About Studio5
Studio5 is an intimate performing arts venue bringing dance, music, theater and film to Chicago's North Shore. We feature state of the art lighting and audio equipment, as well as broadcast quality audio/video recording and live web streaming capabilities. Boasting excellent sight lines, extraordinary sound, comfortable seating and ample free parking, Studio5 offers a welcoming space to enjoy the performing arts in a cozy setting. There truly is not a bad seat in the house.
Charles Osgood Photography
Our Story
In the fall of 2016, Béa and Steve Rashid expanded Dance Center Evanston to include Studio5 as a performing arts venue presenting professional dance and music events, as well as occasional spoken word and film.
It functions as the Dance Center’s fifth studio in the day and is converted to venue and event space by dusk.
Live at Studio5 Jazz Series
The Live at Studio5 jazz series is a continuation of the format Steve Rashid established previously with the Live at the Whiskey Lounge series, presenting small-ensemble performances by some of Chicago's leading jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. Each performance includes a brief onstage conversation with the artists about their craft. Emmy award winning composer Steve Rashid is the series host and an occasional performer. Chicago jazz station WDCB (90.9FM) is the series co-sponsor.
Audience members are situated near the performers in cushioned theater seats and at cozy cabaret tables, giving Live at Studio5 a “house concert” feeling — allowing patrons an up-close look into the process and the intimate musical conversation that is the heart of a small ensemble. All Live at Studio5 events are recorded with broadcast quality video and highlights are later uploaded to YouTube to support the online presence of our performing artists. Learn about our video archive HERE. Multi-track audio recordings are also captured and subsequently mixed and edited for broadcast on our syndicated radio program, Chicago Jazz Live. Chicago Jazz Live airs in Chicago on Tuesdays, 7-8PM CST on WDCB (90.9FM or WDCB.org) and is distributed nationwide through PRX (Public Radio Exchange). Learn more about Chicago Jazz Live HERE.
We would love you to join us! Be part of our studio audience for a Live at Studio5 event. Relax, order a drink, and sit up close to see and hear some of Chicago’s finest jazz musicians perform and discuss their craft. Visit our calendar of upcoming events.
Smart music and intelligent conversation for curious people.
Photo by Matt Glavin
Staff
photo by Matt Glavin
Steve Rashid
Co-Founder / Artistic Director
Steve Rashid is an Emmy winning composer, a performer, producer and recording engineer. He holds a B.A. in Music and Philosophy from Ripon College and a Masters Degree in Music Composition from Northwestern University. He has composed and performed in many musical contexts and styles throughout his career. He was a 2004 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Ripon College.
Steve Rashid is the creator and curator of the jazz series here at Studio5.
photo by Matt Glavin
Béa Rashid
Co-Founder / Artistic Director
Béa Rashid is a dance educator, choreographer, and theater director. A graduate of Northwestern University, Béa is a Diploma Fellow of the Cecchetti Council of America. She has choreographed and directed theatrical productions for over 30 years. In 1994 Béa opened Dance Center Evanston and in 1997 she founded the Evanston Dance Ensemble. Béa continues to direct and choreograph, often collaborating with her husband and composer, Steve Rashid. Béa’s contribution to the community was recognized in 1999 with the Mayor’s Award for the Arts and in 2017 with the Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit/Public Service Award.
Audio Master / Sam Fishkin
We are tremendously serious about sound at Studio5, and we are therefore very fortunate to have Sam Fishkin regularly behind our mixing console. Sam has mixed live shows by Betty Carter, Oregon, Ron Carter, and performances for DVDs by Jennifer Hudson, Nine Inch Nails, Mumford & Sons, Lady Antebellum, and for CDs by legendary blues artists Koko Taylor, Charlie Musselwhite, Tinsley Ellis, Lonnie Brooks, and John Lee Hooker. In 2006, Sam co-founded Mix Kitchen, a boutique audio studio in downtown Chicago. “I work with so many different artists and producers I needed a flexible and scalable studio,” he says. “Here, I can jump from a VO recording to surround film mixing to tracking a band all in a day.” A New Jersey native, Sam graduated from Northwestern University with a major in Radio, TV & Film.
Any day Sam is behind the board at Studio5 is a good day.
Did you know?
Every week, local business Minasian Rug Company provides a stunning oriental rug (a different one for every show!) for our Live at Studio5 musicians. These gorgeous works create a stage-within-a-stage and we get to perform art … on art! We are grateful for the continuing friendship and support we enjoy from the wonderful Minasian family.