Chicagoland's Jim Bulanda can easily step into the shoes of any major Las Vegas entertainer. He is a vocalist who is most famous and appreciated for his impressions of Dean Martin and of course, the 'Chairman of the Board,' Frank Sinatra. His popular “Salute to the Stars” will take place on Tuesday, June 1 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Woodland Park in Portage, Indiana. This terrific concert opens the 2021 Portage Summer Music Series of "FREE" concerts held indoors in Woodland Park's Oakwood Grand Hall -- and it's the first of fourteen fantastic Tuesday night concerts! Woodland Park is located just south of US 20 in Portage, at 2100 Willowcreek Road (from US 20 & 249, 1/4 mile east to light, 1/4 mile south to park entrance). Seating is provided and the show is free and open to the public.
Jim started singing at the tender age of seven to entertain his large Italian family. Throughout his twenties, he regularly sang in church as a cantor. Parishioners soon took notice of Jim's beautiful, velvety smooth voice, and he was often asked to sing at weddings.
In the early 1990's, Jim ventured into the nightlife. He could frequently be seen singing and dabbling in comedy at Chicago's local comedy clubs. Patrons at these clubs soon remarked on his remarkable singing voice and encouraged him to develop it. For the next three years, Jim polished his Sinatra classic songs and developed a nightclub act that includes a repertoire of 70 classic songs.
Jim began his professional singing career in 1994, performing in numerous nightclubs in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. He has performed in places such as Chicago's East Bank Club, The Merchandise Mart, Salvatore's and Chicago's famous Omni Ambassador East and The Pump Room. Jim has entertained audiences of as many as 3000 people and has traveled as far as Nevada and Arizona to perform. In the spring of 2001, Jim was sent to Las Vegas by Chicago's WXRT radio station to perform in the Fremont Street Experience Talent Showcase.
Jim has entertained audiences at local nightclubs and casinos, and at events and outdoor festivals including the American Heart Association's "Taste of Northwest Indiana," Merrillville's 2001 Town Ball, USA Fest in Crete, the Annual "Main Streets Night" in Park Forest, WBBM Channel 2 Chicago on Ed Curran's Morning Show and the Star Plaza Theatre with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
While Jim's captivating nightclub act and rich singing voice can be enjoyed at many of the local restaurants in the Chicagoland area, you won’t want to miss THIS opportunity to bring the whole family to sing, dance or just listen. For more information, contact Portage Chamber of Commerce at 762-3300, Portage Parks at 762-1675, Debra Silvert, publicity chair at 219-628-0914 or visit www.portagelive.org.