FitzGerald's Kicks Off New Acoustic Jazz Series Wednesday in the Side Bar

Area residents have a new reason to head out on the town Wednesday nights.

, has announced a new acoustic jazz series to correspond with their classic cocktail night in the Side Bar.

Wednesdays are typically slow nights are bars, not attracting the so-called "thirsty Thursday" crowd, or those who generally only go out on weekends. stemmed from a desire to attract more people in on a mid-week night.

There's all the more reason to get a classic drink on Wednesdays at FitzGerald's with the addition of a weekly acoustic jazz act now on the bill in the venue adjacent to the bar.

Shows will begin at 8 p.m. with a suggested donation of $5 to catch the music.

The series officially kicks off this Wednesday with FitzGerald's hosting The New Standard Quintet from Chicago. The group plays a diverse array of music and is led by saxophonist Ken Partyka. The New Standard Quintet provides a modernized update on traditional jazz standards and also pulls material from the world of popular music to be expressed through jazz.

On Feb. 13, FitzGerald's hosts the Peter Lerner Quartet. Peter Learner, a jazz guitarist who grew up in Chicago’s diverse Hyde Park neighborhood, leads the quartet. A versatile guitarist and performer, Lerner has played with the likes of Gladys Knight, Bootsy Collins, Tito Puente, Little Anthony and Imperials and Patti LaBelle.

Acts to follow include the Jarod Bufe Quartet on Feb. 20 and Bakerzmillion on Feb. 27.