Battlefield Ballads and Parrots of the Caribbean in the Southland

Chicago Heights

It’s hot. Maybe it’s way cool. Definitely it’s phenomenal. The Prairie State College Annual Jazz Fest Concert returns this month for its 23rd year.

In addition to the superb PSC Jazz Band directed by Valerie Nicholson, this jazzapalooza brings five mega jazz stars to the intimate PSC auditorium.

Chicago’s legendary Orbert Davis on trumpet, stand-up bass player extraordinaire Larry Gray (passionate about and with his double bass), PSC’s pianist-professor- jazz celebrity Nicholson, New Orleans sax star Ed Petersen and Chicagoland’s Joel Spencer on killer drums come together for this once-a-year performance on a stage so close you can almost touch it.

I’m not exaggerating, and only death would keep me away from this event.

If you enjoy jazz, treat yourself to a most inexpensive ticket, then sit back and enjoy. If you do go, please let me know what you think.

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18
Where: , 202 S. Halsted St. West side parking provides easy access.
Cost: $12, $8 for students and seniors
Tickets and information: 708-709-3500 and at the door

Battlefield Balladeers perform music from the Civil War, including songs written for the war, popular music of the time, Stephen Foster favorites and more in a most unusual concert/history event at the Mokena Public Library.

Veteran acoustic folk artist and Civil War re-enactor David Corbett of Battlefield Balladeers said, "We decided to combine twin passions of history and music to create a musical act that would fill a void for history-related events.

"We introduce each song with a historic quote or reason why the song was important and/or popular," Corbett said.

He said the balladeers want audiences to involve themselves in the program as they listen to and pay tribute to American music.

Corbett said he has a "core group" of co-artists but added, "I never know who might show up."

When: 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 19
Where: , 11327 W. 195th St.
Cost: Free
Tickets and information: 708-479-9684 and www.mokena.lib.il.us

Attention Parrotheads!

Parrots of the Caribbean bring their Jimmy Buffett and Coral Reefer Band tribute to Joliet, with all the flip-flop trimmings, party included. All that and more are just a short ride from Interstate 80 in downtown Joliet.

When: Party starts at 5 p.m., show at 7 p.m., Feb. 19
Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 15 E. Van Buren St., Joliet
Cost: $40 to $50
Tickets and information: 815-726-7171 and www.rialtosquare.com

At some point in their lives, many people suddenly sense they are unfulfilled, and a local artist has tackled that discovery in her exhibit aptly titled Unfulfilled.

Chicago Heights-based Diane McGarel’s artist’s statement notes, “While working on the exhibition Journey to Fulfillment, I began to realize one can never be completely fulfilled.”

McGarel will talk about her exploration of the concept of fulfillment next week and how she has focused her gallery exhibit on the concept.

Her program originally was scheduled for earlier this month, but the blizzard got in the way. Weather should not be troublesome this weekend.

When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 20
Where: , 7851 Timber Drive (meeting rooms A and B)
Cost: Free, reservations suggested.
Tickets and information: 708-532-9160, ext. 3

The legendary Second City tour company continues the unofficial improv and skit comedy weekend with its often biting and always satirical but oh-so-funny look at the world in Fair & Unbalanced at Carl Sandburg High School.

Amos Alonzo Stagg High School senior Micki Burton, a Second City Teen Ensemble member, will perform with the pros at the end of the performance.

Tickets have been on sale for weeks so if you plan to go, SouthScene suggests you act quickly.

When: 7 p.m. Feb. 26
Where: , 13300 S. La Grange Road
Cost: $20, $15 students and seniors
Tickets and information: 708-745-5222