MUSIC | Lincoln trio Desirée Ruhstrat, violin, David Cunliffe, cello, and Marta Aznavoorian, piano,
comprise the Lincoln Trio. Formed in 2003, the Chicago-based ensemble takes its
name from their home state of Illinois, the land of Lincoln. But this trio’s accomplishments range throughout the United States and Europe, with members
performing at the White House and with such groups as the Berlin Radio
Orchestra. Under the banner of the Lincoln Bicentennial, the trio performs as
part of the Ravinia Festival, which is sponsoring a statewide tour bringing the
Lincoln Trio to towns associated with Lincoln’s life. They performed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, with future
dates set in Lincoln and Decatur. But this is a chance to see the group perform
in association with the Illinois State Museum’s Bicentennial Exhibition: From Humble Beginnings: Lincoln’s Illinois 1830-1861. Lincoln Trio’s repertoire will include newly composed works that were commissioned through
Ravinia’s first composition competition, featuring spoken word text. They will also play
works by Brahms and Mendelssohn, contemporaries of Lincoln.
Lincoln Trio
Mar 10, 4-4:45pm
Illinois State Museum
Spring and Edwards streets
217-782-7911
Free
ART | Watercolor opening The Sangamon Watercolor Society was founded in 1986 to promote the art and
appreciation of watercolor painting, and to present opportunities for
continuing education and the exhibition of artwork, while also helping
watercolor enthusiasts connect. The current watercolor painting exhibition
includes the work of Carolyn Owen Sommer of Springfield and Michael Delaney of
Decatur. Both are members and dedicated part-time painters who have families
and jobs in central Illinois. Carolyn received a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree
from Bradley University in pottery, but has worked in watercolor for the last
seven years. Her piece, “Early Morning,” seen above is included in those on display for the next six weeks.
Watercolor painting exhibit opening reception
Saturday Mar 7
5:30am-7:30pm
Hoogland Center for the Arts
Third Floor Boardroom Gallery
217-523-2787
Free
MUSIC | Classical guitar Years ago a boy grew up in Springfield, attended Springfield High School and the
First Presbyterian Church, and developed a passion to play guitar. With the
influence of a local guitar teacher, who still teaches out of her home,
Aerosmith tunes turned to Bach melodies, and a classical guitarist was born.
Michel Chatara-Morse, a classically trained musician from Chicago, returns home
to perform a potpourri of compositions from the likes of Bach, Piazzolla and
Sorr preceded with personal stories, including how one piece relates to his
childhood in the capital city. As both a teacher and performer, Michel still
finds time in his busy schedule to serve on the Chicago Classical Guitar
Society board, and as assistant festival director of the Rantucci International
Guitar Festival and Competition taking place this June in Buffalo, N.Y. His
newest CD is scheduled to be released in late summer.
Michel Chatara-Morse
Saturday Mar 7
8pm
First Presbyterian Church
321 S. Seventh St.
217-726-8991
$12 adults, $9 students, seniors
BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Right Now There’s nothing wrong with what The Right Now is doing. The Chicago-based group,
featuring vocalist Stefanie Berecz and songwriter/guitarist Brendan O’Connell, plus Chris Corsale, a former member of 56 Hope Road, combines an
original soul music groove with the amazingly emotive vocals of Berecz to
create a classic, contemporary sound that is, well, right for now. During her
short but productive career, the 23-year-old Berecz opened for Mary J. Blige
and appeared in MTV’s Making the Band. Over the past year the band coalesced as a group, then morphed from the name
Eli Jones into The Right Now. Soon they’ll be in the recording studio with Steve Gillis and Vijay Tellis-Nayak at
Transient Sound in Chicago to record a new disk scheduled for a summer of ’09 release.
The Right Now
Thursday, March 12, 10 p.m.
The Planet
www.myspace.com/therightnowmusic
This article appears in Feb 26 – Mar 4, 2009.
