Rock, comedy, Broadway, jazz and gospel lineup builds on growing momentum for ECPA 

ELMHURST, Ill. — Building on the momentum of its popular An Intimate Evening With series, Encore Center for Performing Arts (ECPA) has announced three performances for 2027, bringing rock, comedy, Broadway, jazz, gospel and classical music to Elmhurst.

The 2027 lineup features Elmhurst favorite and Grammy-nominated rocker Cathy Richardson; the high-energy performers of Comedy Dance Chicago; and acclaimed vocalists Rodrick Dixon and Alfreda Burke with the Jo Ann Daugherty Trio.

“We’ve seen the excitement around these performances continue to grow, and we’re thrilled to build on that in 2027,” said ECPA President Dr. Mark George. “This series gives our community a glimpse of the experiences we envision bringing to our permanent home. Imagine what becomes possible when we have a stage of our own.”

“Cathy Richardson Band is thrilled to be part of the An Intimate Evening With series, and we intend to rock the house on January 23,” said Cathy Richardson, an ECPA board member. “It’s the perfect way to celebrate the band’s 35th anniversary in my hometown while supporting a mission that’s near and dear to my heart.”

Designed to create a closer connection between audiences and artists, An Intimate Evening With offers unique opportunities to experience performances in smaller settings and, in many cases, interact with and meet the artists. The series also creates opportunities for students and emerging artists to share the stage with accomplished performers, gaining valuable exposure, education and experience.

The 2027 lineup builds on a series that has already brought nationally recognized artists and acclaimed performers to Elmhurst, including Jim Peterik of The Ides of March, Broadway performers Matt Bogart and Miguel Cervantes, Plain White T’s, Visceral Dance Chicago, Third Coast Percussion and Freedom Sings USA.

Cathy Richardson Band
Saturday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m.
Hammerschmidt Chapel, Elmhurst University

Cathy Richardson is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer who has spent over three decades earning a reputation as one of rock’s strongest voices. A longtime resident of Elmhurst, Richardson has fronted the legendary Jefferson Starship since 2008, following in the footsteps of Grace Slick. With Cathy Richardson Band, she is backed by standout musicians including Elmhurst-based fiddler Anne Harris and Jefferson Starship guitarist Jude Gold, blending rock, blues and psychedelic influences with Richardson’s powerhouse vocals. Her 2027 appearance marks a homecoming for an artist whose roots run deep in Elmhurst.

Comedy Dance Chicago
Thursday, April 8, 7 p.m.
Buick Hall, Elmhurst University

Comedy Dance Chicago is a one-of-a-kind live performance company that blends sketch comedy, physical humor and high-energy dance into an unforgettable show for audiences of all ages. Born out of a Second City Training Center class in 2014, the ensemble has spent more than a decade delighting crowds with joyful, relatable sketches, from the importance of a good hug to a good old-fashioned staring contest, often pulling audience members right into the fun.

Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke and the Jo Ann Daugherty Trio
Saturday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road

Vocalists Rodrick Dixon and Alfreda Burke team up with the Jo Ann Daugherty Trio for an exciting evening of Broadway, jazz, gospel and classical music. Married in life and onstage, Dixon and Burke are among Chicago’s most sought-after vocalists. Known for their versatility, the duo has appeared in the PBS special “Hallelujah Broadway” and performed in “Too Hot to Handel” at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. Acclaimed pianist, composer and recording artist Jo Ann Daugherty has performed around the world, including at the Kennedy Center and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Together, the ensemble will showcase an extraordinary range of music spanning opera, Broadway, gospel and jazz.

Tickets for ECPA’s 2027 An Intimate Evening With series are on sale now. Season passes are available for $150 for all three performances, with VIP season passes available for $370. Student tickets are also available for $25 per performance. Season passes can be purchased through the Cathy Richardson Band event page. For tickets and additional information, visit encorepresents.org/upcoming-events.

Encore Center for Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization working to establish a premier cultural destination that attracts world-class artists, expands access to the performing arts and fuels the cultural and economic vitality of Elmhurst and Chicago’s western suburbs. Each performance also brings ECPA closer to its larger vision: creating a permanent home where artists, audiences and the community can come together year-round. For more information about ECPA, to support its mission or learn about volunteer opportunities, visit encorepresents.org or contact [email protected].