10 Popular Rialto Acts In Early 2018

JOLIET, IL - In recent years, there was a growing skepticism around Joliet regarding the fate of downtown's crowned jewel, the historic Rialto Square Theatre. Was the indoor entertainment venue a money pit? Could the historic theater attract worthwhile acts? Were the theater's days numbered?

As 2017 draws to a close, one thing is clear: the Rialto's skeptics are less vocal than in years past. Why? Because there's a general consensus around Joliet that the Rialto is on the rebound. VenuWorks, the Ames, Iowa-based company that manages several Midwestern arenas, theaters and convention centers, took over the Rialto's day to day business operations in August 2016. Over the past year, particularly the past six months, the Rialto has stepped up its game and drawn a number of quality acts to downtown Joliet.

Looking ahead, the Rialto's schedule for the first part of 2018 is even better, and new acts are being added regularly.

At Joliet Patch, we've gone through the Rialto's calendar and compiled a Top 10 list of acts that are booked for the early months of 2018. For more information about seating availability for these or other upcoming shows, visit the Rialto website here.

3 DOORS DOWN, Saturday, February 10

Tickets: $58.50, $43.50 and $33.50

Social media popularity: 6.1 million Facebook Likes, 5.5 million Facebook followers.

DAUGHTRY, Monday, April 16

Tickets: $69, $49, $35

Social media popularity: 4 million Facebook Likes, 3.6 million Facebook followers.

SARA EVANS, Sunday, February 25

Tickets:$63.50, $48.50, $43.50

Social media popularity: 1.9 million Facebook Likes, 1.7 million Facebook followers.

REO SPEEDWAGON, Saturday, January 13

Tickets: $92.50, $74.50, $59.50 and $44.50

Social media popularity: 1.7 million Facebook Likes, 1.5 million Facebook followers.

DENNIS MILLER, Friday, January 12

Tickets: $94, $74, $59, $45

Social media popularity: 1.1 million Facebook Likes, more than 1 million followers.

BUDDY GUY, Saturday, March 31

Tickets: $88.50, $68.50, $56, $48.50

Social media popularity: 809,000 Facebook Likes, 752,000 Facebook followers.

LEWIS BLACK, Friday, April 6

Tickets: $65, $49.50, $39.50

Social media popularity: 739,000 Facebook Likes, 705,000 Facebook followers.

JIM JEFFERIES: Friday, April 27

Tickets: $49.50, $39.50

Social media popularity: 573,000 Facebook Likes, 563,000 Facebook followers.

LOS LOBOS WITH THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS, Sunday, April 8

Tickets: $53.50, $38.50, $33.50

Social media popularity: Los Lobos 130,000 Facebook Likes, 121,000 Facebook followers; FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS have 91,000 Facebook Likes and 86,000 Facebook followers.

HAIRBALL, Saturday February 3

Tickets: $35, $30, $25 and $20

Social media popularity: 105,000 Facebook Likes, 96,000 Facebook followers.

Main image via YouTube Chris Daughtry "Waiting For Superman," other images via Rialto Square Theatre