Joliet’s own blues legend joining Buddy Guy’s hall of fame

A Joliet blues musician who has opened for the likes of Muddy Waters and the Fabulous Thunderbirds will be recognized by Buddy Guy on Sunday as he’s inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Harvey “T-Bird Huck” Huckstep will join more than 20 blues performers …

Albright play is about gay teen relationship

A potentially controversial play about young love between two boys, bullying and abuse will be performed in Batavia. The Albright Theatre in Batavia presents the play “Beautiful Thing” by Jonathan Harvey. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays April 26 …

Cluchey, Beckett — unlikely collaborators forge friendship, stage works

This is the story of an inquisitive prisoner and a legendary playwright who would become unlikely friends and collaborators.

San Quentin State Prison seems the last place one would expect the avant-garde plays of Samuel Beckett to be appreciated. But Rick Cluchey is living proof …

The Big Deals for April 26, 2013

From upscale to low-cal, the Sun-Times’ “Big Deals” column brings readers the dish on food and drink specials that will not break the bank.

‘Big Fish’ bytes

Magnolia Bakery, 108 N. State. Applause for the bakery’s “Big Fish (vanilla or chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream …

Diana Krall brings ‘Glad’ tidings

NEW YORK — Diana Krall says she felt reinvigorated making her latest CD, “Glad Rag Doll,” which gave her a chance to escape the comfort zone of Great American Songbook standards on which the singer-pianist has built her reputation. “It’s always exciting to do something …

5 things to do: DuPage Symphony Orchestra

DuPage Symphony Orchestra: Baroque Bonanza, an afternoon of chamber music at 3 p.m. April 28 at the Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton. At 155 S. Main Street, Lombard. Visit dupagesymphony.org. How much: $8-$15 Cantigny Park: Artistry in Wood Woodcarving and Woodworking Show: 9 a.m. …

5 Things To Do: Bolingbrook’s ‘The Ruling Class’

Organ Extravaganza XV: The Rialto Square Theatre’s Barton Grande Theatre Pipe Organ is the star of the show at 7 p.m. April 27. At 102 Chicago St., Joliet. Visit Rialtosquare.com. How much: $30 Gallery 7: Ed Fenendael’s watercolor paintings, to April 30. Hours are 11 …

5 things to do: Steel Beam’s ‘The Seafarer’

“The Seafarer”: Steel Beam Theatre presents the Irish drama to April 28. At 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Call (630) 587-8521 or visit SteelBeamTheatre.com. How much: $23-$25 48th Annual National Antique Decoy and Sporting Collectible Show: The show will take place April 26-27 at …

5 things to do: Blackberry Farm LEGO Bash

“The Seafarer”: Steel Beam Theatre presents the Irish drama to April 28. At 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Call (630) 587-8521 or visit SteelBeamTheatre.com. How much: $23-$25 LEGO Bash: Blackberry Farm will host a two-day event on April 27-28. LEGO creations will be on …

Culture: ‘On the Air’

AUDITIONS NMGC Voices of Hope: Area singers (male and female) who have been affected by cancer are invited to join and attend rehearsals at 10 a.m. Saturdays at Church of The Brethren, 1020 W. Jefferson, Naperville. Organized by The Naperville Men’s Glee Club, this mixed …

Grove Players bring ‘Plaza Suite’ to stage

Just in time for spring, The Grove Players present a classic Neil Simon comedy. “Plaza Suite” will be presented at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays April 26 to May 5 at The Lincoln Center in Downers Grove. “It’s a Neil Simon …

PROCLAIMERS

The term “one-hit wonder” always has required a certain perspective. Many artists who land the singular hit in America score dozens elsewhere. But beyond mere charts and sales, even a one-hit wonder makes a deep impact in other ways. For example, in “Let Them Eat …

Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble comes to NCC

The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble presents an evening of Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin rhythms Saturday in Naperville. The performance begins at 8 p.m. April 27 in North Central College’s Wentz Hall. CALJE was founded by Nicaraguan pianist/composer Darwin Noguera and Mexican trumpeter/composer Victor Garcia in …

Change is coming to Organ Extravaganza at Rialto

In an effort to stay current, the annual Organ Extravaganza show at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet is changing its name and altering its format slightly. “We try to do different things,” said Steve LaManna, who is the volunteer producer of the show. “Many …

Albright play is about gay teen relationship

A potentially controversial play about young love between two boys, bullying and abuse will be performed in Batavia. The Albright Theatre in Batavia presents the play “Beautiful Thing” by Jonathan Harvey. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays April 26 …