Saturday, March 24, 7 p.m.
Ohnward Fine Arts Center, 1215 East Platt Street, Maquoketa IA
Having played music icon Jerry Lee Lewis in more than 2,500 performances of the Tony-winning Million Dollar Baby at Chicago's Apollo Theatre, touring sensation Lance Lipinsky brings his high-wire talents to Galesburg's Ohnward Fine Arts Center in the March 24 concert event Rock Baby Rock, an explosive, piano-pumping performance showcasing musical influences of the 1940s, '50s, and '60s.
A native of Wimberley, Texas, Lipinsky learned to play his first song on guitar at age 11 and was an accomplished pianist by 15, and in the nine years since, has toured throughout Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan. After settling in Chicago, the artist joined the cast of Million Dollar Baby and began performing area engagements with his ensemble Lance & the Lovers. And in 2016, Lipinsky and his fellow musicians debuted the original stage show Rock Baby Rock, a celebration of big band music, R&B, Western swing, rockabilly, doo-wop, soul, surf, and British Invasion Tunes presented in chronological order and exploring an era in which music defined and helped shape history.
Rock Baby Rock has been the subsequent beneficiary of sensational reviews, including this rave from ChicagoConcertReviews.com: “Between [Lipinsky's] jaw-dropping skills and just-as-pristine performances from all the accompanists, Rock Baby Rock is destined to delight not only Million Dollar Quartet appreciators, but much of the era it surrounded. And with so many chestnuts from that golden era to choose from, coupled with everyone’s pliable proficiency, there’s also the potential for ongoing evolution, which will likely mean a fruitful run for this cracked-open time capsule on steroids.”
Rock Baby Rock boasts a performance by special guest Everett Dean, tickets are $13-25, and more information and reservations are available by calling (563)652-9815 or visiting OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
