Young musicians serve up good music

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Josh Miller and Justin Varnes will entertain the diners at Francesca's restaurant the first two weeks of February. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media

Music by young musicians

Francesca’s Bellezza, 75 S. La Grange Road, La Grange

Fridays

Call (630) 279-7970 or see www.miafrancesca.com

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Updated: January 26, 2012 3:30PM

Diners come to Francesca’s Bellezza in downtown La Grange expecting a delicious Italian meal. On Fridays, they can expect a treat that appeals to their musical tastes, as well.

Each Friday night the restaurant at 75 S. La Grange Road turns a portion of its dining room into a performance area and welcomes young musicians as the evening’s entertainment.

The new tradition began in November with music by harpist Natalia Ogurkiewicz. Ogurkiewicz, a junior at Lyons Township High School, entertained diners with a variety of tunes.

“They really liked it,” Ogurkiewicz said.

Ogurkiewicz said she was looking for a job — any job — when she came across a posting on her high school’s job board. A Friday night gig doing what she loves to do seemed perfect, and it has been, Ogurkiewicz said.

New each month

“Every month we have a different band or student,” said restaurant manager Andrea Fang, whose idea it was to add young musicians to the Friday night entertainment menu.

Following Ogurkiewicz’s series of November performances came the Wire Choir, a trio of string players also from Lyons Township High School. The girls played Christmas carols and holiday songs on violin and viola each Friday in December.

January introduced Francesca’s diners to guitarist Josh Miller. A music student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Miller is popular among the diners. So much so, in fact, that he’s been invited to perform the first two weekends in February.

“We’ve had such a positive attitude from the customers,” Fang said.

“We’ve done some other restaurant gigs, and this is a pretty good one,” said Miller, who is backed up by bassist Michael Lough, a fellow UIC student.

Lyons Township sophomore Aubrey Aikens and the rest of the Wire Choir also are planning an encore performance.

“We got called back to play before the Valentine’s Day rush on the 12th,” said Aikens, who promises a collection of romantic tunes for the occasion.

Aikens said she and her fellow musicians are happy to return.

“It’s excellent,” she said. “We get nice tips, and it’s really fun.”

Talent showcase

Fang said she’s pleased to give some talented young people a chance to make money doing what they love. She also enjoys showcasing their talents for Francesca’s customers.

“It’s a very nice opportunity,” said Kathleen Blank of the Lyons Township High School College and Career Center.

She said the school’s job board typically is covered with opportunities in retail, office work or babysitting jobs. Blank said Fang came to the right place when she set out in search of talented young musicians.

“We do have a wonderful music program here,” Blank said.

Fang has enlisted the help of Lyons Township in securing her Friday night acts, but musicians don’t have to be Lions to perform.

Any high school or college student with talent to share can contact Fang at (708) 579-3500 for an interview.