Yes, folks, it’s that time of year when the Illinois State Fair comes a-callin’ and dominates the atmosphere of the local music scene like nothing else.
There’s plenty of live music on our north side fairgrounds, and no matter who or what, where or when, musicians should take pride in knowing that live performances are an integral part of fair time. From the national touring acts at the Grandstand to the local bands getting to play the biggerthan-the-bars sound stages in the beer tents, down to several other spots throughout the grounds, including the Ethnic Village and Lincoln Stage, the music keeps the place humming, and musicians are there to make the humming happen.
With so many different acts at varying times, it’s best you simply go to the Illinois State Fair website and take a good look at the schedule under the “entertainment” tab. When you click on “free stages,” this rather inclusive but not-quite-correct statement will appear after the beer tents and other venues: “A wide variety of shows, contests and talents are in store for you at this free stage.” So to get to the bottom of who is playing where and when, click on each specific venue. I see that the Don Smith Band plays the Twilight Ballroom on Friday, August 17, the Bobby Remack Band is there on Friday, August 12, and on Sunday, August 19 the Gus Pflugmacher Band plays at the Ethnic Village at 5 p.m. Don, Bobby and Gus have all played with their respective eponymous bands for many, many decades at the Illinois State Fair, and you should go see them and ask just how many years and maybe get the real lowdown with a story or two on fair history. Be sure to go get your fill of the fair.
In other fairly-related news, the Curve Inn hosts another year of their South Side Fair, giving folks another option besides the Illinois State Fair, which is, of course, only fair. With Ric Major dialing in the sound system – a guy who likely has more years of running a sound stage board on the fairgrounds than almost anyone else in town – the Curve has a run of regular bands and serves lemon shake-ups (fortified with vodka!) and corn dogs to get the fair flavor going. This week’s highlights include a return of Jack Flash (Hipbone Sam’s Rolling Stones revue) and the Groove Daddies on Thursday, Mr. Opporknockity and Chris Camp’s Blues Ambassadors on Friday, plus The Loops and Big Daddy Jasper on Saturday, with Casper’s Kountry Kustoms on Sunday. Then, for a really unique and special show, on Wednesday, August 15 guitaristextraordinaire David Lumsden hosts a CD/ album release party in honor of his latest recorded work, Hues of Blues, with special guest appearances by a very colorful bunch including Reggie Britton, Greg Pasenko, Mary Jo Curry and Michael Rapier, Wayne Carter, Bill Evans and Steve “the Harp” Mehlberg.
Another weird fair fact is that city bars can stay open until 3 a.m. if they so desire, and that means bands get to play into the wee hours as well, if they dare. I don’t know how you know until you show up what places are open late, but if your heart is willing and your body can take it, go for it! But please, be careful. It’s a jungle out there during the fair.
Now party on, Springfield, because all’s fair in town for the next 10 days.
Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected]