From the press release:
Tickets available for annual Music Barn Festival
Monticello – Allerton Park & Retreat Center and the University of Illinois’ School of Music have announced performance details for their annual Music Barn Festival, coming up September 29 – October 1. Limited tickets are available online for the three day event at the Allerton Music Barn, 588 Allerton Road, Monticello.
The Festival will kick off Friday evening at 7:30pm with the University of Illinois Jazz Faculty presenting A Dizzy Gillespie Centenary Tribute. The one-of-a-kind celebration will feature a diverse selection of John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie’s compositions, as a 100th-birthday tribute to one of the founders of modern jazz.
Lyric Theatre at Illinois presents the original Broadway musical [title of show] on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. This somewhat “brash”, high-energy musical tells the story of “two nobodies in New York” who set out to develop a new show – which turns out to be the show you’re watching.
“Our faculty and students are excited to continue performing at the Barn,” said School of Music Director Jeffrey Magee. “Our jazz concerts and musicals have been particularly appealing to audiences, so this year’s programs are already creating a lot of buzz.”
In addition to quality entertainment, the unique setting of the Festival has helped it gain popularity since it began ten years ago. With an all-wood construction that reflects and absorbs sound simultaneously, and 30-foot ceilings, the restored Dutch hay barn at Allerton Park serves as a functional and charming performance space.
“The Music Barn Festival has been a crowd favorite for several years, and we are happy to be able to continue this fall tradition,” explained Allerton’s Director Derek Peterson. “The Music Barn provides a different experience for both attendees and musicians – it’s a memorable, unique place.”
The Festival went on a brief hiatus in 2015, among state budget concerns, and was brought back on a smaller scale in 2016. Organizers are enthusiastic about the return to a three-day schedule.
“Showcasing the University’s musical talent in Allerton’s historic Barn just makes sense,” Peterson said. “We plan to once again make this a permanent fixture in Allerton’s portfolio; a staple in the community’s vast performing arts lineup.”
Peterson also noted that collaborating with other University departments is critical, given Allerton’s unique location 25 miles west of campus.
“Various University groups come out to utilize the Mansion’s unique meeting space, and there are always multiple research projects going on in our Natural Areas,” Peterson explained. “This partnership with the School of Music gives us another chance to connect with staff and faculty, and offer unique cultural opportunities to the students and community.”
Allerton’s Concert Series is made possible with the support of presenting sponsor, the University of Illinois Community Credit Union, as well as: the News-Gazette, The Ayers Family, Illinois Public Media, Country Arbors, The Friends of Allerton, Kirby Medical Center, AHW LLC, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD), The Herbold Family Trust, and Kennedy Hutson Associates.
Tickets can be purchased through Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, at their website, krannertcenter.com, or by calling the box office at 217-333-6280.
Photos courtesey of Allerton Park.