One of the oldest dance companies in Illinois, The Springfield Ballet's 30-member civic ballet troupe is dedicated to bringing the art of dance to central Illinois audiences and performers.

Contact:
Artistic Director Julie Dunn
420 S. Sixth St.
Springfield, IL 62701
www.springfieldballetco.org
(217) 544-1967

Barrel of Monkeys is a group of actor-educators providing writing residencies in the Chicago Public Elementary Schools, after which they adapt the stories for the stage. The results get kids excited about writing while also inspiring audiences – young and old.

Contact:
Artistic Director Laura Grey
2936 N. Southport, Suite 210
Chicago, IL 60640
www.barrelofmonkeys.org
(773) 281-0638
laurateresagrey@yahoo.com

Jazz vocalist and Galesburg resident Semenya McCord has received awards from the City of Boston and, along with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, received the 1997 "Artist" Commonwealth Award from the Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences & Humanities.

Contact:
Semenya McCord
PO Box 1818
Galesburg, IL 61402
www.semenyamccord.com
(309) 368-0138

Blair Thomas & Co. is an award-winning Chicago-based touring company that uses various styles of puppetry and live music to emphasize intimacy, nuance and the highest level of craftsmanship.

Contact:
Managing Director Oriana Fowler
Blair Thomas & Company
3200 W. Carroll Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624
www.blairthomas.org
(773) 722-3248

Sherri Farley of Sandwich, Illinois was awarded an Illinois Arts Council Master Apprentice grant to study the unique bluegrass style and obscure tuning method of the hammered dulcimer.

Contact:
Sherri Farley
P.O. Box 724
Somonauk, IL 60552
www.sherrifarley.com
(815) 498-4059

Muntu Dance Theatre is a Chicago-based ensemble highly regarded for its innovative repertoire, preserving traditional African dance while creating new works that build on African, Caribbean, and African-American cultural traditions

Contact:
Lynn D Stevenson
7127 South Ellis Ave, Suite 2
Chicago, IL 60619
www.muntu.com
(773) 602-1135

Ann Stewart and the Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band is led by Ann Stewart, one of the country's leading jazz banjo and vocal talents. The group has been performing nationwide for more than three decades.

Contact:
Ann Stewart and the Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band
P.O. Box 87255
Carol Stream, IL 60188-7255
www.banjobuddies.com
(630) 876-0570

Marvin Tate's voyage into spoken word and performance started in the Lawndale neighborhood on the city's West Side. He has since been heard on National Public Radio's This American Life, and HBO's Def Poetry.

Contact:
Marvin Tate
CD's available at www,cdbaby.com
www.myspace.com/clownspit

Hector Silveira y su orquesta blends Cuban dance music and folkloric rhythm into a unique sound. Originally from Camaguey, Cuba and now a Chicago resident, Hector Silveira has quickly established himself as the "young voice of Cuban music."


Contact:
Hector Silveira
1506 N. Kedzie #3
Chicago, IL 60651
www.hectorsilveira.com
(773) 732-8299