Inspired by true events and set in Aurora, Illinois in the early 1980’s, “The Death of Aliza Willett” is a Midwestern Gothic folk opera that follows high school seniors Aliza (the victim), William (the failed protector), Benjamin (the useless boyfriend), and Sarah (the best friend) as they are pulled into the fight between heaven and hell, angels and demons… 

Locations referenced:
Angel of Linden Avenue Maple tree – 435 Linden Avenue Aurora, IL 60505
Our Lady of Good Council – 620 Fifth St, Aurora, IL 60505
Rusty’s Grocery Store – 801 Jackson St Aurora, IL 60505
Buy Rite – 443 S 4th St, Aurora, IL 60505
Bardwell School – 550 S Lincoln Ave, Aurora, IL 60505
Philips Park – 1000 Ray Moses Dr, Aurora, IL 60505
Mt Olivet – 278 Ashland Avenue Aurora, Illinois 60505
Hurds Island – North Avenue in the Fox River Aurora, Illinois


Moving to Chicago (Benjamin)

Work of Singer/Songwriter Elowen Gaines.

Formed in the shadows of a Midwestern University in the mid nineties, the Nabokov Project is the ongoing work of singer-songwriter mw gargo. Previous incarnations have included the membership of Dave Pollock (spoken-word vocals), Ted Leslie (percussion), Thea Morton (cello, guitar, and keys), and mw gargo (vocals, guitar, bass, violin, computer, and keys). Many of the early songs on/in these pages were part of former collaborations. With the death of Ted Leslie, the "band" ceased and continues on today as the alt, lo-fi project work written & recorded by mw gargo.