As a entertainment attorney and business advisor, Bob Acri saw a steady stream of highly trained young musicians cross his path … but precious few who understood the business aspects of their chosen career. Acri knew the challenges these artists would experience, and the hardships they would likely face without some basic business training. Determined to help, he created structured seminars to help young, aspiring musicians bridge the “business gap.” In 2002, those seminars became the basis for the Cavalcade of Music Foundation, an Illinois not-for-profit that was to become the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation. In the five years since, the foundation has helped educate hundreds of young musicians about the intricacies of business in their chosen field. In 2004, the foundation embarked on another, equally exciting mission …
The Skokie Theatre, an art-deco beauty opened in 1912, had fallen into disrepair and been put up for sale. Where others saw a liability, the foundation saw an extraordinary opportunity: to create not just a dedicated space for foundation offices and seminars, but a performance facility for young artists, and a beacon for the local arts community. The theatre was purchased and the foundation board rolled up their sleeves. One board member, an architect, donated design and project-management services. Others donated their time and expertise in construction and renovations. Still others organized an extraordinary level of support from individuals and business throughout the community. $1.5 million and countless donated work hours later, the 140-seat Skokie Theatre reopened with a new life and a new purpose: to provide a world-class performance venue for musicians, and a permanent home for the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation and its important work. Today’s theatre is truly a jewel in Skokie’s downtown, its beautifully preserved historic exterior giving way to an intimate, contemporary and acoustically balanced performance space. It is a special place that all of Skokie can look on with pride.
Combining a special blend of music, art and magic to both educate and entertain audiences of all ages. We will also add informational seminars with topics including finance, health and contemporary issues. Guest presenters will be experts in their fields, making our theater the first working classroom in Chicagoland. We are presenting a series of the most innovative programs involving elements of history, humor and pathos. You will be happy you joined us for a night of intimate entertainment in the visual & performing arts. World class documentaries, followed by discussion with their producers are only part of our programming. We add classic silent films that include comedy, science fiction and horror. These great programs are the reason our theatre was built. We celebrate Skokie's heritage with every showing. An eclectic mix of music including Blues, Ethnic, Classical, Jazz, Pop, Americana and Swing. Something for anyone to enjoy in our world class theatre.