Community. Communion between audience and performers. Inspiration, anticipation, spontaneity; SHARED transcendent moments. Do you miss these things? I sure do! The Virtual Dream Café (VDC) attempts to recreate this atmosphere, via Zoom (interactive environment), until live music venues are able to reopen.
It’s not often that nationally acclaimed musicians, songwriters, and performers (and decades-long friends) Don Stiernberg and Al Day & Bob Long are gathered in the same virtual lineup. Folk, bluegrass, jazz; mandolin, piano, guitar... a stellar evening to be sure! Sue is pleased to host, and join, these wonderful guys in the VDC.
About the Performers:
- Chicago-based Don Stiernberg recently began his fifth decade as a working musician. Along the way he has performed, written, recorded, produced, and taught music. He sings, plays guitar, tenor banjo, and fiddle; but Don is best known for his mandolin playing.
As a teenager, Don studied with Jethro Burns, famous comedian (Homer and Jethro) and the greatest mandolinist of his time. Burns became role-model, hero, mentor, and friend, and Stiernberg was hooked. His earliest professional experience was in a bluegrass band with his brother (The Morgan Bros.) and a bit later in The Jethro Burns Quartet.
Currently Don is regarded as a leading exponent of jazz mandolin style, and a respected teacher. The most recent of his nine recording projects is Good Numbers, a collection of standards and jazz tunes played by his working band, The Don Stiernberg Trio. He’s played at renowned festivals and symposiums world-wide. He’s also a frequent contributor to the varied musical projects of many a friend. https://donstiernberg.com/
- It’s possible that Al Day and Bob (“Keys”) Long have been friends since before they were born. Both are longtime staples of the Chicago folk and jazz scenes. Al plays guitar and other stringed instruments. His voice is gravelly and soulful; his original songs are deep and haunting, a howl of the soul. Add to that some unexpected humor, and the magic of Bob’s piano – "Keys" has that rare ability to compose emotions into melodies on the fly – and you have something original and compelling. When they play with their quintet, The Last Word (with Marc Smith, Doug Lofstrom, and Brain Gephart), they create original art right before your very eyes. Not to be missed! https://www.facebook.com/LastWordQuintet
- Chicago-based singer/songwriter Sue Fink enchants audiences with her whimsical perspective on the world, through her compelling songs and charming performances. Her genre, “urban campfire cabaret,” is folk with a hint of jazz, a large dollop of humor, and a drop of sadness for good measure. Her songs receive airplay locally and nationally, including "The Midnight Special" (WFMT) and "Folk Festival" (Lilli Kuzma, WDCB); most recently, her “Alternate Universe” song was included in Episode 691 of This American Life (NPR).
Sue performs solo, as CatBird (duo with Jane Godfrey), and as SongSisters (trio with Amy Dixon-Kolar and Patti Shaffner). As host of the Virtual Dream Café, Sue appears in the round with very talented performers whom she feels everyone should get to know. https://suefink.com/
About the show format:
- "In the round" means we each perform a song, one after another. Performers are inspired by each other's songs, and spontaneity abounds!
- This show starts at 7:30pm CST, and runs 60-70 minutes... likely 3 to 4 rounds
- "Doors open" at 7:15pm CST, so we can chat before the show begins. (Zoom is an interactive environment, where performers and audience can see and hear each other! Audience will be muted during the show, for sound clarity issues, but we can talk before and after the performance.)
- This will be an intentional show: we ask you to donate to reserve your seat, and then be present so we can share community. The show will NOT be recorded for later viewing. The intent is for us to share the magic together, in real time.
- Your generous $donation goes directly to these artists. Your donation also reserves your place in the "Zoom room," so to speak. We look forward to sharing music, and community, with you!
Speakers
{{ key == 'null' ? '' : key}}
{{speaker.FirstName}} {{speaker.LastName}}
{{speaker.JobTitle}}
{{speaker.MemberName}}
{{speaker.Description}}
Frequently Asked Questions
{{faq.Question}}
{{socialPost.PostUserName}}
Refund Policy
Your donation is non-refundable, but you may transfer your spot to someone else (for the same show date) if you're unable to attend.
{{member.BuyerName}}