The Union announces spring 2008 music/art/film schedule.
March 21, 2008–– Acoustic singer/songwriters Justin McRoberts and Mitch McVicker hit town March 28 to kick off the spring 2008 music, film and art series at The Union, the downtown Naperville venue sponsored by the North Central College Christian Life Council that draws regular Friday night college-age crowds for spiritually significant music, film and art.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with how the spring lineup has come together,” said North Central College Director of Ministry and Service Jeremy Gudauskas, calling it “a weekly dose of music, film and art that will spark your heart and stir your soul.”
On March 28, San Franciscan McRoberts returns to The Union for the album release show for his new project “Deconstruction,” while Georgia-based McVicker brings along his bandmates to perform songs from his newly released album “Love will Rise.” The rest of The Union’s spring schedule brings:
* April 4: The Listening. The Union is delighted to have this band back for a third show with a new lease on life (and a van) after a near-death rollover accident after its last visit. Originally from Portland, Oregon, the Listening brings its amazing live experience to The Union fronted by sonic genius Gabriel Wilson. The band blends introspective lyrics with layers of psychedelic soundscapes—think Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Sigur Ros, but The Listening is more than a sum of its influences.
* April 11: Andrew Osgena, Jeremy Casella and Eric Peters, a trio of singer-songwriter friends from Nashville’s Square Peg Alliance. Osenga, currently with Caedmon’s Call and formerly of The Normals, brings his guitar-driven folk-rock back to The Union. Casella rides in on the tails of his highly acclaimed “disassembled acoustic folk-tronica” 2007 album “RCVRY,” and Peters joins in with his well-crafted songs and acoustic guitar.
* April 12: Intersection 2008. The Union hosts a morning kick-off rally and evening celebration for volunteers taking part in Intersection 2008, a daylong community service project benefiting five Naperville and Aurora social service agencies. For more information and to register, visit www.oneintersection.com.
* April 18: The Fold. The Chicago rock phenoms on Tooth and Nail Records perform fresh off their first European tour and a Grammy nomination for 2007’s “Secrets Keep You Sick.”
* April 25: Local Music Showcase.
* May 2: Film screening.
* May 9: Josh Garrels, with Ben Thomas and featuring Hear Us! Several of The Union’s most captivating performance moments have been courtesy of the Indianapolis-based Garrels. His unique blend of folk, hip-hop and electronic elements combine with passionate vocal delivery to create a fresh and deep musical experience. At work on a new album, Garrels returns to The Union for his third visit. Also appearing are local favorite Ben Thomas and a noteworthy campaign called Hear Us! featuring Diane Nilan, a leading national advocate for homeless youth.
* May 16: Local Art Showcase. Submissions wanted! The Union will transform its space into an art gallery to showcase original works from local artists. Contact The Union to submit paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, ceramics and more.
* May 23: The Union is taking suggestions for live performance picks to close out its spring series—“pending availability, budget and if we like them, too,” Gudauskas says. To display original works at the May 16 showcase, submit suggestions for the May 23 show and for times and ticket prices for all shows, visit The Union online or call Gudauskas at 630-637-5417.
Check out audio, video and images from past shows at the site and The Union on YouTube, and visit The Union at MySpace.
Local and nationally known musicians, filmmakers and artists visit and perform at The Union on Friday nights throughout the fall, winter and spring. Sponsored by The Christian Life Council at North Central College, The Union is a venue for spiritually significant expressions of music, film and art located in downtown Naperville. It is also a network of like-minded individuals, organizations and churches who work to build friendships, partnerships and collaboration among area ministries.
The Union is located at 129 W. Benton Ave., 1.5 blocks west of Washington Street and four blocks from North Central College and the downtown Naperville Metra stop.
About North Central College
Founded in 1861, North Central College is an independent, comprehensive college of the liberal arts and sciences that offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and graduate programming in six areas. Located in the historic district of Naperville, Illinois, which was rated by Money magazine as the nation’s second “best place to live,” North Central College is just 30 minutes from Chicago’s Loop. With more than 2,000 full-time undergraduates and nearly 550 part-time undergraduate and graduate students, North Central College is committed to academic excellence, a climate that emphasizes leadership, ethics, values and service, a curriculum that balances job-related knowledge with a liberal arts foundation and a caring environment with small classes.
North Central College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is recognized as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report; ranked as “a college for high-achieving students” by Peterson’s Competitive Colleges; and among a select number of schools profiled in Kaplan’s Unofficial Insider’s Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges.
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