Dixieland music meets Czech

Traditional Dixieland music will get a Czech spin, when a group of young musicians from the Czech Republic perform their interpretation of the American standard.

The Junior Dixieland Band, from the resort town of Marianske Lazne in the Czech Republic, will perform one night only in Arlington Heights, at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 110 W. Campbell St. in Arlington Heights.

Admission is free.

The rare chance to hear the award-winning band, whose musicians range from 12-20 years old, comes by way of an outreach by the Czech Ministry of Education, who sponsored a similar concert tour two years ago to Australia.

Sponsorship for this year's trip include the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, the Czechoslovak American Congress, and the Prague-Chicago Sister Cities International Committee.

Local attorney George Drost serves on the Prague Sister Cities Committee, and he suggested Arlington Heights as a location for one of the band's performances.

The only other venue the band will play is at the Bohemian National Cemetery on Chicago's North Side on Aug. 3.

"It was a great opportunity to bring in young, aspiring and talented artists from a different culture," Drost says. "How they came to concentrate on Dixieland music, I have no idea. But I do know that they have a great affection for all things American."

While Dixieland music originated in New Orleans around 1910, with its mix of jazz, brass marches, ragtime and the blues, this concert will feature a varied repertoire that also will include music by Czech composers.

As it is, their instruments range from traditional brass instruments, to a washboard, sousaphone and violinophone, that combined make for an energetic performance, Drost says.

Band members, as well as their director, Bedrich Smrcka and interpreter, are staying with host families, while they immerse themselves in the Chicago and Northwest suburban visit.

"The timing was good, because the Metropolis had an open night," Drost adds. "But how can you beat it? They're award winning, coming from a different culture - and it's free."

Reserve tickets by calling (847) 577-2121, or visit www.metropolisarts.com.