'The Rat Pack' brings Vegas to Hemmens
Former Batavia resident Nicholas Brooks plays Sammy Davis Jr. in "Direct From Vegas: The Rat Pack," today at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The 27-year-old, who has spent the last few years performing in Las Vegas, joins Steve Apple, who plays Dean Martin and Gary Corsello, who plays Frank Sinatra in a tribute to the crooners. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $55. They're available at the box office or by phone at (847) 031-5900.
Chicago Tentet returns. Five of Chicago's acclaimed jazz improvisers make up half of reedman Peter Brötzmann's Chicago Tentet, which celebrates its 10th anniversary with a performance Saturday at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago.
Brötzmann assembled the group (originally an octet) in Chicago in 1997 for a one-night only concert showcasing the city's best improvisers. But one night wasn't enough for the German jazzman. He expanded the group to 10 and began touring Europe and North America. Abandoning arranged scores in 2005, the group has operated as a totally improvisational ensemble ever since.
Chicago members include trombonist Jeb Bishop, bassist Kent Kessler; cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, reed player Ken Vandermark and drummer Michael Zerang. The international contingent includes reed player Johannes Bauer from Germany, saxophonist Mats Gustafsson from Sweden, tuba player Per-Âke Holmlander from Norway, trumpet player Joe McPhee from the United States, drummer Paal Nilssen-Love from Sweden and Brötzmann himself.
The concert begins at 9 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $20 and are available at the MCA box office at (312) 397-4010 or online at www.mcachicago.org.
Holiday memories. The "Play On Cabaret" series goes nostalgic when singer Dan Ferris and pianist Joe Vito celebrate the season in song Wednesday at the Nancy Goldberg International Center, 24 E. Goethe St., Chicago.
Dubbed "Holiday 'In': Christmas Music You Grew Up With," this Boomer-centric show features classics from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "White Christmas," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and other seasonal favorites. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. They're available by phone at (312) 744-1423 or online at reservations @maximschicago.org.
Club notes: Easy Bar at 1944 W. Division St., Chicago celebrates its first anniversary with $1 drinks from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday. The selection includes Jameson, Stoli and Millers products. Selections will change hourly. (773) 227-4644.
• Finn McCool's weekly karaoke contest continues from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesdays at the bar located at 15 W. Division St., Chicago. The finale takes place Dec. 19 with the winner snagging $300, $100 for second place and $50 each for the third and fourth place finishers. (312) 337-4349.