The Venue unveils musical livestreams for April

The Venue, the 200-seat music performance space in Aurora, will continue livestream performances in the month of April because of the pandemic. All performances will be broadcast live from The Venue’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

At each performance, a donation is suggested, and donations are split between the artists and the Fox Valley Music Foundation. All information and schedules can be found at themusicvenue.org.

The Kevin Trudo starts off the month at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 7. A singer-songwriter who claims to hate singers and songwriters will provide an intimate look at his life with songs and stories. Never a dull moment when The Kevin Trudo takes the stage, and he always makes a connection with his audience, a news release stated.

Album Cover Series: Crosby, Stills & Nash will wow you at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 11. “They are three together,” sang Stephen Stills, and so are Leslie Beukelman, Ellie Kahn and Scott Tipping. The three first sang together during a performance of “Rumors” by Fleetwood Mac (the second Album Covers show at The Venue), and the rest was history. Tune in to hear the warm, signature harmonies that launched the Woodstock generation.

Sam Wyatt, a Chicago native songwriter who has opened for Blues Traveler and Counting Crows with his former national touring band, Train Company, will livestream at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14. A gifted composer, Sam has been creating music for various projects for the last 15 years in the Chicago area. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a degree in jazz piano. “This will be a very special performance you won’t want to miss,” organizers stated.

Steeped in bluegrass, blues and American roots music, The Desperate Bastards, livestreaming at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 18, will bring an energy and love for improvisation and tradition bound with modern edges. Band members include Mike Church on guitars, Wavy Dave Burlingame on bass, Drew Littell on drums and Rob Anderlik on dobro, lap steel and guitars. Their bag is deep, drawing from old standards, classic rock tunes, swampy blues, traditional fiddle tunes and original compositions.

The monthly series, “What’s on Your Turntable?” – Kiss the Sky Records owner Steve Warrenfeltz’s exploration of the personal record collections of the not so rich and famous, will feature special guest Ted Rzeszweski, a customer of Kiss the Sky in Batavia, jazz aficionado and all-around music lover. The show livestreams at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21.

The monthly series, The Venues for Venues, will feature The Venue. Scott Tipping will interview Fox Valley Music Foundation Executive Director Melissa Mercado and The Venue’s General Manager Sarah Garcia. A musical performance will be included. Tune in at 7 p.m.Sunday, April 25. The Venue has been hit hard during the pandemic, so all proceeds will go to the Fox Valley Music Foundation on behalf of The Venue for this livestream.

All of The Venue livestreams remain available after the performances on both The Venue’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, but donations are only shared during the real-time livestreams with performers and other venues, so best to catch them while they are in progress.

“We hope to break to the outside with live music in Mundy Park (adjacent to The Venue) in June,” organizers announced. Livestreams will continue through mid-May.

About The Venue and the Fox Valley Music Foundation

The Venue is owned and operated by the nonprofit Fox Valley Music Foundation and can be found at themusicvenue.org. The Fox Valley Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization comprised of music lovers, music educators, arts enthusiasts and people who have spent many hours, days and years in the business of music. The Foundation’s reason for being is to preserve, promote and present the wonderful music of the Fox Valley area of Illinois while providing music education to people of all ages and from all walks of life. You can contact the Foundation by visiting foxvalleymusicfoundation.com.