Upcoming Concerts

Blue Jean Gala 2013

Reception & Ticket Information

The Old Town School's annual benefit features the renowned talents of Alison Krauss & Dan Tyminski, along with a solo set by Country Music Hall of Famer Kris Kristofferson.This will be a once in a lifetime event!

Please join us for this special benefit to support Old Town School programming throughout the year.

Premium $500 tickets include the concert and roaming feast.

A limited number of concert-only tickets are now available for $300. Use the code SHOWONLY during checkout to purchase concert-only tickets.

All tickets will be held at will call for pickup when you check in the night of the Gala.

Evening Time Line

5:45 PM: Registration at 4544 North Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
6:00 - 7:30 PM: Roaming Lincoln Square Feast and Sealed Bid Auction
Stops include: Bistro Campagne, DueLire, Fork, Gather, and La Bocca Della Verita
7:30- 8:00 PM: Jim and Kay Mabie Gallery Pre-Concert Reception
8:00 PM: Concert begins with Kris Kristofferson, Sealed Bid Auction Closes
9:05 PM: Intermission Reception in the Jim and Kay Mabie Gallery with Complimentary Beverages
9:20 PM: Concert Resumes with Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski

Parking
Parking is located at Standard Parking Ravenswood, 4501 N. Damen Avenue (between Sunnyside Avenue & Wilson Avenue) Cost is $6 for the evening. Complimentary trolleys will be provided to take concertgoers to the Old Town School and back to the parking lot. The last trolley will depart from the Old Town School 30 minutes after the concert ends.

Restaurant Information

Bistro Campagne
4518 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
Bistro Campagne is a warm and friendly neighborhood restaurant in the tradition of a true French bistro that strives to capture and express that ephemeral quality found in favorite small neighborhood bistros in Paris and rural France: the sense of welcome, ease, fun conversation & of course excellent food.

DueLire Vino & Cucina
4520 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
DueLire's dynamic menu highlights authentic Italian recipes made with seasonal and local ingredients with a contemporary twist.

Fork
4600 North Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
This neighborhood gastro pub and wine bar offers contemporary American cuisine with over 30 wines and 150 Craft Beers.

Gather
4539 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
Gather blends the best of European wine culture with the ease of American style and has created a natural setting where friends and family come to gather and share amazing hospitality, delicious food, superb wine, and good company.

La Bocca Della Verita
4618 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
Offering traditional specialties and original cuisine, La Bocca della Verita is proud to serve real Italian food with grace and style, never compromising on quality offering both classic and modern choices, all made from authentic ingredients.

Sealed Bid Auction Items

1. Don't Fret! This Autographed Guitar Could Be Yours
Alison Krauss and her longtime Union Station cohort, guitarist Dan Tyminski have signed this beautiful Martin DCPA4 - Rosewood. From her start as a child prodigy in the '80s, to her fresh take on bluegrass in the '90s, to her recent platinum, Grammy-winning collaboration with Robert Plant, Alison Krauss has been a world-renowned face and voice of traditional American music for over 25 years. Dan Tyminski is also known for providing the singing voice for George Clooney in the Coen Brother?s film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Minimum Bid: $1,400

2. Up-close and Personal
Bid on this amazing opportunity to meet Alison Krauss, the most awarded female artist in Grammy history. You and a guest will be invited to join an intimate meet and greet opportunity with Alison following her Blue Jean Gala performance. Priceless

3. Wrote "Me and Bobby McGee." Starred with Barbra Streisand. Signed this for you.
Own this amazing Martin DCPA4 guitar signed by singer-songwriter icon, Country Music Hall of Famer, and now Old Town School friend Kris Kristofferson. Channel your inner star! With achievements ranging from Golden Gloves boxer, Rhodes scholar, college football player, military officer, and helicopter pilot, he is also the Grammy-winning author of several hit songs, most notably "Me and Bobby McGee," a Golden Globe award winning actor for A Star Is Born, and a former member of The Highwaymen alongside Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. Minimum Bid: $1,200

4. See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me, Bid on Me!
The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard pinball machine signed by Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and John Entwistle. This unique piece of music history was signed in 1997 at a Who concert at the New World Music Theatre. Be the winning bidder and enjoy true Pinball Wizard status (winner must make shipping arrangements within 30 days and is responsible for all shipping charges). Minimum Bid: $4,300

5. You Couldn't "Pick" A Better Banjo
Dr. Ralph Stanley is long revered by enthusiasts of folk, bluegrass and country music, and he has the multiple Grammys to prove it. The good Doctor signed this Gold Tone BG-250F and concert poster after a February 2013 performance at the Old Town School. With a unique vocal style this Grand Ol' Opry inductee and National Medal of Arts winner and living bluegrass legend still tours and performs with the vigor of a rock star. ?The supreme icon of authenticity in American vernacular music.? Minimum Bid: $1,280

6. Something to Bragg About
The Bard of Barking himself, the inimitable and indefatigable Billy Bragg, signed this Bristol BM-16 guitar after his 2012 Old Town School performance. Own this and own a little bit of Old Town history as this guitar, before being signed, was a practice guitar that passed through the hands of many Old Town School teachers who brought its voice to classrooms and jam sessions. Minimum Bid: $200

7. He Shall Be Levon
Own a piece of music history. Music legend Levon Helm from The Band brought his famous "Midnight Ramble" sessions to the Old Town School for two sold out Blue Jean Gala performances in 2012. After the performance he signed the Gala program. Helm passed away April 19, 2012, just weeks after his Old Town School performance. Priceless

8. From the Grand Ole Opry to your party!
Enjoy a private concert by famed bluegrass band The Special Consensus. Grammy nominated in 2012 for best bluegrass album "Scratch Gravel Road." Led by renowned banjo player (and Old Town School teacher) Greg Cahill, this four person acoustic bluegrass band has played for audiences around the world ? and now they will perform a concert for you! (Some restrictions apply, see Gala concierge in the lobby for assistance.) Minimum Bid: $3,000

9. Old Town School Sampler
You and up to 7 friends can enjoy a customized series of four Old Town School of Folk Music signature workshops. Workshops meet once a week on a day and time of your choice, balanced with teacher and room availability. Each session will include one hour of instruction and 30 minutes of complimentary refreshments. Sampler classes can be selected from options such as vocal music, songwriting, dance, harmonica, percussion, and more. Each day a different experience! Come sample Old Town School and discover your newest passion (must be used before April 30, 2014). Minimum Bid: $600

10. Be An Old Town School Hero
R. Crumb was known for his passion for music and his work as an illustrator. All those who collect his work prize the Heroes of the Blues, Early Jazz Greats, and Pioneers of Country Music trading card sets he created in the 1980s. We honor R. Crumb's work in the new Old Town School building with permanently installed glass panels featuring a selection of his illustrations. Be the winning bidder and add a duplicate of one of these amazing panels to your art collection. A copy of his book, R. Crumb's Heroes of Blues, Jazz & Country, which packages all of his illustrations, and a 21-track CD of music selected by R. Crumb himself, are included in this "Heroes" package. Priceless

11. You'll Be Served
Old Town School's very own Jamie "The Chairman" Rachlin, and Bau "The Big Cheese" Graves, will join forces and serve you and your guests a private pre-concert dinner at the School catered by one of our amazing partner restaurants. Your group of 10 will then move to the concert hall for one of our fabulous concerts. Our top notch development staff will work with you to determine a date and menu. Minimum Bid: $1,000

Sealed Bid Rules

• Write your maximum bid on the cards provided. (Bids will be accepted on the bid cards only)
• Place your bid in the designated bid box by 8:00 PM. Bid boxes are located at each restaurant and at the auction table in the lobby.
• Bids will not be accepted or collected in the concert hall.
• The winning bidders will be announced after intermission.
• In the event of a tie, a blind drawing will take place between the tied bids.
• The winner will be required to furnish their name, address and phone number.
• Auction items may be picked up immediately following the concert.