Jan. 19-20: Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah at the Auditorium Theater, Chicago Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday with the 8th annual Too Hot To Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah starring the operatic voices of Rodrick Dixon (photo), Alfreda Burke and Karen Marie Richardson. The all-American reinvention of Handel's Messiah, which blends classical with jazz, gospel and blues music, will be performed by a 200-piece orchestra and choir of Chicago's finest musicians and vocalists, directed by Bill Fraher and Suzanne Mallare Acton.

Jan. 14: Blue Monday Series w/ Erwin Helfer, John Brumbach, Katherine Davis & special guests at Katerina’s, Chicago.

Jan. 15: Big James & the Chicago Playboys at City Winery, Chicago

Joe Filisko at Harlem Ave. Lounge, Berwyn

Jan. 16: Lynne Jordan’s tribute to Nina Simone at City Winery, Chicago

Jan. 17: Buddy Guy, Corey Dennison at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Chgo.

Studebaker John, Chicago Blues All-Stars at House of Blues, Chgo

Quintus McCormick at Shaw’s, Chgo

Jan. 18: Booker T. Jones at SPACE, Evanston

Funky Mojodaddy at Rosa’s, Chgo

Keith Scott at Reggie’s, Chgo

Joel Paterson & Modern Sounds at Katerina’s, Chgo

Harlan Tersen Blues Quartet at Smoke Daddy, Chgo

Willie “The Touch” Hayes Band at Harlem Ave. Lounge, Berwyn

The Moods at Venuti’s, Addison

Smilin' Bobby & Claudette Miller at The Waterhole, Chgo.  Tel: 312-243-7988

Jan. 18-19: Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials at B.L.U.E.S., Chgo

Magic Slim, Joanna Connor at Kingston Mines, Chgo

Charlie Love & the Silky Smooth Blues Band w/ Laretha Weathersby at Blue Chicago, Chgo

Jan. 19: Ronnie Baker Brooks birthday bash at Beverly Arts Center, Chgo

Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater BD bash at SPACE, Evanston

Alex Wilson Band at Shaw’s, Schaumburg

Dave Herrero at Nick's Beer Garden, Chgo

Downtown Charlie Brown Blues Band at French Quarter New Orleans Kitchen, Lombard

 Jan. 19-20:  Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah at the Auditorium Theater, Chgo

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