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.
** How better to finish Season 1 in the VDC than to celebrate with dear friends Emily White and Heather Styka? Each performer brings their unique perceptions, individual musical stylings, joy and kindness for a fun-filled finale show! **
About the Performers:
- Chicago-based independent folk-rock touring singer/songwriter Emily White captivates audiences with her unique voice and favorite Martin guitar, bringing her Southern roots and Midwestern charm to each show she performs. She’s described as standing out “conspicuously from the pack…with her hushed, preternaturally haunting vocal delivery and bewitching sense of indie-rock-informed melody” (Connect Savannah).
In performances, Emily “adds an infusion of humor, audibly diverse musical influences and a truly singular sound that may leave even the most severe folk cynics entertained” (Asheville Citizen-Times). She has released four albums to date, the most recent being the Kai Welch-produced LP Staking Flags in the Valley. She’s currently working on her fifth release. https://emily-white.com/
- Chicago songwriter Heather Styka cuts to the truth with gutsy vulnerability. With a heartfelt croon that brings to mind Billie Holiday or Patsy Cline, Styka combines the lyrical intricacy of folk with a catchy melodic pop sensibility and the grit of classic country in songs that are smart and disarming. With her guileless, unvarnished delivery, she’s equal parts wordsmith and entertainer. Styka’s energetic shows feel as intimate and candid as late night conversation, peppered with a quirky sense of humor and confessional storytelling.
Heather fearlessly tries new styles, but the foundation that lies beneath all her songs is honesty. She’s released five CDs, including her latest, the much celebrated North, with the Danish backing band The Sentimentals. http://heatherstyka.com/ - 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
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.