Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake presents Arts on the Green, a new outdoor series of music and entertainment hosted at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 210 McHenry Ave., in Crystal Lake. Events run July 24-Sept. 11.
“Experience music and theater on summer evenings in a natural, yet elegant setting at St. Mary’s,” says Richard Kuranda, executive director of Raue Center. “Proper attire is encouraged, appropriate for the parish grounds. Swimsuits and baseball caps are not allowed, and men are to wear collared shirts.”
Space is limited, so order tickets early at the Raue Center box office.
Lynne Jordan kicks things off Saturday, July 24. Her soaring vocals dip effortlessly into blues, jazz, funk and rock. Her talent so dazzled the Second City that the late film critic Roger Ebert declared her his “favorite diva.”
Bluesman Derrick Procell hits the green July 31. He’s an award-winning songwriter, vocalist and musician whose songs have been recorded by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Logan Daniels and Melissa Manchester. His work is even featured on TV shows and films such as “My Name is Earl,” “TrueBlood,” “The Office,” and the Oscar-nominated film “Lady Bird.”
On Aug. 7, Corky Siegel performs with Ernie Watts. A composer of award-winning works that weave blues and classical forms together, Siegel has worked alongside legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Little Walter and Otis Spann. He’s joined by two-time Grammy-winner, jazz legend and tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts.
The Petty Kings, a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, rock the green on Aug. 21. This group faithfully re-creates the experience of these rock legends with songs including “American Girl,” “Yer So Bad,” “Free Fallin’,” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”
“Late Summer Night’s Shakespeare” features a cast of Raue Center performers as they drop some knowledge, perform selected scenes and monologues, and share some fun with an evening of Shakespeare on Sept. 4 and Sept. 11. ❚
Ticket prices start at $14 for RaueNow members and $20 for the general public. Order tickets and learn more at RaueCenter.org or by calling the box office at (815) 356-9212.