Classical music meets hip-hop when the string phenomenon Black Violin returns to the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) for a 90-minute high-energy concert at 4 p.m., Sunday, April 27. This concert is part of their “Full Circle” tour and will feature Black Violin’s classics, new songs from their newest album, “Full Circle,” plus fun surprises for a celebration of growth, music and beauty of coming full circle. A free MAC Chat with the artists will take place at 3:15 p.m. prior to the performance.
Black Violin’s repertoire includes both instrumental and vocal works, drawing on classical music, but also referencing hip-hop, rock, R&B and bluegrass. This “Full Circle” tour captures the essence of returning to where it all began—transformed and reimagined.
Black Violin is composed of classically trained string instrumentalists Kevin Sylvester (violin) and Wilner Baptiste (viola), who go by the stage names Kev Marcus and Wil B. The two met in orchestra class at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale and soon began their musical journey with a shared passion for both classical and contemporary music. After years of producing beats for South Florida rappers and performing in local clubs, they won Showtime at the Apollo in 2005, which launched them into the national spotlight. Black Violin has since headlined iconic venues like The Kennedy Center and collaborated with major artists such as Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan, and Mike Shinoda. Their TV appearances include the “Today Show,” “CBS Mornings” and “PBS Newshour.” Their 2019 album, “Take the Stairs,” earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, further cementing their status as trailblazers in the music industry. Their newest album, “Full Circle” is scheduled for release this March.
Black Violin’s work extends beyond the stage, reaching into communities nationwide with numerous performances for students and hands-on engagement with youth symphonies and community centers. Through collaborations with local and national education programs Baptiste and Marcus connect with more than 100,000 students throughout the year.
Tickets
McAninch Arts Center, located at 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of College of DuPage, presents Black Violin: “Full Circle” at 4 p.m., Sunday, April 27. Tickets are $65-$70 For tickets or more information visit www.AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000. The McAninch Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 6 p.m. and two hours prior to performance.
A free MAC Chat will take place at 3:15 p.m. prior to the performance.
The MAC will host a field trip performance of Black Violin at 11 a.m. Monday, April 28. Target grades are K – 8. Tickets for this school show are $10 per person. Groups of any size are welcome, including individuals, home school, public and private schools. Tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting Group Sales 630.942.2220 or email grouptix@cod.edu
Media Sponsor is 90.9 FM WDCB Public Radio.
About the MAC
McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage is located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355. It houses three indoor performance spaces (780-seat proscenium Belushi Performance Hall; 186-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre; and a versatile black box Studio Theatre), outdoor Lakeside Pavilion, plus the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. The MAC has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 100,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances each season.
The mission of the MAC is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. For more information about the MAC, visit www.AtTheMAC.org or @AtTheMAC on Facebook and Instagram.
Support for the McAninch Arts Center is provided in part by Brookdale Senior Living Glen Ellyn, Anonymous, College of DuPage Foundation, Sullivan Taylor Family Trust, DuPage Foundation, Ball Horticultural, Frank Modruson & Lynne Shigley, Enjoy Illinois, Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Media Sponsor is WDCB 90.9 FM. Hotel Sponsor is DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle/Naperville.
Established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization in 1967, the College of DuPage Foundation raises monetary and in-kind gifts to increase access to education and to enhance cultural opportunities for the surrounding community. For more information about the College of DuPage Foundation, visit www.foundation.cod.edu or call 630.942.2462.