The Good Life - Senior Travel and Entertainment

This month, WTTW11 invites you to tune in for two musical specials which are sure to bring back wonderful memories and create new ones. Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra and Pat Boone: Love Letters in the Sands of Time feature two

unforgettable and well-loved performers.

Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra, premiering at 1:00 p.m. March 7 on WTTW11, was filmed last year at the rollicking 2009 Polkapalooza Festival at Caesar’s Windsor Hotel and Casino in Canada. Performing some of the biggest polka hits of all time, Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra bring the excitement captured in their live performance to a national public television audience.

As one of the most recognizable figures in the world of polka music today, Jimmy Sturr,

to put it simply, is the “king” of American Polka music. He and his orchestra are on the top 10 list of all-time Grammy Award winners, having garnered 18 Grammys and an impressive list of Grammy nominations.

This performance extravaganza features standards such as “Clarinet Polka,” “Tavern in the Town” and other favorites, along with timeless big band standards such as “In the Mood” and “Sing Sing Sing.” The orchestra also pays tribute to Lawrence Welk with a medley of Welk’s popular songs.

After more than 60 years in show business, WTTW11 is pleased to present Pat Boone’s first national public television special, “Pat Boone: Love Letters in the Sands of Time” airingat 2:30 p.m. March 7. During the 1950’s Boone rivaled only Elvis Presley in chart-topping hits. With his silky, smooth singing voice, charming good looks and iconic white bucks, Boone had 38 top 40 hits, and became a movie star and best-selling author. In 1957, he began hosting his own television musical variety show called “Pat Boone-Chevy Showroom.” This weekly series ran from 1957-1961 and featured many of the top performers of its time including Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole and Mel Torme.

In this special, Boone reintroduces an extraordinary vintage collection of guest solos and duets, along with a selection of his own classic hits. This broadcast represents the first time that these original recordings have been released in high definition.

Some of the memorable performances in the program include Mel Torme singing “It’s All Right With Me;” Boone and Nat King Cole performing “Nature Boy;” an unforgettable attempt at yodeling with the King of the Cowboys, Roy Rogers; and a hilarious rock ‘n’ roll version of “Tenderly” by Boone and Andy Williams.

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy these amazing entertainers as they reminisce and perform, only on WTTW11.

Traditional Irish music group Danu will perform at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, at 7 p.m. March 14.

Formed in 1994 at the Oireachtas Festival in Dungarvan County Waterford, Danú stays true to the traditional sounds of Irish music, but group members aren’t afraid to bring their own inspiring approach to their performance.

Danú was twice voted Best Traditional Group by BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards.

Tickets are $36 for adults, $34 for seniors and $26 for College of DuPage students and youth. For more information, call the MAC Ticket Office at 630-942-4000, or visit the website at www.atthemac.org.

The last time they were in Chicago they rocked the Tweeter Center at Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid. Now “America’s Polka Impresario” Jimmy Sturr is coming back to Chicago for a repeat thrilling performance. In a dazzling tribute to the music of Lawrence Welk , the 18-time Grammy winning polka orchestra will be on hand to “roll out the barrel” at noon May 2 at Sabre Room, 8900 W. 95th St. in Hickory Hills.

At the time that rock was reaching its crescendo, and in the era when country music was dazzling the nation, a strange phenomenon was taking place. In essence, this phenomenon was the rising popularity of Jimmy Sturr as the hottest musical attraction in the polka field. Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra has over 120 recordings. The excellence of these recordings has been recognized and rewarded throughout the very competitive music industry.

The fact that Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra is on the Top Ten list of the all-time Grammy Awards, has won eighteen Grammy Awards and has received more consecutive Grammy nominations that anyone in the history of musical awards has made the music industry sit up and take notice. Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) has awarded Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra its most valued award, the Commendation of Excellence.

WTTW (Channel 11) will air a two-hour musical extravaganza, titled Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, at 1:00 p.m. March 7. See the king of polka music take the stage in this special television tribute, which will air nationwide. Then, join Jimmy and his orchestra for a one-of-a-kind live concert and luncheon. Don’t miss this chance to see the very best of polka live in concert!

The show will also feature an autograph and picture taking session, so all are encouraged to bring their camera for personal photos with Jimmy and the band. Seeing is believing. When you see Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra in person, you know why they draw the huge crowds, have been voted number one in the country, and are considered the best in polka music..

To order tickets for the concert, call 866-269-6746. Group discounts are available. For more information, visit the website at www.jimmysturr.com.