Kael Mboya is a veteran keyboard player and recording artist who has performed and toured the U.S. and abroad as Music Director or keyboardist with many artists throughout his career including Grammy winner Malik Yusef and shared the stage with keyboardist extraordinaire George Duke. Kael offers his musical and production talents with many established and upcoming indie artists through Ascendant Music Inc., which includes the band ASCENDANT as well as the publishing arm Ascendant Sounds. ASCENDANT describes its sound as a state of mind; a state of being; an uplifting movement to rise above, and it certainly delivers! Ascendant currently has a powerful new EP out now. The website is ascendantmusic.com.

Ascendant City Winery - Chicago - June 11, 2025 | TicketSales.com

A story of Addiction, Healing and the Lasting Power of Friendship. Directed and Starring Ronnie Marmo.

The Chicago Tribune calls it “a moving gathering of the like-minded,” WTTW channel-11 hailed it as “a piercing and honest look at the origin story of a pair of broken men who became heroes of healing” and Variety called the show “a remarkable story… HILARIOUS, POIGNANT, INSPIRING, The Critically Acclaimed “Bill W. And Dr. Bob,” starring and directed by Ronnie Marmo and a great cast of Chicago standouts, returns to North Shore Center For The Performing Arts (9501 Skokie Blvd.) Following its Sold Out extended 2024 run. The inspirational true story of the two founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: New York stockbroker Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. “Bill W. and Dr. Bob,” is produced by Theatre 68, open May 30th and runs through June 8th. For Tickets, go to www.billwanddrbobonstage.com.

The performance schedule is as follows:

• Friday, May 30 – 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday, May 31 – 2 p.m. | 7:30 p.m.

• Sunday, June 1 – 2 p.m.

• Friday, June 6 – 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday, June 7 - 2 p.m. | 7:30 p.m.

• Sunday, June 8 – 2 p.m.

My late friend Barbara LaBarge and my father are my links to Johnny Cash. Barbara used to babysit Johnny and June's kids in the audience during concerts. Not sure who had the tougher job there. My father introduced me to the music as a boy.

Alright, before we get too deep in the weeds, Shawn Barker is damn near a ringer for the late great Johnny Cash. Shawn has become known as the preeminent Johnny Cash tribute artist with his one-of-a-kind Cash tribute show garnering raves from fans and critics worldwide. Shawn Barker will be performing his The man In Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash show in St. Charles on March 16 at the Arcada Theatre. The website is themaninblack.com