Neighbor News
Bach + Beethoven Experience Presents a Chicago-Themed Holiday Concert Dec. 4-5
Concert to feature local parodies of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas,' famous Christmas carols, singalongs and more!
Chicago, Ill. — The Bach + Beethoven Experience — a Chicago-based music group that performs a mix of classical, folk, indigenous, and new music in an interactive and approachable way — is pleased to present “’Twas the Week Before Christmas in Chicago,” a not-so-classical concert of carols, holiday cheer, and a Chicago-themed version of the famous story. The concerts will take place Thursday, Dec. 4 at The Den Theatre and Friday, Dec. 5 at the Irish American Heritage Center. Tickets are $20 at The Den Theatre (not including fees) and $25 at the Irish American Heritage Center (including fees).
In this irreverent concert, the BBE will be singing Chicago-themed verses of “’Twas the Week Before Christmas” set to “Greensleeves,” about a Chicagoan’s quest to catch the Santa El train. The poem’s verses will be weaved in and out of performances of other carols, and will reference everything from visiting the Bean, to shopping on Michigan Avenue, and more.
Listen for lots of Chicago references in the songs, too, including one song about the Lincoln Park Zoo based on the carol “In the Fields,” and a Chicago-themed version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Find out what's happening in Bucktown-Wicker Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“I’ve always loved Chicago during the holidays, and what better way to celebrate this time of year than to pay homage to all of our favorite things that make Chicago Chicago?” said Brandi Berry Benson, artistic director of The Bach + Beethoven Experience. “If you love to laugh and sing along with others, you won’t want to miss this show.”
The concert will also feature other musical parodies, including “Festivus for the Rest of Us,” based on the familiar tune “Deck the Halls,” and the original song “I Saw Krampus on Krampusnacht,” about Krampus (a devilish folkloric figure said to accompany St. Nicholas to punish bad children) appearing to some bar-crawling elves near the Mag Mile.
Find out what's happening in Bucktown-Wicker Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
To round out the show, the BBE will also perform new arrangements of “The Merry Wassail,” “Laast uns Froh,” “O’Rourke’s Feast,” “Bottom of the Punch Bowl” and other carols from all over the world.
The cast of musicians will include soprano Alex Olsavsky and tenor Jonathan Zeng, as well as Jill Kaeding on cello and Braedon Hofmann on lute and baroque guitar, alongside BBE directors Brandi Berry Benson on violin and Leighann Daihl Ragusa on flute. It’s sure to be a jolly time of singalongs, games, and merry music to be had by all!
Hailed as “thrilling… charming… performed with such grace… joy and sincerity that a watcher and listener had to be won over” (Bloomington Herald Times), the BBE offers a fresh approach through its cross-genre music-making and imaginative collaborations at traditional and alternative venues alike. With its “come as you are” approach, the BBE enjoys an interactive experience with its fans across the U.S. from its music, its program mascots, and everything in between that emphasizes community. For more info: bbexperience.org
The Bach + Beethoven Experience Presents “’Twas the Week Before Christmas in Chicago”
When: Dec. 4, 7 p.m.
Where: The Den Theatre, 1331 Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
Tickets: $20 (not including fees)
Info:
When: Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
Where: Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago, IL 60630
Tickets: $25 (including fees)
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/twas-the-week-before-christmas-in-chicago-tickets-1772721149679
About The Bach & Beethoven Experience
Founded in 2010, the Bach & Beethoven Experience brings artists together to collaborate and transform the classical concert experience from a standard passive listening presentation to an interactive experience through classical, folk, indigenous, and new music, using period instruments. Because we feel music is for everyone, our mission is to build community by creating an atmosphere and experience that fosters and encourages a personal connection between the musicians and audiences before, after, and during the performances.
Hailed as “thrilling... charming… performed with such grace… joy and sincerity that a watcher and listener had to be won over" (Bloomington Herald Times), the BBE has performed across the U.S. including at Baroque on Beaver Island Festival, Early Music Academy in Ann Arbor, the Goodman Theater, The Green Mill, Martyrs’, Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, the Dame Myra Hess series, the Bloomington, Boston, Indianapolis Early Music Festival series, in residency at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and more. The Bach & Beethoven Experience has released several albums including “A Gaelic Summer,” “An Appalachian Summer,” “Carols,” and “Chicago Stories the Album.” Find out more at bbexperience.org.
