Live Music. Real Stories. Unforgettable Moments.
MB Productions events bring together music, creativity, and community through unique live experiences you won’t find anywhere else. From intimate screenings and artist Q&As to dynamic performances, each event is designed to connect audiences with the people and stories behind the music. Whether you’re a fan, creator, or supporter of the arts, we offer a front-row seat to inspiration in action.
Producer
Producer’s Series: Saluda House Sessions
Screenings of live music videos followed by Q&A with the producer, videographer, and musicians.
March 12, 2026
Harper College, Palatine, IL
Producer’s Series: Saluda House Sessions
Screenings of live music videos followed by Q&A with the producer, videographer, and musicians.
Left to Right: Giovany Revelle, videographer, Kitt Lyles, producer, and Henry Beardsley, MBAF executive director.
Producer/Sponsor Rising Stars
Women’s Jazz Festival
Each year, the Women’s Jazz Festival shines a spotlight on the next generation of talent during its Saturday afternoon Rising Stars performance. Young women from local high schools take the stage after weeks of preparation, working closely with their jazz band directors and a recent alum who serves as a mentor. Together they select repertoire, rehearse, and refine their sound gaining both musical confidence and professional insight along the way.
In 2026, the Rising Stars ensemble delivered a standout performance, bringing vibrant energy and skill to a program featuring jazz works by women composers. Their musicianship, creativity, and stage presence made it clear that the future of jazz is in very capable hands.
Henry Beardsley, Chair, Rising Stars Committee 2026
Students from High School Districts 211 and 214 perform at the 2026 Rising Stars event
Producer / Sponsor
Women’s Jazz Festival
MaddBear Productions is proud to serve as a premier sponsor of the annual Women’s Jazz Festival (WJF) at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights each January. This multi-day celebration spotlights a dazzling array of women-led ensembles across an incredible range of styles from modern to traditional, experimental to soulful— creating singular, joy-filled experiences that draw listeners from across the region. From intimate sets to dynamic ensemble performances, the festival consistently elevates female voices in jazz while cultivating a warm, inclusive atmosphere for artists and audiences alike.
January 6-8, 2023
January 4-7, 2024
January 7-11, 2025
January 6-10, 2026
Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, IL
Juli Wood’s Little Rootie Tootie, WJF 2023.
In 2024 the Women’s Jazz Festival earned a $30,000 Live Music Society grant, enabling even more adventurous presentations and expanded community engagement. Each year’s lineup is curated by Hey Nonny owner Chip Brooks in partnership with the Hey Nonny Women’s Jazz Committee, led by jazz scholar and MaddBear Productions director Karuna Maddava. Together they program world-class female jazz performances that celebrate artistry, mentorship, and the enduring vibrancy of women in jazz.
Sponsor
Step Beyond The Red Door
LEVELdance presents a new narrative, contemporary dance production at The Red Door.
March 28–30, 2025
The Edge Theater, Chicago, IL
Set in the underground sex clubs of Japan, The Red Door follows a traveling couple immersed in Japan’s vibrant culture. When they stumble upon a mysterious red door, curiosity and hesitation collide. What lies beyond is a world of seduction, intimacy, and loneliness a journey into the unknown that will change them forever.
Featuring artists Ben Marshall, Kalli, Nat Wilson, Ruben Andres Castilo Gomez, Kara Hunsinger, and Rachel Newton. Choreography by Brandon DiCriscio and Eddy Ocampo.
Credit: Fernando Rodriguez. Website leveldance.org
Be Part of Something Bigger
Your support helps artists create, perform, and grow. From live music and dance to bold new creative work, every contribution makes a real impact in our community.
One hundred percent of your donation goes directly to supporting artists and creative programs.
Why Your Support Matters
Experience the Energy
From intimate performances to full scale productions, MaddBear Productions brings the arts to life in ways that are powerful, personal, and unforgettable.