Chautauqua Songwriters to Perform at Lincoln's New Salem on Saturday

[January 07, 2008]  PETERSBURG -- The Chautauqua Songwriters, a gathering of local musical artists, will offer a premiere performance Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site Visitor Center as a benefit for the New Salem Lincoln League. The Lincoln League provides support for the historic site's special events, educational programs and supports the volunteer program.

The evening will feature local songwriters and musicians and will present an assortment of original music. Local artists include Tom Irwin, Ben Bedford and Paul Ingle. The Bourbon Bluegrass Band, a central Illinois jamgrass group, will perform as the anchor band. Members of the band are Luke Turasky, guitar and vocals; Mike Steinhauer, dobro and vocals; Bryan Steinhauer, mandolin and vocals; Geoff Ryan, bass; and Justin Schmidt, percussion. With influences ranging from traditional bluegrass to rock-and-roll, they have helped revive the acoustic music scene in central Illinois.

Tickets for the Saturday performance are on sale at The Bean Counter, Recycled Records, Trout Lily Cafe, Andiamo or by calling Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site at 217-632-4000.

Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is a reconstruction of the 1830s log village where Abraham Lincoln spent six years of his life. The historic site is located about 20 miles northwest of Springfield and two miles south of Petersburg on Route 97 and is open Wednesday through Sunday.

[Text from Illinois Historic Preservation Agency news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]