Fire & Flux

Rare reunion performance of New York City free jazz duet, Fire & Flux, featuring Ben Kates on saxophone and Richard Gilman-Opalsky on drums, plus in trio with Adam Larison on guitar. Fire & Flux formed over twenty years ago in New York, playing weekly in the South Bronx, performing live throughout New York and New England, and recording their music. Telepathic, high-intensity, jazz improvisation not to be missed.  

One Hundred Strings: Traditional Music of India

Experience the captivating sounds of traditional Indian string instruments the veena (7 strings) and the santoor (93 strings), played by the world renowned Indian-American Nirmala Rajasekar and Indian, Sandeep Chaterjee, a rich and accomplished Santoor player of our time. Celebrating the Indian music tradition, the string players will be joined by Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi on the Mridangam drum and Ramdas Palsule on the Tabla drums.  This unique event takes place during the Hindu festival of Navaratri, when nine goddesses are celebrated across nine days.

Duo 22

Featuring Adam Larison and Andrew Stroud, Classical guitarists have performed across the US and abroad for two decades to critical acclaim. They present a program of music by Cage, Glass, Tedesco, and Franck curated for the unique acoustical environment at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. 

Learn From the Masters

Featuring UIS Music Students 

A masterclass is a unique learning opportunity for students to work with an instructor – in front of an audience – and to improve musicality, technique, and performance skills. These skills are transferable to any performance-related discipline including athletics, theatre, public speaking etc. Join us for this unique opportunity to watch UIS music students receive guidance from a professional musician. 

First Tuesday Brown Bag Concert

This Brown Bag Concert features UIS student recipients of the Camerata Scholarship, a prestigious scholarship that involves studying an instrument, playing chamber music and in an ensemble, and performing on and off-campus. Come support these talented students in this brief Brown Bag concert. Join us for a while or stay for the entire concert!  

Old Time on the Lake

Featuring The Itchy Fingers String Band 

As summer draws to a close, we invite you to an outdoor concert on the lake, featuring local bluegrass musicians including UIS Sociology/Anthropology Professor Sharon Graf on the fiddle. If you are feeling adventurous, borrow a kayak from UIS Athletics and enjoy the concert on the lake! Otherwise bring a lawn chair or a blanket and listen from the lawn.   

Date Night with Electric Bass Quintet

Featuring Max Beckman 

Enjoy a beverage (sold separately) from our concession stand while experiencing skilled local artists sharing their work in the intimate UIS Studio Theatre.  These short events will leave you with time for dinner afterwards to make for a great date night! 

Max Beckman has assembled an ensemble of four bass guitarists to present the unique sound of his original compositions that use only bass and vocals.  The music is at times mellow, at times rhythmic, and always makes the listener ponder “am I really only hearing bass?” 

Get Free! Music Series

Featuring Shatriya Smith, spoken word 

with Adam Larison and Richard Gilman-Opalsky 

Join us at the UIS Field Station for the first free improvisation event of the academic year featuring local spoken word artist Shatriya Smith, UIS faculty guitarist Adam Larison, and UIS percussionist Richard Gilman-Opalsky. This event is sure to push the boundaries of music making and audience expectations. Not to be missed!