Dad’s big weekend
NOW PLAYING | Tom Irwin
We have so much going on this week I don’t even have time or space to… The SOHO washout last Saturday sure disappointed hundreds of folks, including musicians, fans, charities and organizers. Looks like good luck comes on Friday, June 13, from 5 to 9, as the ribbon cutting event for the new BOS Plaza (between the PCCC proper and the parking garage) hosts a “SOHO After Party” with live music by Dave Littrell. National touring concerts begin in the space with Brett Eldredge on June 27 and the Under the Sun Tour featuring Uncle Kracker, Smashmouth, Blues Traveler and Sugar Ray on June 29. Tickets purchased this weekend for these events will benefit SOHO to the tune of a $10 donation per ticket.
Our good friends at the Blacksheep Cafe continue to expand and enhance opportunities for all-age shows in a safe and sober environment. This Friday and Saturday they host a big-time music festival held at Blacksheep and its Southtown neighbors, Dumb Records and Skank Skates. The event has some 40 bands from here, there and everywhere, mostly of the DIY punk and hardcore genre, but also including indie, folk, noise, metal and rap performers. You can find all the info at the well-kept Blacksheep website.
The blues always play well in Springfield and this week is no exception when the Illinois Central Blues Club hosts an all-day festival Saturday, from 2 to 10, outside, at the K of C Hall at Iles and Meadowbrook. Featuring area bluesters Monica Morris and Josie Lowder, Robert Sampson and the Gumbo Band, Black Magic Johnson and Danville’s Susan Williams Band, plus headliners Rick Estrin and the Nightcats from San Francisco, the event continues indoors with an open jam, around 10, after the outdoor music is over. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for a pleasant day out of doors, but if inclement weather intercedes, the festival will move inside.
Also good blues news brings Selwyn Birchwood, a phenomenal new talent on Alligator Records to the Alamo Blue Monday jam on June 16, just two days after his set at the famed Chicago Blues Fest. Next week, Birchwood hooks up with Rick Estrin, headliner at our ICBC festival this Saturday, for a couple of shows in Nebraska. How about that for some blues traveling?
Check out the fun and wholesome (Hah!) Fridays Follies Burlesque Show this Friday at Donnie’s Homespun featuring a trio of sassy lassies, the Randy Dandies from St. Louis. Our very own Blue Ribbon Revival opens and closes the show, becoming the bread in a burlesque sandwich. The gals promise a night of “shimmy shaking badonka-donks, musicmaking honky tonk, and tassel twirling funk” for a carnival of carnal delights. Whoopee!
On Saturday at Donnie’s Homespun, Alejandro Escovedo returns as a Bedrock 66 Live! concert performer with Texas singersongwriter Betty Soo opening at 8 p.m.
Escovedo has a 30-year history of incredible songwriting covering punk, cowpunk, rock and just plain good music all the way. Often working with a rocking band, this tour presents pure Alejandro with a guitar, accompanied by violinist Susan Voelz, telling his stories and singing his songs.
The incredible Sam Riggs and the Night People play Thursday, June 12, at Guitars & Cadillacs. Sam, recommended and mentored by the great Ray Wylie Hubbard, rolled through town not long ago, but you’d better catch him now as he is blowing up on the big scene.
The good folks at the Curve Inn continue with a terrific music lineup including Pop Quiz Hotshot on Thursday, Tiny Miles, rockabilly and blues from Chicago on Friday and the Roughnecks party on Saturday featuring KFD for a St. Jude’s benefit.
There is so much music I can’t even….
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
