Celebrate Valentine's Day with "L-O-V-E: Love Songs from the Great American Songbook"at Birch Creek

EGG HARBOR, Wis. (January 13, 2025) – Birch Creek Music Performance Center is excited to present “L-O-V-E: Love Songs from the Great American Songbook.” This Valentine’s Dinner Concert fundraiser will take place on Saturday, February 15 in Juniper Hall, featuring the incredible talents of Birch Creek Big Band Jazz session faculty members Katie Ernst (bass/vocals), Larry Brown (guitar/vocals), and guest artist Dustin Laurenzi (saxophone).

Known for their summer performances with Birch Creek’s Jazz Orchestra, Katie Ernst and Larry Brown will warm your winter with their extraordinary talent, joined by saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi. Together, they will bring classic love songs to life with a fresh twist. Selections for the performance will be announced from the stage. 

Doors open at 5:15 and the evening begins with a pre-concert social at 5:30 pm. At 6:00 pm, a cash bar offering a selection of beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres catered by Culinaria will offer guests an enjoyable meal to precede the concert.  

Tickets for this special event cost $95 per person and may be purchased at BirchCreek.org/Tickets or by contacting the Birch Creek Box Office at (920) 868-3763. You may also buy tickets in person at the Birch Creek office at 3821 County Rd E, three miles east of Egg Harbor. Birch Creek’s winter office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. 

Thanks to the generous lead sponsorship of Birch Creek’s Board of Trustees, with co-sponsorship by Door County Medical Center, all proceeds from this event will directly support Birch Creek students. Seating is limited, and tickets are expected to sell out quickly, so secure your seats today! 

Bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst is an active bandleader, songwriter, and musician in Chicago’s jazz/improvised music community. She travels throughout the US as a guest artist/clinician for young musicians. She records, performs, and tours with bands including Twin Talk, Alvin Cobb Jr. Trio, and indie rock band Edith Judith. Ernst holds a BM in Jazz Studies from the Eastman School of Music where she studied with Birch Creek’s Jazz Program Director, Jeff Campbell. 

Larry Brown, guitar and vocals, holds degrees in Jazz Performance from Southern Illinois University (SIU) and Northern Illinois University, where he earned a Master’s in Jazz Studies. At SIU, he studied with Birch Creek’s Jazz II Guitar Faculty, Rick Haydon. A Kennedy Center Jazz Ahead alumnus, Brown has toured nationally and internationally as a composer/arranger as well as a bandleader. Based in Chicago, Brown is an in-demand guitarist, playing in several ensembles and co-leading the acclaimed Chicago Soul Jazz Collective. He has released two records of original compositions (There Can Only Be One – 2011; The Music & The Moment – 2015). He is a contributing writer to the book Teaching Music through Performance in Jazz – Volume 2.  

Dustin Laurenzi is a Chicago-based saxophonist, composer, and bandleader celebrated for his innovative approach to jazz and improvised music. Leading the ensemble Natural Language and co-founding the trio Twin Talk, Laurenzi explores dynamic, textural soundscapes with original compositions. He has collaborated with notable artists, including contributing to Bon Iver's Grammy-winning album 22, A Million. Laurenzi's introspective playing blends influences of free jazz, post-bop, and experimental music. Renowned for his versatility and creativity, he continues to shape Chicago's jazz scene while earning acclaim for his artistry and collaborative spirit. 

Don’t miss this magical evening of love and music. Join us in supporting Birch Creek’s mission of nurturing the next generation of talented musicians.

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Celebrating its 50th season, Birch Creek Music Performance Center is Door County’s unique summer music venue and residential music academy located in Egg Harbor, WI. With a performance emphasis, academy students are taught by nationally known performers and educators during the day and perform alongside them in concerts at night. Four sessions focus on Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music; Symphony, and Big Band Jazz. Throughout this celebratory season, special guest artists will also join in performances. In mid-August, enrichment opportunities for adult musicians are offered through Wind Ensemble, Chamber Music, and Piano Retreats. Proceeds from all Birch Creek events and concerts provide support for Birch Creek students.