The Venue in Aurora unveils more music shows

The Venue, the 200-seat music performance space in Aurora, has added the following shows to its January offerings.

Terrapin Flyer keeps the Grateful Dead alive at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13. They have toured with members of the Grateful Dead, as well as the Jerry Garcia Band, and are considered Chicago’s premier Dead band, a news release stated. Premium seating costs $20, and general admission $15 (all ticket prices increase by $5 at the door).

Miles Over Mountains performs its fiery bluegrass at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14. Based out of McHenry, Miles Over Mountains brings a contemporary feel to bluegrass with their originals and covers. Their 2020 release, “Work Smarter Not Harder,” saw the band touring as much as possible during the pandemic. Singer-songwriter and Aurora favorite Pete Jive will open the show. Seating costs $15 and $10, respectively.

Chanson Du Chat plays its “Gypsy jazz” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. Few dare to attempt to recreate the lively music that was created by such luminaries as Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and Edith Piaf. But Chanson Du Chat, led by John Papadolias, does it. The band consists of Papadolias, Chad Watson, Dave Bowers and Jim LeFager, and at this show they will have special guest saxophonist Steve Gaugel with them. Tickets cost $20 and $15, respectively.

The Pete Ellman Jazz Big Band will continue its weekly residency series on Tuesday, Jan. 18. The opening set will feature the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage. General admission costs $5. The series is sponsored by the Fox Valley Music Foundation.

The Flat Five will return at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. An incredible array of Chicago musical mainstays comprise The Flat Five, the release stated. Nora O’Connor and Kelly Hogan (Mavis Staples, The Decemberists, Neko Case), Scott Ligon and Casey McDonough (NRBQ) and Alex Hall (JD MacPherson) make up the band. ”The music is romantic, the harmonies sublime,” concert organizers said. Tickets cost $25 and $20, respectively.

The film “Learning To Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs & Englishmen” will be screened at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. The film tells both the story of Joe Cocker’s 1970 experiment of taking a traveling commune on the road via private plane, and the reunion of 12 Mad Dogs members with the Tedeschi Trucks Band. The movie has been critically acclaimed as one of the greatest rock and roll movies of all time, and only has been shown once in Illinois. Scott Tipping and Chad Watson will be on hand to DJ vinyl from the era, as well as play a short tribute set to Cocker and the Mad Dogs following the screening. Tickets cost $22 and $20, respectively.

For COVID-19 protocols, all patrons will be asked to show proof of vaccination along with a photo ID to enter. Masks are required at all times except while consuming beverages in ticketed seats.

For the full schedule of January shows, go to themusicvenue.org. Refer to the individual event pages for current entry requirements for the show you plan to attend.

The Venue is owned and operated by the nonprofit Fox Valley Music Foundation; to learn more, visit foxvalleymusicfoundation.com.