When April 25, 2026 at 7:30pm CDT 3 hrs
Where ROCO Chicago 5406 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, United States
Contact Codrut Birsan [email protected]


SOLD OUT

The vibes are coming back — and they’ll be bolder, brighter, and more unforgettable than ever!

Join us for the 4th edition of ROCO Chicago’s signature celebration of music, culture, and connection—a weekend of breathtaking performances, cultural storytelling, elegant ambiance, and vibrant community spirit.

🗓️ Mark your calendars: April 25–26, 2026

📍 ROCO Chicago | 5406 N Kedzie Ave

Sat 4/25 — Concert: 7:30 PM | Doors open at 6:30 PM
Sun 4/26 — 2:00–3:30 PM

About the Festival

Timeless Vibes is ROCO Chicago’s annual multicultural arts festival—bringing together live performance, cultural storytelling, and community gathering in a format that is both inspiring and accessible. Each edition is built around a theme that celebrates distinct artistic traditions, while inviting our audience to experience the history, beauty, and meaning behind the music.
This concert weekend is a community convening where culture becomes a shared experience and a bridge across generations and communities.

Our Mission

Timeless Vibes Festival exists to elevate Romanian art and musical heritage within Chicago’s multicultural landscape—while educating, inspiring, and connecting audiences through live performance and cultural storytelling.

As a ROCO Chicago signature program, Timeless Vibes also strengthens community well-being and visibility by:

  • Creating a welcoming space of belonging and shared cultural pride
  • Elevating community voice and leadership (artists, youth, volunteers, and partners)
  • Supporting local small businesses and creatives through vendor partnerships
  • Building cross-cultural collaboration by inviting leaders and organizations from diverse communities to participate

What to Expect

  • Incredible artists and live performance
  • Cultural storytelling that brings history and meaning to each musical style
  • Exquisite bites & wine featuring local vendors and small businesses
  • Community showcase moments that highlight heritage, creativity, and collaboration
  • A warm, elegant atmosphere designed for connection and celebration

 

Program Highlights (2026)

Day 1 — Saturday Evening

A Live Celebration of Romanian Music—Reimagined
 An unforgettable evening presenting Romanian music through diverse genres and contemporary interpretations—featuring live artists and orchestra, local performers, and cultural moments that educate and inspire.

Concert: 7:30 PM | Doors: 6:30 PM

 

The Musicians

Codrut Birsan
Timess Vibes Festival Director - Codrut Birsan - will enchant the audience with his voice—and maybe surprise you along the way.
For this year’s festival, Codruț is not only taking the stage but also shaping the sound behind the scenes—he arranged all the musical pieces, bringing together an eclectic mix of styles that promises something delightful for every ear.
Codruț was born in Brașov, Romania, and began studying piano at the age of six. By 17, he was already accompanying at Opera Brașov. During his voice studies at the National University of Music in Bucharest, he also served as a piano accompanist for the opera class.
Since moving to the United States in 2005, he has earned a Master of Music in Voice from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and continued his work as a vocal collaborator.
Codruț is also the Artistic Director of the Chicago Summer Opera, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing world-class training to gifted artists while offering accessible, high-quality performances to our community.
Gabriel Datcu
Gabriel grew up in a musical family learning classical as a teenager then moved to study jazz improvisation . While in his later teens he was requested to tour around Europe in a jazz big band and record for Radio and National TV stations before he moved to US in 2000 where he was offered scholarships and opportunities to study with Fareed Haque NIU, Bob Palmieri - De Paul and at clinics with John Scofield and Pat Metheny . Gabriel has been involved in recording CDs and performing with jazz, gospel, and fusion artists in US and abroad pacing between 300 to 400 gigs and shows every year. Gabriel loves to employ a stylistic variety which engages both classical and improvisation abilities. His latest CD with original compositions, Rojo has been featured on Chicago’s WDCB and broadcasted throughout US . Several of the venues Gabriel performed at include : Jazz Showcase, Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz, Chicago Theatre, Millenium Park Pritzkter Stage, Jazz Fest, City Winery, House of Blues.
Margaret Thompson

Margaret is one of the Timeless Vibes Festival's returning artists! A freelance trumpet player in the Chicago metropolitan area, Margaret regularly performs in multiple groups consisting of different genres. She has played with Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra, in musical pit orchestras, Chicago Summer Opera, and Lake County Symphony. She currently performs with the Gold Coast Brass Quintet, Chicago Brass Band and Chicago Wind Symphony. When she isn't performing, Margaret teaches private trumpet lessons with DePaul's Community Music Division.

VĂ­ctor Gonzalez Jr.
Victor is a prominent Chicago-based percussionist who has been a staple of the Midwest music scene since 2008. Known for his remarkable versatility, Víctor has built a career performing across a vast spectrum of genres. He has shared the stage with salsa icons including Tito Nieves, La India, and Jerry Rivera, as well as Latin jazz luminaries such as Paquito D’Rivera, Luis Bonilla, Humberto Ramirez and Tito Puente Jr.
His extensive performance history also includes collaborations with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and Etienne Charles, with recording credits alongside celebrated artists Steve Turre, Paoli Mejias, and Brian Lynch. A dedicated educator, Víctor joined the faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago in 2019, where he serves as an associate instructor of jazz percussion. He currently performs with the Victor Garcia Latin Sextet, Caribe Project, Roy McGrath’s Menjunje, and Tito Carrillo’s Urbanessence.
Dan Rizo

Dan is the VOX Maris group’s "philosopher", the band’s drummer, was born in Deva. In high school, he started the ‘Atomic’ band. He got established in America and a few years after his arrival, he met Adrian Nechiti, next to whom the music started to come alive, while they were playing music in his basement. Deep Purple, AC/DC, Metallica, Celelalte Cuvinte, Compact, Iris where a few bands that influenced Dan, and made his life more beautiful. His passions are philosophy, sociology, history, politics, ecology, social justice, literature, nature and self-development. He lives in the moment without giving the future to much neglect nor credit. ‘For me being in Vox Maris band is doing what I love and love doing it! My philosophy in life is " what are you doing when you’re doing what you’re doing?" Find the answer to that question and you'll find the meaning of your life. Simply complicated!

Adrian Nechiti
Adrian is the leader of Vox Maris and the band’s guitarist and vocal soloist. With a calm manor, meticulous, by profession an engineer, Adrian is unquestionably the best when it comes to the technical aspects of Vox Maris’s band. This is what Adrian has to say about his life’s journey in music: ‘One of my biggest life’s wish was to learn how to play the guitar. I went up on stage in 1990 during a folk festival, and I kept performing in concerts from time to time in different cities in Romania. In 2001, I arrived in Chicago together with my wife, Claudia. In 2006, Bianca, the treasure of our life, showed up in this world. After being away from music for a while, in 2008, I returned to it with my good friend Dan Rizo. In 2010, I got connected through music with Stefan Cristoltean, Dan Paduraru, Dan Matache si Marcel Vinesar. And because nothing just happens without a reason, the music and the positive energy created by our songs, all this united us in one family: Vox Maris Family!...
Cameron Randall

Cameron is a freelance musician and educator based in Chicago, as well as Principal Trombone of the Ohio Light Opera Orchestra. He holds a Bachelors in Music Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a Masters in Music Performance from DePaul University, where he studied with members of the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera Orchestra. He teaches privately across the greater Chicago area and is on faculty with DePaul's Community Music Division and the Illinois Math and Science Academy. He frequently performs as a guest with the Lake County, Firelands, and Mansfield Symphonies, among others.

Mark Sonksen

Grammy-nominated bassist, composer, and educator Mark Sonksen has built a varied career as a working musician equally adept in jazz, tango, chamber, and classical settings. He has performed at clubs and festivals across the USA and internationally, and has recorded and toured with distinguished artists including Ramsey Lewis, Bobby Shew, Diane Schuur, Ira Sullivan, and Ed Thigpen, among others.

As a composer, Mark's work is rooted in the modern jazz idiom while drawing on over three decades of engagement with Hispanic language and culture — from Caribbean music and Argentine tango to Nuevo Tango and folkloric traditions. His compositions have been recognized through City of Chicago CAAP grants, ASCAP/IAJE grants, and ASCAP Plus awards.

Since 2015, Mark has been a member of guitarist Henry Johnson's regular quartet. His discography includes six CDs of original compositions, with a seventh — Words and Music — forthcoming. He can also be heard on the 2016 Grammy-nominated As Dreams Fall Apart, recorded with the New Budapest Orpheum Society.

 

The Artists

Flavius Lucăcel 
A renowned Romanian contemporary artist, Flavius Lucăcel - founder of Lucăcel Art and a remarkable ROCO suporter - brings a deeply meaningful artistic vision blending contemporary painting with traditional craftsmanship. His work uniquely incorporates handwoven canvases and century-old frames, preserving the spirit of his native village while honoring generations past through modern expression.
✨ “My concept combines contemporary painting with traditional craft, using old materials in a new artistic language.” ✨
This weekend at Timeless Vibes:
🖼️ Two original artworks will be available through a silent auction
💛 All proceeds will support ROCO Chicago’s arts and cultural programming
Flavius has been a generous and engaged member of our community, having previously led two inspiring art workshops at ROCO this past December, sharing his craft, perspective, and passion with our audience.
Beyond visual art, his creative voice extends into theater—he is an accomplished playwright with 13 published volumes, recognized with multiple awards and nominations, including UNITER nomination for Best Play.
His presence at Timeless Vibes reflects the very essence of our mission: ✨ Preserving heritage. Inspiring creativity. Connecting generations. ✨

 

Our Partners 

Fir de ie ❤️💛💙

A dedicated curator of traditional Romanian costumes and authentic handcrafted pieces, Fie de Ie helps keep cultural identity alive through artistry, craftsmanship, and storytelling.
Throughout both days of the festival, guests will have the opportunity to:
👗 Explore a curated exhibit of traditional attire
🧵 Discover the meaning and symbolism behind each piece
🛍️ Shop authentic, handcrafted items
Their presence adds a powerful visual and cultural dimension to the Timeless Vibes experience—connecting past and present through tradition.
✨ Culture you can see. Stories you can wear. ✨

 

Transylvania Kitchen 
A long-time sponsor and supporter of ROCO Chicago, @TransylvaniaKitchen brings more than just incredible food—they bring tradition, authenticity, and heart to our community.
This weekend, their contribution will be part of the culinary experience included with your ticket, adding a delicious and meaningful touch to the evening.
✨ Supporting local. Celebrating heritage. Building community—together. ✨

 

Day 1 at a Glance

  • Romanian music across genres—revamped and presented through live performance
  • Multiple local artists on stage
  • Cross-sector and cross-cultural guests invited to attend and connect
  • Small vendors and local businesses featured
  • Traditional costume presentation by “Fir de ie”
  • An art exhibit by Flavius Lucacel and Morgan McCarthy
  • A brief history and cultural context shared by performers to enrich the audience experience.

Day 2 — Sunday

Kids Talent Showcase + Youth Music Celebration

Free event, RSVP and signup required
 A joyful daytime experience celebrating young performers through a kids' talent show featuring vocal and instrumental performances—inviting families to witness the next generation of creativity and confidence.

Sign up for performance HERE

Why This Festival Matters

Timeless Vibes is part of ROCO Chicago’s commitment to building a Chicago where communities stay connected, visible, and engaged. Through arts and culture, we strengthen the social fabric by creating spaces where people can gather, learn, and celebrate together.

For many families—especially those navigating cultural transition, isolation, or new beginnings—events like this become a first step into community connection and civic belonging.

 

Community Partners, Local Vendors, and Small Businesses

Timeless Vibes proudly uplifts local creatives and small businesses by inviting vendors and community artisans to participate. This festival is an opportunity to:

  • Spotlight community talent
  • Build relationships across communities
  • Strengthen local networks and economic activity through mission-aligned cultural convening

Interested in being a vendor or partner? Please email [email protected]

 

Accessibility & Welcome

ROCO Chicago is committed to hosting programs that are welcoming and inclusive. We aim to create a space where families, youth, elders, and guests from all backgrounds feel comfortable, respected, and part of the experience.

 

Let the countdown begin!

Reserve your seats, invite your friends, and come celebrate with us.

Timeless Vibes is a weekend where culture is not just remembered—it is experienced.