April, Rock She Will

Along with showers, April usually brings the simultaneous arrival of three or more significant events on the Broken Hearted Toy calendar. This year, the month kicked off with the added bonus of Cheap Trick releasing a new album and performing at Metro. The 14th Annual CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights was held last Saturday. Three days from now, This Path Tonight, Graham Nash’s first solo effort in years comes out, packaged with a DVD of live performances from his 2015 tour. And starting tomorrow, things get truly hectic—and fun.

Especially if your taste in music and film leads you away from the mainstream. If you’re willing to delve into the cultures of far away lands, and take pride in hunting down one-of-a-kind vinyl treasures. To experience all of it, you’ll need funds, transportation, or possibly a TARDIS from Doctor Who. This is the week of CIMMfest, International Pop Overthrow, and Record Store Day, along with a suburban newcomer called Vinyl Spectacular.

CIMMfest is once again offering a global selection of films; concerts; film/concert combos; and special presentations at venues around the city, starting tomorrow and running through Sunday. The opening night festivities, presented with WXRT at the Music Box Theatre, include a screening of The Smart Studios Story, and after-show performances by the bands Catherine and Negative Examples. The Smart Studios Story is a documentary about the legendary Madison, WI recording studio run by Butch Vig and Steve Marker that counted Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Vig’s own band Garbage among its clients. Check out CIMMfest website for this year’s full schedule.

International Pop Overthrow returns to Chicago on Thursday with the first of 13 multi-band showcases it will be holding through April 23 at the Red Line Tap. Several longtime Broken Hearted Toy favorites are participating, including Ellis Clark And The Big Parade; The Red Plastic Buddha; The Viaducts; The Abbeys; The Webstirs; Tommi Zender; Phil Angotti; Trolley; The Bon Mots; The Unswept; and The Romeros. Check out the IPO website (which has links to all the acts involved) and plan ahead.

Record Store Day takes place this Saturday, April 16. As usual, the selection of limited-edition releases spans across every known genre of music. This year’s crop includes rare vinyl from The Animals; Big Star; David Bowie; Johnny Cash; Cheap Trick; John Coltrane; Dave Davies; Bob Dylan; Alejandro Escovedo; The Electric Prunes; Fleetwood Mac; Buddy Guy and Junior Wells; EmmyLou Harris; Lush; The Monkees; The Move; Graham Nash; the Nuggets Hallucinations - Psychedelic Pop Nuggets double-album of Various Artists; and Warren Zevon/The Flamin’ Lips. Check out the official site for the complete list. Also, watch for in-store performances at Reckless Records; Reggies; Laurie’s Planet Of Sound; Val's Halla; and other venues.

Vinyl Spectacular runs from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM this Sunday at Wolff’s Flea Market at 1775 N. Rand Road in Palatine. A half-page ad in the April edition of the Illinois Entertainer promises 45s, LPs, CDs, DVDs, bargain items, rarities and 2016 Record Store Day releases. There will also be musical instruments and audio equipment for sale. Admission is $1, and people who dress up like their favorite rock star get in free.