Hollywood Comes to Oak Park

As if being the home town of Earnest Hemingway, Frank Lloyd Wright, Betty White and Bob Newhart wasn’t exciting enough – now Oak Park has been chosen by a Hollywood veteran as the perfect spot for his Chicago debut as a jazz vocalist.

Wayne Powers – jazz vocalist, bandleader, actor, comedian, radio talk show host and recording artist – will be appearing at the Eastgate Café, 102 Harrison Street in Oak Park on Saturday, April 6, 2019. His backup band is the Tommy Muellner Trio with Tommy on piano, Kelly Sill on bass and Phil Gratteau on drums. The show starts with dinner at 6:30 PM and goes until 10:00 PM.

Appeared on major TV shows and night clubs

Throughout his career, Powers has been a successful nightclub performer in both comedy and

music. He appeared regularly on TV in Laverne & Shirley, One Day at A Time and on his own NBC show, 13 East. He was also in a L.A.-based comedy troupe with Robin Williams. And his band played to celebrity crowds for years. Now he lives in Chicago and is promoting his lastest album, “If Love Were All.”

Stopped by the Eastgate Cafe to jam

Wayne first sang at the Eastgate Café at a Sunday jam session the restaurant holds every week featuring the Doug Lalli trio. He discovered that the room has the perfect acoustics and ambiance for a jazz performer. “There’s just something special about the Eastgate,” Wayne observed. You’re not only close to the audience, they’re all around you. The room has an energy and vibe that’s very, very special. And the food is fabulous!”

Wayne’s audience was equally appreciative of his incredible performance. “Basically, he brought the house down, “band leader Doug Lalli said. “So we asked to come back and do a supper show of his own as soon as he could,” explains Olya Daily, owner of the Eastgate. “And he agreed!”

Tickets include the show and a full gourmet dinner

In addition to the show, the ticket price covers a dinner entrée – salmon, steak, pasta or pulled pork – salad and dessert. The Eastgate also has a full bar with wine, beer, liquor and cocktails available. Tickets are $45 a person and must be purchased in advance. Reserve by credit card by calling 708-660-9091.

For more about Wayne, visit www.waynepowers.com or the Eastgate Café at www.east.gatecafe.net.