Chris Carter is recognized as one of the world's most skilled mind readers, as well as an accomplished hypnotist. Carter's program is packed with audience participation, contemporary comedy, and puzzling psychic mysteries. During his performance he may guess someone's Social Security number, license number, even numbers on a dollar bill in that person's pocket; he may tell an audience member exactly how much change is in that person's pocket; and he may duplicate someone's signature exactly--even though he is blindfolded.

Formerly on Blue Note Records and now on Owl records, this amazing guitar player is bending the lines between jazz, world beat, and jam music. Well known from years of touring as the band leader for Garaj Mahal, his audience base is drawn from jam friendly college students to serious button down jazz cats, to fans of East Indian and ethnic music. The list of musicians with whom he has played is amazing and includes Sting, Zakir Hussain, George Brooks, Paquito Rivera, Frank Bungarten, Goran Ivanovic, Joe Zawinul, Dave Holland, Joe Henderson, Frank Vignola and many others.

Mr Haque is professor of music at Northern Illinois University and has been commissioned to compose and perform classical music including the Lahara concerto commissioned by the Chicago Symphonietta and a guitar concerto from the Eye of a Hurricane commissioned by Fulcrum Point Ensemble.

As one of cabaret's most in-demand duos, Beckie Menzie & Tom Michael offer a unique blend of whimsy, nostalgia, and unquestionable talent that translates into pure entertainment. Hailed by Cabaret Scenes Magazine as one of the "Top Ten Cabaret Acts," Menzie & Michael have appeared on some of the country's most prestigious stages, including New York City's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Menzie delights audiences with her rich voice and expert piano stylings that sizzle on everything from swing to smoky torch songs.

Mike Toomey takes you on a journey back into 60’s and 70’s TV Land. In the show, he does many of his fabulous imitations and relates how his childhood television watching has shaped his adult life. This multimedia presentation features over 200 slide and sound bytes not to mention Toomey’s dead-on impressions of your favorite TV celebrities. Mike is a nationally touring headline comedian who has been seen on MTV, Comedy Central and HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Mike Toomey takes you on a journey back into 60’s and 70’s TV Land. In the show, he does many of his fabulous imitations and relates how his childhood television watching has shaped his adult life. This multimedia presentation features over 200 slide and sound bytes not to mention Toomey’s dead-on impressions of your favorite TV celebrities. Mike is a nationally touring headline comedian who has been seen on MTV, Comedy Central and HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Peter's cherished and privileged relationships within the Sinatra inner-circle (including family, friends, songwriters, orchestrators, and other associates), and his position as one of the nation's premiere interpreters of traditional American pop and jazz make him uniquely qualified to present the songs and stories of Ol' Blue Eyes in "Forever Frank": A dazzling, unforgettable homage that is not to be missed!

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

"The Oldest of the Bright Young Comedians!!!" - The Last Comic Standing Television Show, NBC TV.

"An Old Comedy Star is Discovered!!!" - The Tonight Show / Jay Leno, NBC TV.

For the past 37 years this ol' hippie traveled the country playing comedy clubs, casinos, saloons and other venues of doubtful repute. A crowd pleaser at corporate conventions, company affairs, country clubs and cruises, Wiggins is a consummate comedian. As seen on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Last Comic Standing, Jim Wiggins performs a one-man show you don’t want to miss!

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Of all the entertainers performing today, Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen are the ones standing out above the rest. This Chicago-based “Dynamic Duo” has been captivating audiences for over ten years. Amy’s beautiful voice, edgy humor and quick wit, combined with Freddy’s impeccable musical arrangements and sly repartee, create an evening of enjoyable and unforgettable entertainment.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Join us for one of the most amazing shows you'll ever see! Jeff Bibik's comedy Hypnotism show is an incredible peek into the power of the subconscious mind, where everything is real and anything is possible. Hypnosis is a perfectly natural state akin to meditation, wherein the conscious mind is quieted, and the body is completely relaxed. In this refreshing state, Bibik leads his subjects to some hilarious places, which might include a jungle, a race track, or the delivery room! It's all in good taste and Bibik's subjects come out of hypnosis with a feeling of relaxation unlike they've experienced before. Weather you want to 'be' the show or just 'see' the show, you'll love Jeff Bibik's Comedy Hypnosis!

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

A featured performer on Marian McPartland’s NPR show Piano Jazz, singer / pianist /composer Elizabeth Doyle presents “Dakota Blonde: The Lyrics of Peggy Lee” with bass player Jim Cox, and mandolinist / guitarist / vocalist Don Stiernberg.

Doyle, a 2007 After Dark award recipient presents her own take on the Peggy Lee songbook ranging from Peggy’s lyrics in the Disney classic Lady and the Tramp, the Oscar-winning movie Good Night and Good Luck to recordings by Madonna, Michael Feinstein and many other contemporary singers. You’ll be saying “She wrote that?” and “What great songs!

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

"Shining Like New Money" is a story we all can relate to. A national favorite in the tradition of Bill Cosby.

Mr. Pleasant has taken the comedy world by storm with a truly refreshing act that has entertained audiences at comedy clubs from coast to coast including such renowned clubs as Caroline’s On Broadway in NYC & The Hollywood Improv.

No stranger to success, Mr. Pleasant has been reviewed for the finest comedy festivals in the industry!
His energetic and hilarious stories about life as CARAMEL have even propelled him to large venue performances for the USO and as the opening act for eight-time Grammy Award winning singer Anita Baker!

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

The grand prize winner on ABC TV's America's Funniest People, Tim Walkoe is one of the strongest comedy headliners in the business today. His fast-paced comedic style combined with improvisation and music make Tim's act a sure hit.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Her rootin'-tootin', hog callin', haughty but nice stand-up routine has been seen CMT's "Southern Fried Chicks," NBC's "Last Comic Standing 4," Star Search, HBO, Comedy Central, and Oxygen's "Girls Behaving Badly."

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Lance Brown's Will Rogers Now! is a journey into the roots of the American experience. This highly entertaining portrait of a gentle American hero honors Will Rogers in words, theater and song. After years of study, Lance has at his command a fascinating collection of Will Rogers' newspaper articles, radio monologues and off-the-cuff comments that still ring true today. After years of performing as Rogers, Brown wears the role like a second skin. This performance brings you history, heroes and hilarity, a few rope tricks and a few tears, but mostly the irrepressible spirit of Will Rogers and hope for our troubled times.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Lance Brown's Will Rogers Now! is a journey into the roots of the American experience. This highly entertaining portrait of a gentle American hero honors Will Rogers in words, theater and song. After years of study, Lance has at his command a fascinating collection of Will Rogers' newspaper articles, radio monologues and off-the-cuff comments that still ring true today. After years of performing as Rogers, Brown wears the role like a second skin. This performance brings you history, heroes and hilarity, a few rope tricks and a few tears, but mostly the irrepressible spirit of Will Rogers and hope for our troubled times.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Saxophonist Mark O'Connor—an Austin, Texas native—has been part of the Chicago and Milwaukee music scenes since 1996 as a performer, composer and educator. His latest CD on Blujazz productions, Mirage, spent eight weeks on the national jazz radio charts.

O'Connor has performed with such notables as Rufus Reid, Arturo Sandoval, Henry Butler, Steve Turre and Joe Williams. He has studied with well known jazz educators Dan Haerle and Fred Hamilton at the University of North Texas and at Eastern Illinois University with New Orleans piano luminary Henry Butler and Chicago pianist and producer of Mirage, Mark Maegdlin.

"With his hearty sound and bristling ideas, O'Connor can bowl over even a jaded follower of post-bop jazz." - Neil Tesser, Author, The Playboy Guide to Jazz, and Host of Miles Ahead (1240 AM Chicago)

"A very good saxophonist he is… melodically and rhythmically engaging lines… expressiveness and melodic sensitivity." - Jazz Times Magazine

Denise's show is aptly titled "The Music of Our Lives" and is a blend of classic songs from great American standards, memorable hits from the 50's and 60's, and a selection of great Hollywood and Broadway show tunes.  This latter group is highlighted during the show as she displays some of her wardrobe and props collection from famous celebrities and movies.  New this year is also a special tribute to our Veterans and the military services. Her show is also frequently filled with lighting and special effects not normally seen in shows of this size.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Joe Wiegand provides a humorous and informative presentation as America's 26th President Theodore Roosevelt. Whether recalling the adventures of Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the Cuban-American War or recounting the establishment of America's great national parks and monuments, this Teddy Roosevelt brings turn-of-the-Century American history to life with wit and charm.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Composer and bassist Doug Lofstrom has been composing prolifically since the 1970's. His diverse scores reflect his ongoing involvement in theater, dance, film and symphonic music. In 2001, Lofstrom formed The New Quartet, a versatile chamber ensemble which performs his original music and arrangements of modern classics, jazz and world music.

Bounding Main is a crew of veteran environmental theater performers with the love of music and the sea in their blood. Performing together since 2003, they preserve the Elizabethan Sea Dog look in their costumes and gear. The six friends sing sea shanties and maritime ballads - both traditional and original - from 400 years ago through today. Bounding Main shows are filled with spirit, humor and harmony; their arrangements of traditional nautical music bring the listener into the world of pirates, adventure and romance.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

A world music ensemble with a "Spanish guitar twist," that performs a fusion of Cuban son (a relative to salsa music), Rumba, R&B, Latin-jazz, Blues, and African percussion with an underlying flamenco music and dance focus.

Over the past seven years, Las Guitarras de Espana has consistently performed to sold-out venues in Chicago and the Midwest. The ensemble has also performed at numerous schools, concert series, and performing arts venues. Members of the ensemble have roots from Brazil, Peru, Italy, Cuba, Mexico, and Portugal and they have traveled to, and performed or studied in, over 30 countries. The ensemble has released four CDs to critical acclaim worldwide.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.