Willy Porter to take 'CenterStage at ECC

Willy Porter will heat up the stage when Elgin Community College's The Club on CenterStage series hosts this contemporary acoustic guitarist and vocalist at 8 p.m. Jan. 11-12 in the SecondSpace Theatre at ECC's Visual and Performing Arts Center.

Kick back and enjoy an up-close and personal performance of Porter's extraordinary blend of acoustic guitar with elements of everything from rock to funk to folk.

Porter began his career by selling copies of his debut album out of the trunk of his car in 1990. Since then, Porter has juggled labels and flirted with mainstream success, while his music has remained compelling.

Porter has toured with the likes of Tori Amos, Paul Simon, Sting, Jeff Beck and the Cranberries.

At the end of 2005, frustration with the music industry led Porter to start his own label, Weasel Records, which released his latest album, "Available Light."

Concert tickets are $25. For an additional $17, patrons can purchase the dinner and concert package, which includes a three-course meal prepared by students of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Institute of Elgin at ECC.

Tickets are now available online at www.elgin.edu/arts or at the ECC box office in the Arts Center. Box office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To purchase tickets by phone, call (847) 622-0300. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted.

For details about the ECC Arts Center's season, visit www.elgin.edu/arts.