Brucemore's sophisticated and saucy nightclub event, Cabaret in the Courtyard, will showcase nationally-recognized talent from Eastern Iowa during two back-to-back weekends, August 8 - 10 and 15 - 17 at 7:30 p.m. Since 2003, the lovely ambience of the historic courtyard has been magically transformed into a cabaret club with tables, chairs, twinkling lights, and stars on the stage and in the sky.
The first weekend, August 8 - 10, features Sidney Wingfield, Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School alumnus and current resident of Sarasota, Florida. After attending the University of North Dakota on a basketball scholarship, Sid began a musical career that would eventually lead to a 2001 induction into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. An introduction and opportunity to tour Europe with Luther Allison brought him in contact with other musical legends?Muddy Waters, Albert Collins, and B.B. King, to name a few. Beyond performing at Brucemore's Cabaret in the Courtyard in 2004, Sid has performed on European cruises, as well as at the Chicago Blues Festival, Mardi Gras, Milwaukee Summerfest, and more. While notorious for playing locally at the former Piano Lounge, Sid is world-renowned for his boogie-woogie piano solos and mood-inducing organ playing. Sid guarantees the party of the year by fulfilling spontaneous requests in all genres, leading sing-alongs of dueling piano favorites, and an evening of high-energy entertaining.
The second weekend, August 15 - 17, features Chase Garrett, Iowa City native and current resident of New York City. Chase began playing piano at age nine and by seventeen was performing professionally across the United States. In his travels, he has shared the stage with some of today's most influential blues, boogie woogie, and jazz pianists including Axel Zwingenberger, Michael Kaeshammer, and James Goodwin. He is as much of a performer as he is a preservationist, teacher, and producer. He has brought world-class pianists to the Englert Theatre in Iowa City for his annual "Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Stomp" and has taught at blues and swing festivals across the country. Voted the "Star of Tomorrow" in Brucemore's 2009 Cabaret in the Courtyard competition and "Best Local Act" by the Daily Iowan in 2011, audiences will hear a mixture of original and chart songs ranging in musical style from Chicago blues and boogie woogie to Kansas City Swing and New York Jazz.
Advance tickets are $20 per person and $18 per Brucemore member. All tickets are $25 at the gate (if available). Space is limited; please call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org to purchase tickets. Individuals reserving five or more advance tickets will have tables reserved under their name. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 7:00 p.m. On-site parking is available. Patrons are encouraged to bring their favorite beverages, but no food is allowed. Cabaret in the Courtyard is sponsored by Bankers Trust, Novak Design Group, and Corridor Business Journal.
Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families. Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community. For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.
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