www.nwitimes.com
by: Eloise Marie Valadez
There’ll be a musical smorgasbord on the menu during the upcoming fall concert season in the region.
Headline entertainers from all genres will bring their shows to local theaters, casino stages and Chicago venues large and small. The autumn concert season is promising to be a hot one. Music fans will find everything from arena rock artists, country musicians and pop stars to rockers, orchestral shows, easy listening acts and more on the menu.
The following list features just a sample of who’ll entertain us this season.
Willie Nelson, Sept. 18.
The beloved country superstar will perform at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $54 to $79.
Star Plaza Theatre, Interstate 65 and U.S. 30, Merrillville. Visit starplazatheatre.com:
Farm Aid, Sept. 19. The 30th anniversary of Farm Aid is being celebrated this year. The music festival runs from noon to 11 p.m. Other events are being held in conjunction with the fest. Performers on the roster include Willie Nelson and Family, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Imagine Dragons, Jack Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Old Crow Medicine Show, Mavis Staples, Blackwood Quartet and more. Visit the website farmaid.com for more information and ticket prices.
City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Visit citywinery.com
Justin Hayward, Sept. 6 and 8. Concert begins at 8 p.m.
Dr. John & The Nite Trippers, Sept. 9 and 11. Show begins at 8 p.m.
Ann Hampton Callaway, Sept. 13. Concert begins at 8 p.m.
Marcia Ball, Sept. 19;
Lucinda Williams, Sept. 23 and 24;
Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, Oct. 11 and An Evening with Aaron Neville, Oct. 12
Fantasia and Friends, Sept. 12. Fantasia Barrino and her friends El DeBarge and Lyfe Jennings will perform at 8 p.m. The singer, who had hits with ‘I Believe,” “Truth Is,” and other songs, won “American Idol” in 2004. Tickets range from $74 to $94.
Zappa Plays Zappa, Sept. 23. Dweezil Zappa and The Zappa Family Trust present Zappa Plays Zappa at 7:30 p.m. Frank Zappa’s music is celebrated in the show starring his son Dweezil. This is the 10th anniversary of the show. Tickets range from $35 to $70.
Super Fresh Hip Hop Fest, Oct. 3. The Super Fresh Hip Hop Fest, at 8 p.m., stars Salt N Pepa, KRS-One, Epmd, Special Ed, Kwame and Dana Dane. Tickets are $55 to $95.
The Zombies, Oct. 16. The ’60s band, featuring Colin Blumstone and Rod Argent, will perform at 8 p.m. Expect hits such as “Tell Her No,” “Time of the Season” and “She’s Not There.” Tickets range from $35 to $50.
Buddy Guy, Nov. 14. The blues guitar great will entertain at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $60.
Thanksgiving Soul Jam, Nov. 27. The musical event, at 7 p.m., stars the Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, The Spinners, Dramatics, The Manhattans and Enchantment. Tickets range from $65 to $95.
Kenny Rogers Christmas, Nov. 28. Pop/country icon Kenny Rogers will perform at 8 p.m. Rogers will highlight Christmas tunes as well as some of his hits. Tickets are $45 to $60.
The Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Show, Dec. 20. Longtime favorites of the Star Plaza, The Oak Ridge Boys are coming back to celebrate Christmas with a 4 p.m. show. Tickets are $39 to $49.
The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond. Visit caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond:
Mariachi & Tequila Festival, Oct. 3. MyHabanero.com presents the 4th annual Mariachi & Tequila Festival at 6 p.m. Graciela Beltran will perform. Tickets are $60 to $95.
Festival of Praise, Nov. 21. The Festival of Praise, at 2 and 8 p.m., stars Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin and more. Tickets range from $40 to $60.
Donny and Marie Osmond, Nov. 27. The sibling duo will take the stage at 8 p.m. Donny and Marie are currently enjoying a hit musical residency at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. Tickets are $64 to $99.
Heart, Dec. 6. The rocker sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson, will perform at 8 p.m. Tickets are $69 to $89.
Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville and The Auditorium at Bethel Church in Crown Point. Visit nisoorchestra.org or call (219) 836-0525, ext. 200:
Hooray for Hollywood, Sept. 25. Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra opens its 2015-2016 season with the “Hooray for Hollywood” show at 8 p.m at Star Plaza Theatre. Gala event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Celebrity Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza. The orchestra, led by music director Kirk Muspratt, will also present “Amadeus!,” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at The Auditorium at Bethel Church; Holiday Pops at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Star Plaza Theatre and other shows. Visit the website for more information. The gala reservation deadline is Sept. 11. Subscriptions for the entire season are also available. The orchestra is currently celebrating its 74th anniversary.
Stardust Event Center at Blue Chip Casino, Michigan City. Visit bluechipcasino.com.
Kashmir, Sept. 26. The Led Zeppelin tribute band Kashmir will perform at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $10.
Legends in Concert, Oct. 15, 16 and 17. The popular Legends in Concert, saluting a variety of musical icons, perform at 7 p.m. all three days. Tickets start at $15.
Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo, Mich. Visit fourwindscasino.com.
Craig Morgan, Sept. 11. The country musician will perform at 9 p.m. EST. Tickets are $25.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Oct. 16. The rocking guitarist performs at 9 p.m. EST. Tickets range from $65 to $100.
Greg Allman, Oct. 30. Popular solo performer and member of The Allman Brothers band, Allman will entertain at 9 p.m. EST. Tickets are $50 to $100.
Brian Wilson with special guest Al Jardine, Nov. 13. The songwriter and founder of The Beach Boys will perform at 9 p.m. EST. Tickets are $55 to $125.
Jackie Evancho, Dec. 18. Evancho, who gained wide popularity on “America’s Got Talent,” has been singing since she was a child. The singer will perform at 9 p.m. EST. Tickets are $50 to $80.
Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso. Visit memorialoperahouse.com.
Over the Rhine, Sept. 19. The folk musical group will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $45.
Willie Nile, Nov. 7. Nile will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $40.
Chicago Jazz Festival, Sept. 3 to 6. The annual fest will be held at the Cultural Center and Millennium Park. Visit jazzchicago.org.
United Center, Chicago. Visit unitedcenter.com for ticket information:
Madonna, Sept. 28. The singer’s Rebel Heart Tour starts at 8 p.m.
Ariana Grande, Oct. 2. Show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Stevie Wonder, Oct. 16. The Motown great will perform his Songs in the Key of Life tour at 8 p.m.
Luke Bryan, Oct. 28 and 29. The Kick Up the Dust Tour begins at 7:30 p.m.
Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Tinley Park. Visit livenation.com for ticket information:
Toby Keith, Sept. 4. The country singer’s show begins at 4 p.m.
Def Leppard, Sept. 5. The ’80s rockers will perform at 7 p.m.
Kid Rock’s First Kiss Cheap Date Tour, Sept. 12. Kid Rock performs on a bill with Foreigner at 6:45 p.m.
Ed Sheeran, Sept. 16. The popular artist takes the stage at 7 p.m.
Rascal Flatts, Sept. 18. The group will perform at 7:30 p.m.
Allstate Arena, Rosemont. Visit allstatearena.com for ticket information:
Marc Anthony and Carlos Vives, Sept. 25. Show begins at 9 p.m.
Ricky Martin, Oct. 11. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Trans Siberian Orchestra, Dec. 28. Celebrate the holiday season at the group’s 3:30 and 8:30 p.m. shows
Park West, Chicago. Visit jamusa.com/park-west:
Fall Out Boy, Sept. 11. The group will perform the 2015 Chicago Bears Miller Lite Kickoff Concert at 7 p.m. Visit the website for prices.
The Chicago Theatre, Chicago. Visit thechicagotheatre.com
Janet Jackson, Nov. 3, 4, 6. Jackson performs her Unbreakable World Tour.
The following is the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra‘s fall concert information.
Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville and The Auditorium at Bethel Church in Crown Point. Visit nisoorchestra.org or call (219) 836-0525, ext. 200:
Hooray for Hollywood, Sept. 25. Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra opens its 2015-2016 season with the “Hooray for Hollywood” show at 8 p.m at Star Plaza Theatre. Gala event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Celebrity Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza. The orchestra, led by music director Kirk Muspratt, will also present “Amadeus!,” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at The Auditorium at Bethel Church; Holiday Pops at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Star Plaza Theatre and other shows. Visit the website for more information. The gala reservation deadline is Sept. 11. Subscriptions for the entire season are also available. The orchestra is currently celebrating its 74th anniversary.