Chautauqua Songwriters to perform January 12 at Lincoln's New Salem

PETERSBURG - The Chautauqua Songwriters, a gathering of local musical artists, will offer a premiere performance Saturday, January 12 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 include Luke Turasky, guitar/vocals; Mike Steinhauer, dobro/vocals; Bryan Steinhauer, mandolin/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 January 12 performance are on sale at The Bean Counter, Recycled Records, Trout Lily Café, 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 (www.Illinois-History.gov), is a reconstruction of the 1830s log village where Abraham Lincoln spent six years of his life. It is located about 20 miles northwest of Springfield and two miles south of Petersburg on Route 97, and is open Wednesday through Sunday.