Dana-Thomas House: Made for Music Featuring Fiddle-Sax Fusion Band

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and numerous community partners are excited to announce another performance in the popular Made for Music concert series at the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site. The next concert features The Fiddle-Sax Fusion Band and is scheduled for Thursday, November 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The ticket is a suggested donation of $10.

Seating is limited. Reservations are required and can be made on this page, online at historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov or by calling 217-782-6776.

The Fiddle-Sax Fusion Band consists of Illinois State Fiddle Champion Jessie Stark and Brian Stark, who is Jazz Ensemble Director and Saxophone Instructor at UIS and also teaches classes at Lincoln Land Community College. They have forged a lively and lighthearted mix of jazzy interpretations of songs from American, Irish, and Eastern European fiddle traditions that can be heard on their recent independent CD release, Grumbling Growling and Other Pandemic Breakdowns. In addition to an album release tour in Summer 2022 they have also appeared at the Bean Blossom IN Music Series, the CU Folk and Roots Festival, LLCC Multicultural Week, and the upcoming Biennial Conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance.

The Made for Music community partnership consists of the University of Illinois School of Music, NPR Illinois, Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Dana-Thomas House features several performance balconies and other architectural features that make it an ideal location for musical performances. The concerts, which will pilot this year and follow a full schedule in 2023, aim to enrich the community by showcasing an array inspiring musical performances in world-class architecture.

The Dana-Thomas House, built between 1902 and 1904, is one of the largest and best-preserved of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie Style” homes, with more than 400 pieces of specially made art glass and original furniture. The Dana-Thomas House is open daily for tours. Tour reservations are encouraged and can be made at danathomashousetours.eventbrite.com.

Venue Information

The Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site was designed and built between 1902 and 1904 by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The performance will take place in the gallery/studio of the home, originally designed as a place for homeowner Susan Lawrence Dana to welcome the community for arts programming. Please note that stairs are required to access this room.

Parking

Free parking is available in the lot at the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Lawrence Avenue (former YMCA parking lot), directly across the street from the house.

Tours

Guided tours of the Dana-Thomas House are available daily; reservations are encouraged. More information and reservations are available at danathomashousetours.eventbrite.com

Check out the photo below from our last Made for Music program!