Hickory Ridge Concerts welcomes Chicago singer songwriter Joe Gorka to the stage Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Historic Ellisville Opera House in Ellisville, IL. With his keenly observant lyrics and blend of dynamic guitar and piano work, Chicago-based singer-songwriter Joe Gorka is making a name for himself in the Midwest music scene.
It was while he was in college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that he picked up the guitar and began writing and performing. Gorka immersed himself in the local open-mic scene, eventually graduating to coffeehouse and listening room gigs.
In 2023 he moved to Chicago and soon began to perform at well-loved Chicago venues such as Schubas Tavern and Uncommon Ground. He then started booking shows across the Midwest, as well as appearing at festivals like the Fox Valley Folk Festival. During this time, he also began opening for noted folk musician John Gorka (his father). Alongside performing, Joe continued to expand his musical vocabulary, studying guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music and spending time absorbing Chicago’s blues tradition.
In 2025, Gorka released his debut solo acoustic EP, 'Evergreen'. With its stripped down production style, the EP aims to capture the feel of Gorka's live performances. As he continues to tour across the midwest, audiences are discovering a songwriter whose music reflects both the traditions of contemporary folk and a fresh, authentic voice.
The Hickory Ridge Concert Series is hosted by singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo. Concerts are usually (but not always) held on the third Saturday of the month and begin at 7 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m. The Ellisville Opera House is a second story venue however they do now have an elevator and is air conditioned. Coffee, drinks, and a variety of desserts are available during intermission. There is an admission charge of $10 per adults with children under 12 free. Hickory Ridge Concerts is supported in part by WIUM 91.3 FM, your source for NPR programming, local news and a variety of music, the Two Rivers Arts Council, and the Doris and Ken Kolb Foundation. Follow Hickory Ridge Concerts on facebook, or on the website, www.hickoryridgeconcerts.com.
