Slumgullion

So, you’re a tourist with big plans for this weekend in Chicago. A visit to the Museum Of Contemporary Art for the only American stop of the critically acclaimed David Bowie Is exhibit and later, a brisk evening downtown beside the river for Redmoon Theatre’s The Great Chicago Fire Festival. If you’re willing to travel a bit, you’ll find the Ravenswood ArtWalk and/or the West Town Art Walk. At some point on Sunday, you’ll settle into one of the city’s posh restaurants, raise a glass of champagne, and toast my wonderful wife Pam and me on our 18th Anniversary.

Happy Anniversary, Sweeeeeeetie! Thanks for setting up this blog for me.

Better late than never. Pam and I have sold a number of photos from our October 5, 1996 wedding album to People Magazine, for a special issue they’re doing on us in the near future.

As for The Great Chicago Fire Festival, it will take place on the Chicago River between State and Columbus tomorrow night at 8:00 PM. There will also be a pre-show Neighborhood Bazaar, featuring food, art, and entertainment, starting at 3:00 PM in Pioneer Court and AMA Plaza. NOTE: This event may be affected is there is a steady rainfall tomorrow night.

The opening reception for the 13th Annual Ravenswood ArtWalk (AKA RAW) takes place tonight at the Ravenswood Event Center, at 4025 N. Ravenswood. Admission to the reception is $10.00. The ArtWalk takes place tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. See the official website for a map and list of participants.

The 4th Annual West Town Art Walk, on Chicago Avenue from Milwaukee to Western, runs tonight from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Organizers promise there will be visual art, music, and food.

And now on to other fascination regarding arts and entertainment around the globe.

It’s Johnny’s birthday, it’s Johnny’s birthday. Terri Hemmert, host of Chicago radio station WXRT’s  weekly program Breakfast With The Beatles will present a a special birthday tribute to John Lennon this Sunday from 8:00 to 10:00 AM.

The 4th Annual CHIRP Record Crawl takes place this Sunday. For $5.00, the CHIRP Trolley will transport pilgrims to stops at Permanent Records, Dusty Groove Records, Reckless Records, and Laurie’s Planet Of Sound. Check-in is at 10:30 AM at Groove Distribution at 346 N. Justine Street.

Don’t keep this secret. On next Friday, October 11th, The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will field a dream team of bands that are longtime masters of the catchy, guitar-driven rock song. The Smithereens, The Romantics, Tommy Tutone, and Marshall Crenshaw have given the world “Blood And Roses,” “What I Like About You,” “867-5309/Jenny” and “Someday, Someway,” respectively and they’ll all be on the same bill. Brad Elvis, whose long history of performing in Chicago bands includes The Handcuffs, Big Hello, The Elvis Brothers, and Screams, is currently the drummer for The Romantics.

A great Christmas present for that Cheap Trick fan on your list. Speaking of the Arcada Theatre, the venue recently announced that Cheap Trick frontman Robin Zander will be doing a solo gig (backed by a band) there on December 20th.

The Beverly neighborhood on Chicago’s south side will be holding its very first Art Walk next Saturday, October 11th from 2:00 to 7:00 PM. The event kicks off at the Beverly Arts Center, located at 2407 W. 111th Street. According to the official website, the event’s goal is “to celebrate the art and artists in our community and to showcase the venues and businesses that support the arts.” On a personal note, my talented niece Allison Flamm will be showing one of her pieces at the Beverly Art Walk.

Karen Gillan fans curious about Not Another Happy Ending, the UK rom-com she starred in after leaving Doctor Who, could sign up for the We Are Colony website and get access to a special behind the scenes look at the film. Not Another Happy Ending will come out on DVD in America some time in 2015. Meanwhile, Gillan’s new American sitcom Selfie premiered on ABC TV this past Tuesday, and was met with generally favorable media coverage.

The Second Disc website recently reported on a new 3-CD box set from The Monkees that’s coming out in November. The Monkees - Super Deluxe Edition will include a whopping 45 previously unreleased songs.

The Beatles tribute band Get Back will headline an evening of copy tunes at The Abbey Pub on October 16th. Also on hand will be the Phil Angotti-led Beachwood Park (The Zombies); Guns And Ammunition (The Clash); and Frank Canino (Roy Orbison). 

A campaign is underway to have a statue honoring Brian Epstein established in his hometown of Liverpool, and its organizers are seeking funding from Beatles fans around the world. The movement will soon have a theme song composed by Bob Pitt and produced by Billy Kinsley of The Merseybeats. Several musicians, including Joey Molland of Badfinger and Billy J. Kramer, have signed on to help with the recording.