Downhome opera fires up a ‘Barbecu’

Picture Wagner’s “Ring Cycle” transplanted to Texas. Imagine five actors playing all 30 roles from a singing cowboy named Seigfried to a trio of triplets. Shows don’t get much sillier than “Das Barbecu.”

Last rodeo for Country Calendar concert

Attention old-time country music lovers: If you’ve ever been a fan of artist Heather McAdams’ annual Country Calendar and its accompanying blowout concert parties, don’t miss this year’s release celebration. It’s going to be the last one for the foreseeable future. The 2013 Country Calendar …

Musings and music mark ‘Midwinter’

It’s ‘Midwinter’ again in Oak Park. After last year’s successful “Midwinter’s Tales: Peace, Joy and Hope,” the Oak Park Festival Theatre is presenting an all-new selection of holiday-themed readings and music as a co-benefit with Oak Park River Forest Walk-In Ministry’s crisis-management services.

Supremes singer helps tell Lena Horne’s life story

If you know all there is to know about the great Lena Horne, or if you couldn’t pick her out of a lineup, a new show aims to teach everyone something about the dazzling singer. North Central College presents “Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Project” …

Big Band concert will aid jazz students

It will be an evening of fine, big band jazz to support a new generation of jazz musicians. “I’m proud of what we’re doing and accomplishing in this short time with Jazz Community, in we’re keeping Bill’s memory alive with the music he loved through the band he created and built,” said Marianne May of Norridge.

Orchestras tuning up for busy season

Summer is winding down, but things are just warming up for area orchestras. Here is a look at the upcoming classical music season.

Bella Voce

presents its opening concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Program includes William Byrd’s “Mass for Four Voices,” and Frank …

Ravinia extends classical concert season

Building on the success of the summer’s many classical concerts in Bennett Gordon Hall for $10 each, the Ravinia Festival is presenting eight programs in the 450-seat theater this season for that very attractive price.

Titled “BGH $10 classics,” the series runs October through April …

Hall & Oates bringing ‘rock ’n’ soul’ to Ravinia

Darryl Hall and John Oates, one of the most influential rock duos during the Reagan years, return to Ravinia on Sept. 1. Better known as Hall & Oates, the two men rocked the pop stage with their rock and R&B; fusion throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, en route to being named Billboard’s best duo of all time.

Folksinger Andrew Calhoun appears with Danny Schmidt

Folksinger Andrew Calhoun appears with Danny Schmidt at 8 p.m. Aug. 28 at the WDCB studio complex in the Open Campus Center on the College of DuPage campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The performance is part of the station’s “Folk Festival” program. Tickets are $15. Visit www.WDCB.org or call (630) 942-4200.

Janiva Magness sings at Fitzgerald’s

“An Evening with Janiva Magness,” blues diva, takes place at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Tickets are $15. Call (708) 788-2118or see www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.