Arts & Entertainment
Feed Your Head: L-W East Jazz Showcase Mixes Music With a Meal
Students from the school's jazz ensembles perform at second annual dinner dance to raise funds for the music program.
Although the music department has offered a spring jazz concert for several years, the dinner dance is only in its second year.
"Last year's Jazz Showcase at Giorgio's was a lovely event," said co-chair Anne Johnson. "The dinner was very good, and the music was great!"
Entertainment throughout the evening this year includes performances by Blue Revue Jazz Choir, Blue Notes Jazz Choir, Jazz Ensemble 1, Jazz Ensemble 2 and the Jazz Combo.
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"People who attend will hear many jazz standards along with several new pieces. One of the most enjoyable parts of the evening will be the last big band set in which we will open up the floor for any guests who would like to dance. It's going to be a lot of fun," said Lincoln-Way East High School music department chair Clif Smith.
This year's event will be held at DiNolfo's Banquets in Mokena on Friday, May 13, and features a dinner of sirloin of beef au jus, baked breast of chicken, tossed salad, homemade bread dressing, butter whipped potatoes, whole green beans and ice cream for dessert. A vegetarian pasta dish is available upon request.
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In addition to the dinner and dancing, Johnson and her co-chairs, Judy Bird and Jennifer Bumba, are in the process of collecting prizes for the raffle, which last year raised more than $1,000 for the music program. To donate a raffle prize, contact Johnson at 815-464-6320.
"This is a celebration of great jazz music, and it is especially exciting that these young people have embraced this iconic art form," Smith said. " Our jazz groups are exceptional in many ways, and I believe our guests will find that it compares to similar professional events in and around the area."
Lincoln-Way East High School Jazz Showcase
When: Friday, May 13. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
Where: DiNolfo's Banquets, 9425 W. 191 St., Mokena.
How much? $40, $75 for couples. Ticket orders are due no later than 9 a.m. Monday, May 9, and can be dropped off at the main office of Lincoln-Way East High School. An order form can be found online.
