Arts Alive Concerts

America’s greatest humorist comes roaring back to life in a hilarious, profound, and touching new musical show. Warren Brown is Mark Twain: newspaperman, raconteur, riverboat pilot, inventor, world traveler, social commentator, and preeminent novelist. Brown has spent over 30 years researching the life and work of Mark Twain and portraying him in spoken-word performances across the country. Folk musician and songwriter Mark Dvorak provides the soundtrack for Brown’s performance with old-time banjo tunes, period songs, and audience participation. Please join us for this unique Arts Alive Concert, combining a first-person portrayal and live music.

Please note the extended time for the performance.

When lilting Irish, blazing bluegrass, and Dixieland jazz collide, you get the Shamrock Ragsters. Enjoy the instrumental expertise of Doug Jones (bass), Gus Friedlander (mandolin), Steve Martin (banjo and concertina), and Al Tauber (guitar), along with Andi Tauber’s lovely voice, as they play and sing traditional Irish and American folk music.

Join us for an afternoon of piano duets filled with beauty and spirit, creating a heartwarming journey through music. Jimin Yun and Yoahn Kwon will perform classical signature themes—Fauré’s playful charm, Mozart’s graceful melodies, Schubert’s passionate emotion, and Beethoven’s powerful triumph—brought to life through this uplifting program. Jimin Yun received her bachelor’s degree at Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea. She came to the U.S. and earned her master’s degree and professional studies certificate at the Manhattan School of Music. She is an experienced soloist; instrumental, vocal, and choir accompanist; and chamber musician. Yoahn Kwon began piano studies at the age of nine, attended the Pre-College Division of the Juilliard School, and earned his bachelor’s and master's degrees from the Mannes College of Music. He performs critically-acclaimed concerts in North America, Europe, and Korea, and is a sought-after teacher for piano students.

Join us for an engaging exploration of Elvis Presley’s enduring influence on music and culture. Hugo Colin, the amazing Elvis tribute artist, will authentically perform Elvis’s music: from his early years as a young singer taking the country by storm, to his evolution into the older Vegas entertainer. We’ll dive into the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s groundbreaking career, his transformations, the stories behind his timeless songs, and the lasting cultural impact of his artistry in music and fashion. Hugo is a celebrated Elvis tribute artist who has performed in Las Vegas and Canada, and annually returns to Graceland’s “Elvis Week” every August. He has performed hundreds of shows around Chicago and Northeastern Illinois for over ten years. 

This show runs 90 minutes with a brief intermission for a costume change.