The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks is bringing back its Acorn Anywhere series this summer.
The Acorn is proud to announce the return of Acorn Anywhere! shows for Summer 2022. The concert series will kick off in La Porte IN on June 11th, travel to Fernwood Botanical Garden on July 30th and conclude at The Common in Buchanan, MI on August 20th.
All events are held rain or shine and are “BYO.” Attendees must bring their own beverages, snacks and chairs.
Ike Rielly Assassination
Saturday, June 11, 2022
7pm ET | Doors open at 6pm ET
La Lumiere in La Porte, IN
Tickets available at acornlive.org
General Admission $35 advance/$40 Day of Show | Reserved Seating $60 advance/$65 Day of Show The critically acclaimed Ike Reilly Assassination perform their gritty and hard-driving music as part of Acorn Anywhere! on the stunning grounds of La Lumiere School in LaPorte, IN.
About the Artist:
Since his explosive major label debut, Salesmen and Racists, Ike Reilly has been creating rebellious punk/folk/country/blues-influenced rock ’n’ roll records that are poetic and cinematic. Critical praise for his work has been plentiful, and he has garnered a wildly loyal fan base — from faithful fans in the dirty bars and rock clubs in the middle of nowhere to legendary authors.
Reilly’s songs have a unique universality that affects people. Author Stephen King wrote that Reilly’s travel band saga, “Boltcutter,” was “the best new song to come out of the Trump era.” The New York Times called Reilly’s longtime band, The Assassination, one of the best live bands in America, and once again they show their dexterity and growth on Reilly’s new offering, Because the Angels.
This compelling batch of new Reilly songs/tales required both a lighter touch and a ferocity that mirrors the depth of Reilly’s writing and the varied nature of his songs. On “Ashes to Ashes,” the band slams away and yet still holds down the groove to this Ray-Charles-on-speed track. As the band rocks, rolls, and rumbles, Reilly sings of the cursed and the blessed, the loved and the hurt, and he assures us that nobody escapes death.
Of his work, Reilly dismisses it and says, “My songs are either lies or apologies.” Because the Angels may reveal more truth than maybe he would like. “Trick of the Light,” the first single released off of the new album, is a dark-pop-celebration of family dysfunction. Here, we find Reilly ironically sharing lead vocal duties with three of his own children. There is a festive innocence and a wise resignation in the vocal delivery as Reilly and his boys trade lines and ask questions about faith, hope, family, money, and fate.
Ike Reilly Assassination is:
Ike Reilly – Guitar and Vocals
Phil Karnats – Guitar
Dave Cottini – Drums
Pete Cimbalo – Bass
Ed Tinley – Guitar
Adam Krier – Organ
Shane Reilly – Vocals
Kevin Reilly – Vocals
Mickey Reilly – Vocals
The Music of Ella & Billie
Saturday, July 30, 2022
7pm ET | Doors open at 6pm ET
Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles, MI
Tickets available at acornlive.org
General Admission $35 advance/$40 Day of Show | Reserved Seating $60 advance/$65 Day of Show Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Featured is an all-star cast of four terrifically talented women, each with truly impressive singing, songwriting and theatrical backgrounds. Vocalists include Patti Shaffner, Char Jones, Lauren Dukes and Meredith George. They are accompanied by the
phenomenal jazz trio of Leandro López Várady, Buddy Pearson and Lannie Turner. Dubbed “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald was arguably the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra.
She worked with all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Nat King Cole, to Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman (or rather, some might say all the jazz greats had the pleasure of working with Ella). Nicknamed “Lady Day” by her friend and music partner Lester Young, Billie Holiday had an innovative influence on jazz music and pop singing – in fact, she was a superstar of her day. Holiday first rose to prominence in the 1930’s with a unique style that reinvented the conventions of modern singing and performance. The evocative, soulful voice which she boldly put forth as a force for good, turned any song she sang into her own. More than 80 years after making her first recording Billie’s legacy continues to embody what is elegant and cool in contemporary music. Today, Billie Holiday is remembered for her musical masterpieces, her songwriting skills, creativity and courageous views on inequality and justice.
About the Artists:
Patti Shaffner performs a wide variety of musical styles including Folk, Blues, Jazz, Theater and Improvisational Singing with ease. As a seasoned performer, she is dynamic and engaging on stage. Her music is thought provoking and reaches out to the heart of our longing for connection with love and hope. Because Ella and Billie are two of her “Sheroes,” Patti is over the moon excited about being part of this top-shelf talent paying honor and respect to the unparalleled impact these two had and have on American Music.
Char Jones is a mother, singer, songwriter, recording artist, and motivator. She began her musical journey in the church, where she sang, led the choir, and composed music. Char has served as the Music Director/Pianist for 39 years. Char’s mission is to sing, inspire, and empower. She has traveled and shared her love of music on many different stages. Char’s vocal style can be described as “A soulful mix of Contemporary Gospel infused with Jazz, Soul, and Divine inspiration.”
Lauren Dukes is a singer/songwriter from Chicago. Being entrenched, from an early age, in many different musical styles (including Gospel, Classical, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, & World music) has shaped her into a well rounded multi-genre artist. With the release of her self-titled EP in 2021, publications from all over the world have agreed she is an artist to have on your radar and playlists. Lauren’s passion and love for the craft is best displayed on live stages as she sings every note with conviction and emotion.
Most 12 year olds don’t know all the words to A-Tisket, A-Tasket or have the greatest hits of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and Rosemary Clooney on rotation in their 5 CD changer boombox. But Meredith George wasn’t your typical 12 year old. Raised by a mother whose secret desire was to become a singer in a smokey jazz lounge, Meredith has put all the years of piano lessons, musicals and choirs to good use, along with her degree in Music Business. As part of local trio The Backups, Meredith plays piano and sings with two of her best friends. She describes Jazz and the “lady-crooners” Ella, Billie, Lena and Rosemary as her all
time musical favorites.
