin, everyone rolled their windows down and turned the radio up,” he recalls. “The music sounded so good. This is meant to be one of those songs that makes you crank the volume and have some fun. In light of difficult times when you’re dealing with depression or challenges, sometimes you’ve got to go out and do some shit that seems a little crazy.” Then, there’s “A Little More Time.” The stomping groove gives way to another anthemic refrain as he pleads, “Come on baby won’t you give me just a little more time.” “On the day Tom Petty died, I was really sad,” he admits. “I’ve always been astounded by how good he was— from the time I discovered him at 15 until now. This is my little nod to Tom and The Heartbreakers for what they gave me.” On “I’m A Mess,” he examines the two lives of a career musician. “I’ve done this for 35 years,” he says. “As you get older, you start a family. When you’re on the traveling circus, you feel really disconnected from your life at home. You’re a mess without the other half of your life.” “Anyone But You” unfolds as a poignant love song over dreamy piano. Meanwhile, the title track “4 The Last Time” captures the breaking point of a relationship through an emotionally charged vocal originally popularized through an early incarnation of the tune on The Ranch. “It’s about the despair you go through when a relationship is dying and you can’t save it,” he continues. “It’s a tough and painful place to be. When ‘4 The Last Time’ was on The Ranch, I got so many messages asking for a full version. I thought the title might get everyone talking since we’ve been around for so long. Is this the last time? It’s a topic of conversation when you mention the history of the band.” The opener “Loved” importantly doubles as a mission statement. With its robust guitars and wild solo, it culminates on a promise to his kids, “You’re gonna know you were loved.” “It wasn’t until later I found out my mom sent me to the ER when I was two-years-old for getting fingerprints on the dining room table,” he sighs. “I was just surviving as a kid. I have children, and I want them to know how much I love them and how much they mean to me. I didn’t get that from my parents. It’s a message to my kids that I’m going to make sure they know how important they are.” In the end, BoDeans make an impact through such honesty. “For the next year, I’m going to be showing up in towns everywhere and trying to bring people together a little more,” he leaves off. “Come to a BoDeans gig, sing along, and forget about everything else. That’s why I play nowadays. I’d like to keep pushing that message as long as I can.”

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $30 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $30 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Corky Siegel

Saturday, Oct. 19 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Internationally-recognized blues harmonica, piano legend Corky Siegel returns to The Acorn!

This concert serves as our next recording partnership activity with 88.1 WVPE Public Radio which will air in a future "The Sauce Live from The Acorn" broadcast on WVPE! We'll be capturing LIVE footage at the show - come get in on the action!

"A force to be reckoned with. A magnificent musical hurricane creating musical masterpieces, tearing down the expected." - Raymon Muller - North Jersey Blues Society

Special Pre-Show Event Details:

In 2007, Corky was commissioned to put together Symphonic Blues no. 6, a concept to bring together blues artists to play symphonic music. With musicians from Pennsylvania, New York, Chicago, and some states between, artists recorded all parts separately, so this album coming together was the first time the group has been heard together.

Recently re-recorded, Symphonic Blues Nº6 is being released in October. Join us before Corky’s concert for a pre-show presentation of Symphonic Blues Nº6 at The Acorn. The pre-show event is free and open to the community; tickets are required for the 8pm concert to follow. Corky considers Symphonic Blues Nº6 to be the most important work in his 60 years of performance. He will play some recorded excerpts from the work, will be open for questions, and will tell some wild stories about the history, the composition, and the recording process.

• Doors for the Symphonic Blues Nº6 pre-show event with Corky Siegel open at 6pm ET. The presentation will conclude at 7pm ET.
• Cocktail hour will commence at 7pm ET, coinciding with doors opening to the public for the Corky Siegel concert.
• Stay for the ticketed Corky Siegel concert at 8pm ET!

About the Artist:

Corky Siegel is known internationally as one of the world's great blues harmonica players, a blues pianist, singer-songwriter, creator of CHAMBER BLUES and the sole pioneer/composer of award-winning revolutionary works that weave blues and classical forms together. Co-founder of the SIEGEL-SCHWALL BAND, and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Corky Siegel has a catalogue of recordings on RCA, Vanguard, Alligator, and million selling blues/classical recordings on the iconic classical label Deutsche Grammophon. His close associations with the blues masters in the earlier days of Chicago blues, his essential part in the blues rock revolution, and his surprising success in bringing together blues and classical audiences make him a pivotal (though inconspicuous) figure in modern music history.

“underappreciated national treasure” - Downbeat Magazine

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Open Mic Night featuring Sadie Gustafson-Zook

Sunday, Sep. 22 | 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT)

Where else in Harbor Country can you go for an evening filled with amazing talent? Come experience Harbor Country’s most exciting array of acts, packed into one night on the fabulous Acorn stage with a state of the art, professional sound system.

No Admission Fee, Donations Encouraged

Performer Inquiries: Email openmic@acornlive.org

This activity is supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and sponsored by The Frederick S. Upton Foundation.

About the Artist

We welcome back the winner of our 2024 Acorn Singer-Songwriter Competition, Sadie Gustafson-Zook!

Every time Sadie Gustafson-Zook carves a linoleum block, sews a pencil case out of scraps, or admires the way the ink in her Pilot G-2 glides over her journal, she thinks, “I should be doing this all the time.” The act of creating something tangible is the air Sadie breathes. Her songwriting is the same- weaving an internal dialogue, the stories she tells herself, warm melodies and clever chords into something real, something she can physically feel with her hands and her throat. And chances are that you’ll be able to feel them too.

Based in Goshen, Indiana, Sadie’s songs have been endorsed by some of the most respected songwriting contests from across the country, winning Kerrville Folk Festival’s 2022 New Folk Contest (as well as placing as a finalist in 2020), earning second place at the Rocky Mountain Folk Fest’s Songwriter Showcase, and winning first place at the NewSong + LEAF Songwriting Contest. Sadie has been featured on the Basic Folk podcast and on Folk Alley.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

2024 Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights

Saturday, Nov. 02 | 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT)

Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights returns to The Acorn! This 10-minute play writing competition is open to writers to bring top-tier original works to our stage.

Welcome our finalists to the Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our reading committee has spoken, and the works of these 6 finalists will be brought to The Acorn’s stage on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024.

With the help of Twin City Players in St. Joseph, the Beckwith Theatre in Dowagiac, and the Tin Shop in Buchanan, we will be bringing the finalist’s work to life on The Acorn stage, bringing in stage talent from our corner of Southwest Michigan, and concluding with an audience vote to determine which one of these playwrights will win our 2024 competition!

Meet the Finalists:

Paul Bowman – Two Guitars
New Albany, IN

Paul wrote his first produced play, Why We Went To War, as an answer to a question his son asked: why do nations go to war? That started a journey that has resulted in one act plays staged in thirteen states, Canada, and Australia. Twenty three of his short stories and four short plays have been published in literary magazines. He has also written screenplays and novels.

Julius Farrell – Heaven’s Receptionist
Chicago, IL

Julius was born in Mississippi and raised on Chicago's North Side. His first job was delivering newspapers throughout downtown Chicago as a child. His steady income helped support his frequent visits to movie houses which helped spark his imagination and love for writing. Julius attended college in Mississippi, where he played football before returning to Chicago. For more than 30 years, Julius worked in protective services security for the Chicago Cubs. He recently returned to Columbia College to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in creative writing. Julius thanks his friends, Pam and Kirk, for inspiring him to submit his work for this competition.

Romney Humphrey – The Bench
Seattle, WA

Romney Humphrey is a former media writer/producer and nationally produced playwright with recent play productions in California, Connecticut, and Oregon. She has received numerous national and international awards for her television and screenplay writing including Best first Time Screenwriter Feature for “20” at the World Film Festival in Cannes and Finalist at the LA Film Festival, 2022 for "Liu".

Mary Donnet Johnson – Are You Really Seeing Me Right Now?
Knoxville, TN

With a spirit of gratitude, determination, and joy, Mary writes plays that challenge beliefs, shed light in the dark places, resonate deeply, and offer fresh perspectives, comfort, inspiration, and plenty of humor. Her work has been widely produced, published in several collections, recognized by national competitions, and commissioned by arts organizations who are dedicated to promoting positive change in their communities through theater-based endeavors.

Rebecca Kane – Dream Meaning
Astoria, NY

Rebecca Kane’s writing has appeared in numerous theatres, festivals, and readings in New York City and beyond, with credits including Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival, Last Frontier Theatre Conference, William Inge New Play Festival, the National Women’s Theatre Festival, and many more. Publications include repeated features in Smith & Kraus’s “Best of 2023” and “Best of 2024” collections and internationally published literary magazines.

Jeff Kaufman – Senseless
Studio City, CA

A play Kaufman wrote, FIRST AID, was a winner of the 2024 Long Beach Playhouse New Works Festival. Now he is submitting a 10-minute play, SENSELESS.

Kaufman directed, produced, & wrote the Emmy-nominated American Masters documentary about playwright and LGBTQ activist Terrence McNally, EVERY ACT OF LIFE (with Meryl Streep, Angela Lansbury, Nathan Lane, Chita Rivera, Billy Porter, and others). He also directed / produced a Critics Choice-nominated documentary about Iranian human rights activist and political prisoner Nasrin Sotoudeh (narrated by Olivia Colman), NASRIN. In 2023, Kaufman organized a global women’s rights campaign with Amnesty International, PEN America, RFK Human Rights, MS. Magazine, The Feminist Majority Foundation, and others.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Los Lobos

Thursday, Nov. 21 | 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT)

Grammy Award winning Los Lobos celebrates 50 Years and returns to The Acorn!

About the Artists:

It's a matter of time. 50 years to be exact. And in that time Los Lobos have created an unprecedented body of work, a legacy of greatness. The numbers are staggering: 100+ gigs a year for five decades running, crossing millions of miles to rock millions of fans. And that's just at the live shows. In between they've recorded 17 studio albums, 7 live LPs, 3 compilations, 2 EPs, 2 DVDs, and contributed 40+ guest appearances on their friends' recordings — all garnering 5 Grammys, an Austin City Limits Hall of Fame induction, the ALMA Richie Valens Pioneer Award, NEA and Hispanic Heritage Foundation Honors, Congressional recognitions, plus countless "Keys to the City" and "Los Lobos Day" celebrations. And those are just a few of the highlights. But beyond all the hoopla and applause (and the source of it all, really) is the tremendous heart. Rather, hearts. Cinco corazones. Five blood brothers who have dedicated their off-stage time to helping others, working for peace and justice, penning some of the most literate and important music of their time, transforming the hard cries from the East L.A. barrio into songs of hope, tales of common folk finding ways to endure. The young wolves were weaned on late-night radio's soul, R&B, and doo-wop. Were cured through the African-American currents of the blues, jazz, and rock 'n' roll. An amalgam. As proud Chicanos, their songs have always glistened with the distillation from their Mexican and Latin American roots — nourished by Norteña and rancheras, buoyed by bolero and cumbias, soaring on the rhythms of son huasteco and son jarocho. Los Lobos have helped spread the rich diversity of cultures across every continent, throughout the global community. Kids in Antwerp now know about Aztlán. Residents of Luxor and Ghana are crooning Lalo Guerrero. People from Laos and Bulgaria are belting "La Bamba" — all thanks to The Wolves as cultural ambassadors. Talk about a living legacy. Talk about a productive half century. And in the true rebel spirit, they did it all on their own terms, against formula. For the ages. To our delight. Quite simply, they are one of the tightest, one of the best, one of the most prolific bands ever. And, amazingly, with the original founding members as the pack the entire time. Unprecedented. As their liner notes put it, quite simply: "Los Lobos still are David Hidalgo, Louie Pérez, Jr., Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano, Steve Berlin."

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $50 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $50 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

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The Acorn Dramatic Arts Camp presents Alice in Wonderland

Thursday, Aug. 01 | 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT)

Join us for the final performance of The Acorn Dramatic Arts Camp! Tickets are FREE!

Step into the world of Wonderland as our youth performers bring Alice in Wonderland to life as the culmination of our four-week camp. After Alice tumbles down a mysterious rabbit hole, she finds herself in a strange land where everyone is raving mad. With the help of a Cheshire Cat, an astute Caterpillar, and a righteous Humpty Dumpty, Alice must find her way home and discover who she really is.

Campers range from 8-16, coming in with any theater experience level where they are introduced to acting technique, dance, singing, backstage tech, and set building. Each camper goes through an internal audition process, where we take the remaining camp time to memorize and perfect the script, while prioritizing the discovery, refinement, and execution of those skills.

The Acorn is proud to return for another year of The Acorn Dramatic Arts Camp right here in the Harbor Country community. We are building this program with a mind to introduce and grow a love of musical theater to children and teens in the community who have no experience, and flourish musical theater as a passion for children and teens in the community who have already begun their exploration of musical theater. We believe that there is something for everybody to love about theater - whether that’s the stage, set building, stage managing, backstage tech, or any other little detail that goes into a production.

The Girls of Summer: A Benefit for Harbor Arts

Friday, Aug. 02 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Harbor Arts is proud to present “Girls of Summer,” a 2020 film by John Hancock. The film explores a young drummer, seemingly stuck taking care of her father and the family sod farm, who is convinced her dreams of becoming a professional musician are unrealistic until her father convinces her she needs to go on the road and chase her dreams.

Join us for cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres by Classic Catering, get comfortable for the film screening, and stay for the Q&A after the film with the creators and actors for a discussion of the film!

Reception at 7pm ET
Film at 8pm ET
Q & A after the film

Harbor Arts exists as a non-profit organization committed to organizing and disseminating information on social, cultural and political issues of interest to the community. Harbor Arts works, in conjunction with performers, artists, writers and musicians, sharing a vision of enriching lives through various media and expression. Harbor Arts celebrates the creative spirit!

Nestled in Harbor Country, our tranquil surroundings offer a myriad of attractions, from charming restaurants and shops to water sports, art galleries, and pristine sugar-sand beaches. At Harbor Arts, we take pride in supporting our local community by bringing engaging events like Music in the Park, live shows at the Acorn Theater, and captivating films at the Vickers to your doorstep.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Acorn Swing for the Arts

Thursday, Sep. 05 | 12:00pm ET (11:00am CT)

Join us for our inaugural Acorn Swing for the Arts – a golf outing to raise money for The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts community programs.

Briar Leaf Golf Club
3233 IN-39
La Porte, IN 46350

11:00 am ET / 10:00 am CT – Registration
12:00 noon ET / 11:00 am CT – Shotgun start

Four person scramble – 18 holes

Registration includes bag drop, cart, swag bag, 2 drink tickets, lunch, post-outing cash bar with appetizers, putting green, driving range, contests and raffle drawing.

Raffle - Our Acorn Loft reserved overnight for 4 (based on availability) and balcony tickets for a show that evening. One free round of drinks with a dedicated server included.

Raffle tickets - $25 each or 5 for $100

$150 per golfer. Price includes a $91.50 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn. To register, click "Get Tickets" at the bottom of this page.

Sponsorships available! For information on sponsorship opportunities for this event, please email Laura Jolly (laura@acornlive.org).

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