Arts and entertainment calendar for Jan. 26

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Updated: January 24, 2012 9:06PM

Stage

“Courting Vampires,” through Feb. 12 at Clockwise Theatre, 221 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Curtain at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $16.50. Call (847) 775-1500 or visit www.clockisetheatre.org.

“David and Lisa” will be presented by Kirk Players in collaboration with Mundelein High School’s drama department at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2-3; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 in the school’s theatre, Haley and Midlothian roads, Mundelein. Tickets: $14; $12 students and senior citizens; $7 for children under 12. Visit www.kirkplayers.org or call (847) 521-6192.

“The Foreigner” will be presented by Theater D at 8 p.m. March 9-10 and 16-17 and 3 p.m. March 11 and 18 at the Patty Turner Center, Deerfield. For tickets, call (847) 945-0650.

“John & Jen” will be presented by Encore Theatre Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 3-4 at the Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church St., Libertyville. Dinner at 6:30 p.m.; performance at 7:30 p.m. $30. Cash bar. Reservations required. For tickets, e-mail encoretheatrelibertyville@gmail.com or call (847) 708-8880. For information, visit www.encoretheatre.net.

“Legally Blonde,” through March 25 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The performance schedule is 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $40-$48, plus tax and handling fees. Discounts available for students and senior citizens. Call (847) 634-0200 or visit www.marriotttheatre.com.

“Sirens,” a romantic comedy starring the husband-and-wife team of Ellen and Scott Phelps, will be presented Feb. 3-March 4 at Citadel Theatre’s West Campus, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Curtain is 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sundays. There will also be a Wednesday matinee at 1 p.m. Feb. 8. Tickets are $35 for Thursday and Sunday performances; $37.50 Fridays and Saturdays. Discounts available for groups, senior citizens and students. Call (847) 735-8554 or visit www.citadeltheatre.org.

“Zora,” an American Place Theatre Literature to Life stage presentation, 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at the College of Lake County’s James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The dramatic biography of Zora Neale Hurston, an African-American writer of the 1930s and celebrated figure from the Harlem Renaissance, is performed by Cheryl Howard. Tickets: $25; $23 senior citizens; $15 teens; $12 children under 12. Visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets or call (847) 543-2300.

Classical

Cook Memorial Library District’s Aspen Drive Library, 701 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. (847) 362-2330. www.cooklib.org. Registration required for all events, unless otherwise noted. Feb. 19, 2 p.m.: Bel Sonore Chamber Ensemble will perform a repertoire ranging from Baroque classics to Duke Ellington.

Early Music at the Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. All concerts are at 4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $15. To order tickets or for more information, call (847) 543-1202. Jan. 29: “British Invasion.” Callipygian Players, featuring Martin Davids, violin, Craig Trompeter, cello, and David Schrader, harpsichord, will perform a concert of music from Great Britain, including works by Henry Eccles, Purcell and Handel. Feb. 26: Amy Conn, soprano, with Trevor Stephenson, fortepiano. March 18: Alison Attar, Stephanie Sheffield and Joel Spears, “La Harpe de Melodie.” April 15: Ensemble Musical Offering, J.S. Bach: “Coffee Cantata.”

The Highland Park Strings, conducted by Francesco Milioto, will present its annual benefit concert, “Distant Borders, Close Connections,” at 3 p.m. Feb. 12 in Bennett-Gordon Hall at Ravinia, Lake-Cook and Green Bay roads, Highland Park. Guest soloists are soprano Michelle Areyzaga and cellist Amit Peled. The program includes works by Villa-Lobos and Victor Herbert, as well as Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor (“New World”). Preconcert lecture by Stephanie Ettelson is at 2 p.m. $40 general admission. For information or tickets, call (847) 831-3622 or visit www.hpstrings.org.

Lake Forest Lyrica presents chamber and choral music in the Lily Reid Holt Memorial Chapel at Lake Forest College, 555 N. Sheridan Road. (847) 735-6170. www.lakeforest.edu/lyrica. $15 at the door; $5 for students. Feb. 26, 3 p.m.: Quintet Attacca presents “Reflections of Paris,” works by Joseph Jongen, Anton Reicha, Jacques Ibert and George Gershwin. April 22, 3 p.m.: Third Coast Percussion presents “American Masters at 100,” works by Owen Clay, John Cage and David Skidmore.

The Met: Live in HD, the Metropolitan Opera’s series of live performance transmissions into movie theaters, including Gurnee Cinemas 20, 6144 Grand Ave., Gurnee; and Lincolnshire 20 plus IMAX, 300 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets are available at the theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. Feb. 11, 11 a.m.: Wagner’s “Gotterdammerung.” Feb. 25, 11:55 a.m.: Verdi’s “Ernani.” April 7, 11 a.m.: Massenet’s “Manon.” April 14, 11:55 a.m.: Verdi’s “La Traviata.”

Pilgrim Chamber Players perform at the Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Tickets: $20; $16 senior citizens; $8 students. (847) 433-0992. www.pilgrimplayers.org. March 18, 3 p.m.: “Guitar Magic.” Guitarist Goran Ivanovic will join a string quartet to perform the Quintet for Guitar and Strings by the Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and works by David Ludwig and Russian composer Anton Arensky.

Pop/folk/jazz

Austin’s Saloon & Eatery, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. (847) 549-1972. www.austinssaloon.com. Music at 10 p.m. unless noted otherwise. Jan. 28: Too White Crew. Feb. 1, 8 p.m.: Black Stone Cherry with Cavo. Feb. 10, 7 p.m.: Testament, Death Angel, Diamond Plate (metal). Feb. 11: Valentine’s Day concert with Jonathan Weppler and the Dave Seabaugh Orchestra. Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.: “A Romantic Evening with the Stars,” starring Ron Hawking. $50; $60 VIP seating. Feb. 18: Mike and Joe. Feb. 24: Losing Scarlet and Blackened. Cook Park Library,

413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. (847) 362-2330. www.cooklib.org. Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m.: Award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Edgar Cruz will perform flamenco, pop and jazz.

Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. (847) 541-4700. www.cubbynorth.com. Shows are at 10 p.m., unless noted otherwise. Jan. 27, 9 p.m.: Dueling Pianos, no cover. Jan. 28: Friction, $6.

Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. (847) 263-6300. www.geneseetheatre.com. For tickets, call (800) 982-2787 or see www.ticketmaster.com. Feb. 10, 8 p.m.: Jeffrey Osborne: An Evening of Love & Soul with special guest Howard Hewett. $38.50-$65.50. Feb. 24, 8 p.m.: Kenny Loggins, $58 and $78. Feb. 25, 7 p.m.: VaShawn Mitchell will headline the 28th annual College of Lake County Salute to Gospel Music. The evening’s theme is “The Evolution of Gospel Music According to Chicago.” Also performing will be Joshua’s Troop, Gospel Music According to Chicago (a 200-voice choir), Arthur Sutton and the Gift of Praise and the CLC Gospel Choir, directed by Charles Clency. The 2012 Harambee Award of Excellence will showcase three gospel legends: Albertina Walker, Delores Barrett Campbell of the famed Barrett Sisters, and songwriter Jessy Dixon. The Brown Sisters will perform a special musical tribute to the Harambee honorees. $19; $17 for senior citizens. March 10, 8 p.m.: Grammy Award-winning musician John Prine. $39.50-$79.50. March 17, 7 p.m.: Bella Cain (country) with special guest Mellencougar (John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band). $10-$35. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a childhood cancer charity.

The Goat Rodeo Sessions Live will be broadcast from the House of Blues Boston at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 to local movie theaters, including Lincolnshire 21 with IMAX, 300 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. Four string virtuosos — cellist Yo-Yo Ma, bluegrass fiddler Stuart Duncan, bassist Edgar Meyer and mandolin player Chris Thile — will perform songs from their collaborative album, “The Goat Rodeo Sessions.” Tickets are available at the theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Grammy Award-winning electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers bring their concert event to local movie theaters, including the Lincolnshire 21 with IMAX, 300 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane. (847) 223-5313. www.grayslake.info. Feb. 12, 2 p.m.: Concert for St. Valentine’s Day, presented by musical duo Sherri and Jason DeRoche. March 11, 2 p.m.: Concert for St. Patrick’s Day, presented by students from Chicago’s Academy of Irish Music.

Lake County Folk Club events are held at 7 p.m. Sundays at Aleks’ Restaurant, 525 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff. Concert admission is $12; $10 for Lake County Folk Club members, students and senior citizens.No admission charge for Open Stage and Song Circle. Reservations encouraged for all concerts; call (847) 271-1584. For information, visit www.thelakecountyfolkclub.org. Jan. 29: Concert Stage features Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Créole (old-style Cajun and African Creole fiddling). Jim Schramm opens. Feb. 12: Open Stage, hosted by Scott Engstrom. Feb. 19: Concert Stage features Michael P. Smith; Sue Fink opens. Feb. 26: Song Circle, hosted by Marcia Krieger. March 18: Mustard’s Retreat; Cath Kasmer opens. April 1: Lee Murdock; Jim Gary opens.

Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. www.viper-alley.com. (866) 463-3401. Shows are for ages 21-plus, unless noted otherwise. Jan. 26, 8 p.m.: Little River Band. Jan. 28, 9 p.m.: Jordan Knight: Live and Unfinished. $35-$50. Feb. 3, 9 p.m.: Arra (classic rock). $10-$15. Feb. 4, 9 p.m.: Fuel (rock). $20-$35. Feb. 22, 7 p.m.: Rehab. March 3, 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.: An Evening with Rachelle Ferrell (contemporary jazz and pop). March 10, 7 p.m.: Lee DeWyze. All-ages show. Tickets start at $20.

Art galleries

Antioch Fine Arts Foundation Gallery, 983 Main St., Antioch. www.antiochfinearts.org. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; noon-4 p.m. Sundays. January: Artwork by junior members of the foundation.A portion of art sales will benefit Save-a-Pet Illinois.

The Art Center Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. (847) 432-1888. www.theartcenterhp.org. Through Jan. 30: “Art is Alive in Highland Park.”

College of Lake County Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Call (847) 543-2240 or visit http://gallery.clcillinois.edu. Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Through Feb. 19: Members Exhibition, featuring a diverse collection of 101 works by artist members of the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art.

Deer Path Art League & Gallery, located in the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. (847) 234-3743. www.deerpathartleague.org. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; Saturdays by appointment. Through Feb. 24: “Art is … A Journey,” an exploration of travel through a variety of media. Featured artists include Rudolph DeRam (photography), Julie Trotter Clark (jewelry), David Dallison (watercolor), Jane D’Angelo (oils), Susan Aurinko (photography) and Laura Kochevar (fiber).

Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Road, Deerfield. (847) 968-3345. www.ryersonwoods.org. Through Feb. 29: “Flora: Photographs by Jessica Tampas,” featuring large-scale images of calla lilies and other plants photographed in a hothouse in rural Michigan.

Undercroft Gallery, located in the lower level of the Christ Episcopal Church, 410 Grand Ave., Waukegan. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, or by appointment at (847) 367-5308. Through Feb. 29: Artist Thom Kapheim will present an interpretive show, “The Door.” Kapheim will explore his thoughts on a common church door in the first 2012 exhibit at the Undercroft. The door that is the basis of the show is an outside entry to the hallway that connects the 1880 portion of Christ Episcopal Church to its turn-of-the-century addition. The process will begin with a display of sketched ideas and proceed in steps as two- and three-dimensional art grows from the sketches, changing from week to week. “Wrapping It Up” celebration will be held from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 18.

Auditions & Opportunities

The Discover National Chamber Music Competition, open to pre-college chamber music groups (strings, winds, piano, vocal) will be held Feb. 19 at Ravinia Festival, Highland Park. Students will compete for $5,000 in scholarships and cash prizes. Register online at https://secure.mya.org/forms/chambercomp.php. Registration deadline is Feb. 1. For information, visit www.mya.org or call (847) 926-9898.

Midwest Young Artists offers scholarships for pre-college musicians to study with musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or Northwestern University, or professional instrumentalists. Auditions will be held Jan. 29, Feb. 4 and March 3 at the MYA Center, 878 Lyster Road, Highwood, and Feb. 26 at Bennett-Gordon Hall at Ravinia, Highland Park. For information, call (847) 926-9898 or visit www.mya.org.

The Antioch Fine Art Gallery, 983 Main St., Antioch, is offering cash prizes for its People’s Choice Award Exhibition, to be displayed during the month of February. Art must be dropped off by Jan. 30. For details, visit www.antiochfinearts.org.

Amateur, semi-professional and professional poets of all ages who live, work or go to school in Illinois are invited to submit original poetry for the 2012 Poetry Challenge sponsored by Highland Park Poetry. Theme choices are Siblings and Seasons. Poetry submissions will be selected by a jury for a local exhibition throughout April 2012. Selected adult poets will be invited to read their poems April 8 at The Art Center of Highland Park. Selected student poets will be invited to read their poems April 20 at the Highland Park Public Library. Entry deadline is 5 p.m. March 5. There is no reading fee to submit one poem. To submit additional poems, there is a reading fee of $3 per additional poem; limit five poems. For information, visit www.highlandparkpoetry.org.

Benefits

Midwest Young Artists will host its annual benefit, “Discover MYA,” at 5 p.m. April 14 at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park. The evening includes live performances of chamber music and jazz by MYA musicians. Visit www.mya.org or call (847) 926-9898.

Books & poetry

Cook Memorial Library District’s Aspen Drive Library, 701 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. (847) 362-2330. www.cooklib.org. Registration required for all events, unless otherwise noted. Feb. 12: “Tea With Charles Dickens,” a celebration of Dickens’ 200th birthday, featuring a traditional Victorian tea complemented with live harp music and dramatic readings. Seatings are at 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Cook Park Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. (847) 362-2330. www.cooklib.org. Feb. 7: “Dickens of a Celebration,” book discussions featuring the work of Charles Dickens, including David Copperfield, 10 a.m.; and Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities, 7 p.m. Registration is required. Highland Park Public Library,

494 Laurel Ave. (847) 432-1573. www.hplibrary.org. Feb. 15, noon-1:30 p.m.: Dan Chaon discusses and signs Stay Awake.

Ryerson Woods, Riverwoods Road, between Deerfield Road and Route 22, Deerfield. (847) 968-3321. www.ryersonwoods.org. Friends of Ryerson Woods sponsor Ryerson Reads, a book discussion series focused on environmental literary classics. Book talks are held from 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays and are led by Ben Goluboff, professor of English at Lake Forest College. Fee per discussion is $15; $10 for Friends of Ryerson Woods members. March 14: American Chestnut: The Life, Death and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree by Susan Freinkel.

Volo Bog, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, west of Highway 12 between State Routes 120 and 134, Ingleside. Of Bogs & Books Reading Group meets from 10-11:30 a.m. the second Saturday of the month. The small, informal book discussion group is for adults interested in environmental, outdoor and natural history literature. Books selected for discussion range from classic to contemporary. Reservations are requested at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or (815) 344-1294. Feb. 11: Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology by David Abram.

Child’s play

“The Little Mermaid” will be presented by Christian Youth Theater Feb. 9-12 at the College of Lake County’s James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington, Grayslake. Performances are at 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $9-$12 in advance; $11-$14 at the door. Call (847) 516-2298 or visit www.cytchicago.org.

Adlai Stevenson High School Performing Arts Center, 1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire. Call (847) 415-4121 or visit www.d125.org. Feb. 19, 2 p.m.: “Ralph’s World,” featuring children’s musician Ralph Covert. $15; $10 for children.

Comedy

Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. (847) 263-6300. www.geneseetheatre.com. For tickets, call (800) 982-2787 or see www.ticketmaster.com. March 16, 8 p.m.: Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White: Moral Compass Tour. $44.75-$54.75. March 30, 7 p.m.: Comedian Jim Gaffigan. $39.75 and $49.75. April 20, 7:30 p.m.: The Second City: Laugh Out Loud Tour, featuring sketches, songs and improvisations from The Second City’s 50-plus year history. $38.

Dance

Lodge Hall, 1799 Green Bay Road, Highland Park. Classes by BallroomChicago.com. For information, call (847) 757-2227 or visit www.ballroomchicago.com. Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13 and 20: Night Club Two-Step, 7-8 p.m., $10 per person, per session; Argentine tango, 9-10 p.m., $10 per person, per session.

Shoreline Dance Club plays recorded music for easy ballroom dancing in the Stuart Community Room of the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Lessons are given by professional instructors Bob and Penny Urbon at 7:30 p.m., followed by an evening of social dancing. Adults of all ages and dancing abilities welcome. Attire is dressy/casual. Admission per couple is $20 for members; $25 for guests. Membership is $20 per year per couple. Call (847) 816-7602 or visit www.ballroomchicago.com/shoreline.htm. Feb. 18: Waltz. March 17: Cha-cha. April 21: Fox trot. May 19: Rumba.

Saturday Night Dance, sponsored by BallroomChicago.com, 8-11 p.m. Jan. 28 at Lodge Hall, 1799 Green Bay Road, Highland Park. $10 per person. Free mini lesson from 7:15-7:45 p.m. with paid admission. For information, call (847) 579-9361 or visit www.ballroomchicago.com.

Film

Cook Park Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. (847) 362-2330. www.cooklib.org. Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Talking Pictures film and discussion series features “The Tempest,” a 2010 American comedy/drama based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. No registration required.

Organizations

Shutter Bugs Camera Club meets from 7-9 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month, except December, at Volo Bog, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, west of Highway 12 between State Routes 120 and 134, Ingleside. Meetings include how-to workshops, members’ photos and competitions. Membership is $15. Ages 13 to adult are welcome. Call (815) 344-1294 or e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Workshops & classes

Adult stand-up, improv comedy, acting, and commercial voice-over workshops offered by Improv Playhouse of Libertyville start Jan. 30. Classes are also held at Conway Farms in Lake Forest and the Karger Center in Highland Park. Workshops are designed for the beginner to advanced adult student, and are taught by staff from Improv Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, Second City, and nationally booked entertainment business professionals. Workshops meet weekly and will average between $195 and $250 per session. For more information, call (847) 968-4529 or visit www.improvplayhouse.com.

Theatre in the Woods offers an acting workshop led by James M. Lynch of Highland Park and focusing on monologues, open to all levels of experience, 7-9:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 6-March 26, at Zion Lutheran Church, 10 Deerfield Road, Deerfield. Fee is $160. To register, call (847) 604-1990 or e-mail at tiw300@comcast.net.

Et cetera

College of Lake County, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. (847) 543-2300. www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. Jan. 28, 7 p.m.: Mike Super: Magic & Illusion. Super combines magic and illusion with comedy, mixing it with digital music and special effects. $22-$30; $20-$28 senior citizens; $15 teens; $7 children under 12. Kevin Smith

: Live From Behind Featuring “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old” will be broadcast to select movie theaters, including Lincolnshire 20 plus IMAX, 300 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire; and Gurnee Cinemas 20, 6144 Grand Ave., Gurnee, at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 2. Director/writer Kevin Smith and frequent co-star Jason “Jay” Mewes will host their podcast and participate in an interactive, fan-generated Q&A session. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

“Leonardo Live,” a cinematic tour of the sold-out UK National Gallery exhibition “Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan,” will be broadcast at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in local movie theaters, including Lincolnshire 21 with IMAX, 300 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. For information, visit www.FathomEvents.com.

Museums

Highland Park Historical Society Museum, 326 Central Ave., Highland Park. (847) 432-7090. www.highlandparkhistory.com. Through Feb. 5: “History of Toy Trains V,” featuring a collection and operating layout of rare American Flyer and Lionel Standard Gauge trains built between 1910 and 1935. Also included are hundreds of hand-painted lead figures of the era manufactured by Lionel, Barclay, Manoil, Britains, Johillco and Lincoln Logs; historic photographs of Highland Park’s railroads; and antique toy train videos. Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays; 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Admission: $5 per person; $12 per family. Group tours available.

Lake County Discovery Museum, located in the Lakewood Forest Preserve, Route 176, west of Fairfield Road, near Wauconda. (847) 968-3400. www.LCFPD.org. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; and 1-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission: $6; $2.50 for children ages 4-17; free for children 3 and younger. Through Jan. 29: Postcard Art Competition/Exhibition 2011. The biannual event celebrates the postcard as an art form and challenges artists to create original works in a 4” x 6” format. Thirty-six artworks comprise the exhibition, and 12 are available as a set of reproduction postcards. Feb. 18-Aug. 19: “The Blues: From the Heart and Soul,” featuring playbills and autographs, as well as the original musical instrument that created some of the most influential music in American history.