Incoming

Wild Honey, the west coast organization that’s so nice in putting on all-star concerts to benefit worthy causes, is presenting The Lovin’ Spoonful – A Celebration Of The Music this Saturday night at The Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. Original band members John Sebastian, Steve Boone and Joe Butler are participating in the tribute concert, along with several pop, power pop and indie rock musicians, including Micky Dolenz, Dave Alvin, Carnie Wilson, Dennis Diken, Susan Cowsill, Marshall Crenshaw, Don Dixon, Marti Jones, Elliot Easton, Darian Sahanaja, The Three O’Clock, Carla Olson, Wednesday Week, and Annette Zilinskas. The event will benefit The Autism Think Tank.

Congratulations to Ellis Clark, Ary Paloma Jeebie, and the Martyrs’ music venue on Lincoln Avenue for staging another successful George Harrison Birthday Tribute last Saturday night. The annual event involves local musicians, and is at its best when several of them are on stage at the same time. In addition to Ellis and Ary, participants who performed during the two hours I was there included Phil Angotti; the Sandalwood Sitar Ensemble; Chloe F. Orwell, Phoenix; Jay Goeppner; Thom Klein, and Kenn Goodman. Proceeds from the event will help fund the MusiCares charitable organization.

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier will present a poetic and pop music mashup when director Daryl Cloran’s adaptation of As You Like It returns on April 30. Originally conceived by Cloran and the Bard On The Beach Festival at CST’s Courtyard Theater, As You Like It is described in the company’s brochure as a “high-spirited, music-filled adaptation [that] infuses Shakespeare’s comedy with hit songs of The Beatles.” It runs through June 21, and tickets are already on sale.

Regular customers of Chicago’s long-running record store Dusty Groove on Ashland Avenue might want to check out the Chicago premiere of director Danielle Beverly’s film Dusty Groove: The Sound Of Transition. The premiere takes place at the Chicago Cultural Center this Friday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. Described as “a documentary about love, loss, and our deep personal connection,” it will be available for streaming and on DVD in June.

Be a celluloid hero. The Chicago International Film Festival is accepting entries for its 2020 event, which runs from October 14 through 25. The Early Bird Deadline is April 6; Regular Deadline is June 15; and the Late Deadline is July 6.

Emma Draves and Project Bound Dance with guests Nine Worlds Music Ensemble will present The Nearest Place at 7:30 this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night at Links Hall on Western Avenue on Chicago’s north side.