Joliet area in January will be filled with musical entertainment

The passing of the holidays and the cold, wintery weather can have you feeling – not singing – the blues.

So get back in tune this January with some Joliet-area live music, music trivia, storytelling that begins with music, a comedic murder mystery play about actors collaborating on a musical and a free, family-friendly concert with a musical instrument petting zoo.

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre

Musical Comedy Murders of 1940: 7 p.m. Jan. 24, Jan. 25, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 and 2 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2, Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.

The Joliet Drama Guild will present this farcical whodunit that revolves around actors rehearsing for a musical in the 1940s and the murders of three chorus girls.

For tickets and more information, visit cur8.com. For more information about the Joliet Drama Guild, visit thejolietdramaguild.com. For more information about the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park, visit bicentennialpark.org.

(Left to right) Batavia High School students Maisie Sweeney, Sophie Chahmirzadi, Isaac Schifferer, Max Mitchell, Natalie Sweeney and Meghan Tucker previously performed a scene from "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" during a preview event for community members at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre in this. undated photo. The Joliet Drama Guild will present the play in January and early February at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre. (Sandy Bressner)

Embers Taphouse

Windy City Dueling Pianos: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Embers Taphouse, 933 S. State St., Lockport. Two entertainers perform high-energy live music on two pianos along with interactive comedy.

For tickets and optional dinner reservations, call 815-552-3031 or visit emberstaphouse.com. For more information on Windy City Dueling Pianos, visit windycityduelingpianos.com.

Parties who would like to sit together should purchase all tickets at once or email the request to embers933lockport@gmail.com.

Windy City Dueling Pianos will entertain guests at the annual fundraiser for LaSalle County Friends of Extension & 4-H on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Ottawa. — Windy City Dueling Pianos will entertain guests at Embers Taphouse in Lockport this January. (Photo provided by Windy City Dueling Pianos)

Fine Tunes Center for the Arts

Josh Caterer Acoustic: 6 p.m. Jan. 25, Fine Tunes Center for the Arts, 25307 W. Eames St., Channahon.

The all-age acoustic show features Josh Caterer, lead singer, lead guitarist and principal songwriter of the Chicago pop-punk band Smoking Popes. $10 cover at the door.

For more information, visit facebook.com/FineTunesMusicAcademy.

Nik & Ivy Brewing

Stories R Us: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15, Nik & Ivy Brewing, 1026 S. State St., Lockport.

An evening of music with Harold McCay followed by storytelling by Andy Neill, Laura Gillogly, Adam Graber, Matt Jones and Clint Cargile. Free-will offering appreciated.

For more information, visit storiesrus.fun and nikivybrewing.com.

Nik & Ivy Brewing Company on State Street in downtown Lockport. Nik & Ivy will host a storytelling event as well as a music trivia event in January. (Jessie Molloy)

Rock ’N Riddle: Name That Tune: 7 p.m. Jan. 22, Nik & Ivy Brewing, 1026 S. State St., Lockport. Also at 7 p.m. Jan. 30, Black Dog Vinyl Café, 16108 S. Route 59, Suite 112, Plainfield.

Music-based trivia game by Rock ‘N Riddle, a Homer Glen-based music trivia company. The songs are curated around a secret theme players must try to identify. It’s a great way to test music knowledge spanning multiple decades and genres.

For more information, about Rock ‘N Riddle, call 708-921-1297 or email ncpogs@gmail.com. For more information about Nik & Ivy Brewing, visit nikivybrewing.com. For more information about Black Dog Vinyl Café, call 815-733-6032.

Rialto Square Theatre

The Greatest Love of All – A Tribute to Whitney Houston: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22, Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet.

Belinda Davids brings Whitney Houston’s musical legacy and greatest hits to life in a critically acclaimed tribute accompanied by a live band, backing vocalists, and state-of-the-art sound, lighting, vision and theatrical effects.

For tickets and more information, visit rialtosquare.com/events.

“The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston” starring Belinda Davids will be at the Rialto Square Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 22. (Photo provided by Rialto Square Theatre. )

Scotty McCreery: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet.

McCreery, who won the 10th season of American Idol in 2011, is an American country singer and author.

For tickets and more information, visit rialtosquare.com/events.

Country singer Scotty McCreery will be at the Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet Jan. 23, 2025. (Photo provided by Rialto Square Theatre. )

ROXY Lockport

Beatology: 8 p.m. Jan. 25, ROXY Lockport, 1017 S. State St., Lockport.

A Beatles tribute band will perform at this event offering full theater seating. Dancing space is available in the bar.

Lockport hosted the HBO season 3 premiere of "Somebody Somewhere" at Roxy Lockport on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Lockport. — Lockport hosted the HBO season 3 premiere of "Somebody Somewhere" at ROXY Lockport on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Lockport. ROXY Lockport will also host Beatology, a Beatles tribute band, in January, (Gary Middendorf)

For tickets and more information, visit roxylockport.com. For more information about Beatology, visit facebook.com/thebeatologybeatles.

University of St. Francis

JSO Family Concert & Instrument Petting Zoo: 11 a.m. Jan. 18, University of St. Francis, Sexton Auditorium (Moser Performing Arts Center), 500 Wilcox St., Joliet.

The Joliet Symphony Orchestra will host a family-friendly concert with an opportunity for audience members to interact with the musicians and try out some instruments. Admission is free, but tickets are required.

For tickets and information, visit stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser.