This week we have a large assortment to cover, including anniversaries and inaugurals, a Honky Tonk Circus and a SamJam, a jazz night and an Oktoberfest weekend, plus pet sounds and fancy fiddlin’. So let’s get right to it, shall we?
On Saturday, let the celebration begin as Walnut Street Winery commemorates 10 years of doing what they do, making wine and entertaining the folks. Loren lined up special acts for his special event starting at 12:15 p.m. with Ella Gibson, who played some of her very first gigs at WSW. Then Rickey Meredith does his music-making experience at 2 and Mike Burnett plays at 3:45. Thornhill comes on at 5:30 and Ivas Johns Band takes care of the rest of the night starting at 8. Here’s a hearty “hip hip hooray” to Walnut Street Winery on a decade of business.
This weekend, Frankie’s Brewhaus blocks off Washington Street in front of the bar and throws a party with plenty of German-style foods and all kinds of beer, beer, beer for their fourth annual Oktoberfest. Outside there’s live music by Casper’s Kountry Kustoms on Friday and Sunshine Daydream on Saturday, while Mike Burnett and Friends play inside on both nights.
On Saturday, SamJam Music & Brewfest rolls into the Macoupin County Fairgrounds near Carlinville for a spectacular presentation of music, food and craft beer. Miles Over Mountains starts things off at noon, then it’s ClusterPluck at 2, Chicago Farmer at 4 and The Mighty Pines at 6. Chance McCoy, stepping away from his band, Old Crow Medicine Show, for a solo release, closes out the concert at 8 in support of his brand-new record, Wander Wide. As always, proceeds go to fight neurofibromatosis (NF), an affliction that affects the Sam of the SamJam. There’s plenty of parking and easy access to the stage area with on the grounds overnight camping, too.
The very first Paws-a-Palooza happens this Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Chatham Community Park. Described as an “allday family and pet-friendly event” held in support of “pets and owners, shelters and adoptions, training and welfare” with contests, demonstrations and pet-themed vendors. Live music starts at 3:15 with Josie Lowder, then continues with For the Love of Lennon at 4:45, The Get Down at 6:30 and Groove Daddies at 8. Co-organized by bassist and dog devotee Jeff Cunningham, he says pets are welcome on leashes, and I understand that humans are too, with or without leashes. Fun will be had by all when we pause for a good cause to help out our friends with paws and claws.
The Juvae Jazz Society hosts a Fall Swing Session event at the Decatur K of C Hall on Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m. with Arcadia Dance Orchestra at 3 p.m. and the Kevin Turner Trio plus One at 7 p.m. supplying the live music. Come for dance lessons and stay for the bands any way you want as the JJs have set up different prices for whatever part of the day you can be there to dance, listen, eat and drink.
Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., Hill Prairie Winery hosts a day of feasting and music at the Great American Steak Out. Live music comes to us by way of Dennis Stroughmatt, well-known for his work as a master fiddler and historian of Illinois French Creole and Cajun tunes. On Sunday, his Honky Tonk Circus full band plays fiddle-driven, classic songs from the Ray Price, Western Swing era of country music.
And there’s plenty more where that came from, just check out our listings.
