Beginning at 7PM Thurs., June 26, the Pete Ellman Big Band will host a benefit for Naperville's KidsMatter at Mullen's in Lisle.
The weekly Thursday evening performance will open with a jazz quintet from Benet Academy, followed by soprano and Naperville North graduate Kristina Belgio and local actor/singer Elic Bramlett. This week's performers will play to raise awareness and funds for KidsMatter's Anti-drug education initiative ParentsMatter Too.
Belgio and Bramlett will offer show tunes and standards from the American Songbook.
Belgio, also a graduate of Illinois State University with a BA in Theatre and Theatre Management, is currently Front of the House Manger at Chicago's Goodman Theatre and Production Manager for KidsMatters' annual Ignite the Nite benefit concert.
Bramlett is a professional actor, writer, director and educator who has appeared in a number of feature films and commercials as well as portraying Wolfgang Mozart in the Classical Kids production of "Mozart's Magnificent Voyage," most recently at the Kennedy Center. He is Artistic Director of Epic Theatre Company and Associate Artistic Director of Community Christian Church. Bramlett is Director of Ignite the Nite.
Admission to Mullen's is free and a 50/50 raffle will be held for KidsMatter.
The Pete Ellman Big Band and featured performers will take the stage from 8 to 10PM.
The Pete Ellman Big Band is a nonprofit company dedicated to big band jazz. Since its inception about five years ago, the Pete Ellman Big Band has been performing regularly for many good causes, including scheduling times during the school year to play with jazz ensembles and bands from area middle schools and high schools. Pete Ellman is co-owner and vice-president of Ellman’s Music Center.
Also of note, when the Pete Ellman Big Band performs for special events, money also is raised to benefit The Gil Ellman Memorial Fund, a fund created in the memory of Ellman’s father to help local students who cannot afford a musical instrument.
Mullen's Bar and Grill is located at 3080 Warrenville Road at Naperville Road.