Slumgullion #89

Back in town. Photo from Dot Dot Dot Facebook page.

Dot Dot Dot has its origins in my hometown of Palatine, but travels the nation performing its catchy synth rock originals as well as the occasional cover version. The band comes back home for Thanksgiving with a Black Friday gig tonight at the Bottom Lounge just west of downtown Chicago. Murley Shertz, Wayland, and Heavy Sugar are also on the bill. The show kicks off at 8:00 PM. Dot Dot Dot is also a Black Friday sale on its website on all four of its EPs and some t shirts.

Pat DiNizio recently posted on his Facebook page that The Smithereens will be performing live on the nationally syndicated radio show Rockline next Wednesday, November 30th. The show can be heard at 7:00 PM. Hopefully, they'll be performing more songs from their impressive new CD, Smithereens 2011 than they did at a Chicago Concert I caught last summer.

SOPRO presents its 29th Annual Thanksgiving All Star Blues Revue tomorrow night at The Voodoo Lounge on 79th Street in Burbank, Illinois. The lineup includes longtime Chicago favorite and globetrotting guitarist-vocalist Joe Jammer. The critically acclaimed jazz band The Chicago Horns will also be performing, along with artists vocalist Deb Seitz, Vocalist France Marie, guitarist Frank Anastos, keyboards player Greg Wolfman, guitarist-vocalist Billy King, harmonica player-vocalist Doug Lee, guitarist vocalist-vocalist Joey Drada, bassist John Falstrom, drummer and drummer Scott Bonshire. They will be champagne and special prize giveaways.

Listeners tuning in to Breakfast With The Beatles on WXRT last Sunday were given a treat when host Terri Hemmert played an acoustic version of John Lennon’s “Across The Universe” that was recently recorded by singer-guitarist Steve Dawson of Dolly Varden and singer-guitarist Phil Angotti. Dolly Varden and Angotti will be honoring another Beatle this Sunday night as part of A Tribute to the Quiet One: George Harrison at the Old Town School Of Folk Music. The event features Steve Levitt & The Beatles Ensemble, Midnight Moxie, Shelley Miller & Women’s Rock Ensemble, The Janes, and several other performers. Tickets are $12, the show starts at 7:00 PM.

Performer Sam Magdal will be channeling Ol’ Blue Eyes when Durty Nellie’s in Palatine presents its sixth annual Sinatra And Pasta benefit for Journeys from PADS To HOPE on December 1st. There’s a $15 admission and organizers would also like the people who are coming to bring a few non-perishable food items. In addition to veteran Sinatra impersonator Magdal, there will be an all you can eat pasta buffet and raffle prizes. Call 847-217-1845.

Over 80 recording artists are helping Amnesty International celebrate its 50th Anniversary by contributing to Chimes Of Freedom. The CD is due out on January 24th and contains 75 recently recorded Bob Dylan songs. Some of the acts involved include Joan Baez, Elvis Costello, Ziggy Marley, Jeff Beck, Seal, and Pete Townshend.