Slumgullion

Brad Elvis knows vinyl.

The 14th Annual CHIRP Record Fair And Other Delights, a benefit for CHIRP - Chicago Independent Radio Project, takes place tomorrow at the Local 130 Plumbers Union Hall at 1340 W. Washington in Chicago. Loads of vendors will be on hand, offering an amazing selection of records, CDs, DVDs, and posters. Admission from 10:AM to 6:00 PM is $7; early admission from 8:00 to 10:00 AM costs $25, with readmission allowed all day.

As if all those records weren’t enough, Brad Elvis and Chloe F. Orwell from the Chicago-based indie rock band The Handcuffs will play every rare, precious, and beautiful picture-sleeve seven-inch single from their massive record collection. That’s not entirely true, but they will serve as DJs starting at 5:00 PM.

Steven Wright will bring his unique and consistently funny observations to The Arcada in St. Charles tomorrow night.

Marshall Crenshaw and his frequent collaborators The Bottle Rockets will be at the Old Town School Of Folk Music tomorrow night.

Patio Theater on Irving Park Road will unleash a Sci-Fi Spectacular starting at noon tomorrow, promising “Over 14 Hours Of Sci-Fi Insanity.” Matt Wedge and Kristin Kreepkrull will serve as hosts, and the lineup includes Blade Runner; Galaxy Quest, West World, and The Man Who Fell To Earth. Tickets are $25 at the door.

Former Chicago Tribune writer Mark Caro begins his Is It Still Funny? series next Tuesday night at the Music Box Theatre on Chicago’s north side. Each week through May 3, Caro will host the screening of a popular comedy, and determine if it has stood the test of time. The chosen flicks are National Lampoon’s Animal House, Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, The Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup, and the Farrelly brothers’ Something About Mary. General admission is $12, $10 for Music Box members.

In last Saturday’s Slumgullion, I mentioned former Chicago Reader rock critic Bill Wyman’s interesting article in a recent edition of New City about his coverage of the 1993 Chicago alt rock scene. Two of the biggest names from that era will share the bill next Thursday, April 14 at The Civic Opera House. The Smashing Pumpkins will perform In Plainsong: An Acoustic-Electro Evening with special guest Liz Phair.

Pssst: It’s The Posies! The Seattle-based band led by Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow is taking an unusual route in promoting and even selling its new album Solid States. The Posies will perform a series of pop-up concerts at small, non-music venues that won’t be revealed until 24 hours before showtime. Solid State will only be available at these events. A lots of the dates, including the one in Chicago, have already sold out. Auer and Stringfellow did add shows in the Los Angeles, so hopefully Chicago fans will get another shot as well. Check The Posies’ Facebook page for developments.

Divercity, a collection of solo performances by artists, writers, and actors with disabilities, will be presented by Tellin’ Tales Theatre next Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17, at Prop Thtr on Elston in Chicago. Tickets can be ordered at the Tellin’ Tales website.

The Graham Parker Duo (Parker and British pub rock pioneer Brinsley Schwarz) have a gig coming up at FitzGerald’s on April 20.

The 47th Annual Art Fair at North Shore Unitarian Church will take place on Saturday, April 23 from 10 to 6 and Sunday, April 24 from 11 to 5. Over 50 artists will show their work, and admission is free. The church located at 2100 Halfday Road (Route 22) in Deerfield.

Anyone who’s still in a buying frenzy after Record Store Day next Saturday can trek out to Palatine Sunday for the Vinyl Spectacular at the Wolff Flea Market.

Congratulations to Cheap Trick on being inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame tonight. The other 2016 honorees are Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller, NWA, and Bert Berns.

This coming week is one of the most important on the Broken Hearted Toy calendar; with International Pop Overthrow, CIMMfest, and Record Store Day all hitting around the same time.