Waubonsee Community College will host a free spring jazz series featuring art and live music performed by Waubonsee students and faculty, as well as other middle schools, high schools, colleges and professional musicians. The series will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the college’s Aurora Downtown Campus, 18 S. River St.
This free, family-friendly event is open to the public and is held in conjunction with Aurora Downtown’s First Fridays.
“We are thrilled to host a series where live music and art collide, offering an artistic outlet to celebrate all that spring represents: beauty and growth,” said Dr. Ruth Ann Refeldt, dean of visual and performing arts, education and sciences.
Music and art lovers of all ages will enjoy a special evening of musical performances by the Oswego East High School Jazz Band and the Waubonsee Jazz Combo. There will also be a potter’s wheel throwing demonstration. A collection of unique pottery designed by students in Waubonsee’s Pottery Club will be on display.
William Estrada, a visiting artist who works with community art projects, will help attendees make their own silkscreen t-shirts from 6 to 8 p.m. Silkscreen t-shirts will be available while supplies last.
On Saturday, Feb. 11, the jazz series will move to the college’s Sugar Grove Campus Auditorium with a full-on “Jazz Day” from 2 to 8 p.m., featuring Illinois State University’s Jazz Combo I and Jazz Ensemble I and a member of the Waubonsee faculty and guest saxophonist Matt Muneses. Attendees will hear a wide variety of musical compositions performed by Waubonsee’s Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble and the Kaneland Harter Middle School Jazz Ensemble.
On Saturday, April 15, audiences will be inspired by the earthy rhythms and electronic sounds of the Mösching Quartet at the Sugar Grove Campus Auditorium. Waubonsee faculty member and lead saxophonist, Samuel Mösching, will join some of Chicago’s finest musicians for this free evening performance.
On Friday, May 5, the Spring Jazz Series continues with a live performance by the Lenard Simpson III Quartet, art and an evening of education and fun during First Fridays at Aurora Downtown.
To learn more about the Spring Jazz Series and other arts and music events at Waubonsee, visit calendar.waubonsee.edu/humanities.
Waubonsee continually strives to provide enriching opportunities for area residents to study art and music. Courses are available for credit as well as for personal enrichment. Some art classes are offered in a 12 or 8 week format with classes starting on February 13th. Visit waubonsee.edu/arts to learn more and register for classes.