Feb 3, 2026 12:10 AM
In Memoriam: Ken Peplowski, 1959–2026
Ken Peplowski, a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, died Feb. 2…
HotHouse/The Center for International Performance and Exhibition announced that it is reopening after an eight-month hiatus. Chicago’s HotHouse and Viaduct Theater announced that the two organizations have joined in a partnership to offer music and theater to Chicago audiences. During the month of April, performances will take place at the Viaduct Theater.
“We are excited to join forces with HotHouse,” said Viaduct Theater co-founder Robert Whitaker. “We have wanted to expand our music offerings for a while, and believe that a partnership with HotHouse will bring the expertise needed to make music at the Viaduct a success.”
“We always intended to re-open,” said HotHouse President Linda Michaels. “Although there were definitely some who doubted us.”
The first show is scheduled for April 5, and HotHouse members are invited to this show free of charge.
The April schedule, which spans a variety of genres including African, Latin and jazz, as well as visual arts and dance, is as follows:
April 5: Seneke Ensemble
April 11: Mexican Son Jarocho to Spanish Flamenco: Las Guitarras de España and Fandanguero. Plus an after-set by Darwin Noguera’s Evolution Trio
April 12: Wendy Clinard’s Jondo Portraits
April 17: Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble
April 18: Casa Caliente! HotHouse Latin Dance Party! Features Papo Santiago y Orchestra Infraverde, De La Buena
April 24: Greg Ward Quartet and Cafe Antarsia
April 25: Chicago Samba
April 26: Global Rhythm Project: World Music Dance Party
More info: hothouse.net
Peplowski first came to prominence in legacy swing bands, including the final iteration of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, before beginning a solo career in the late 1980s.
Feb 3, 2026 12:10 AM
Ken Peplowski, a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, died Feb. 2…
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