Slumgullion

The Smithereens have a long history of performing in the Chicago area. I’ve seen them at street fests alongside Wrigley Field and in Lincoln Park; at City Winery in the West Loop; at theaters in Schaumburg and St. Charles; and in my hometown of Palatine, where guitarist Jim Babjak gave me a Smithereens 30th Anniversary guitar pick. The band is known for greeting fans as if they were best friends after its shows. Sadly, we lost lead vocalist-guitarist Pat DiNizio a while back, but The Smithereens have continued to perform, using a rotating corps of veteran singers. Marshal Crenshaw, who’s released a number of worthy albums in his career, will be on hand when The Smithereens return to City Winery Chicago on Saturday, July 31. That’s not exactly my birthday, but it’s close enough to be part of the celebration.

That will be a busy weekend for bands that specialize in highly melodic rock, because The BoDeans have a gig on July 30 at The North Shore Center For The Performing Arts in Skokie.

Musician/artist Ronnie Wood has a pop-up store at 56-57 Carnaby Street in London. It’s  open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday – Saturday through July 31. He’ll be selling original artwork, limited editions, illustrated Rolling Stones setlists, and box sets.

The Spindles, Go Time!, and Crown Vic Royal will share a triple bill tomorrow night at the Brauer House in Lombard.

Director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary Summer Of Soul opened in theaters, and is also now available to watch on Hulu. The film combines vintage footage of Sly And The Family Stone, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Stevie Wonder, The Fifth Dimension, and other acts from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival with commentary from current musicians as well as those who performed at the event.

It looks like Yes frontman Jon Anderson will have the honor of being the first act to perform at The DesPlaines Theatre in suburban Des Plaines. Onesti Entertainment, which also runs The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, has done some extensive renovations at the former movie house, and has eight events lined up for August and September. Anderson performs on August 19; followed by Firefall and Pablo Cruise on September 3; Stryper and KIX on September 11; Tower Of Power on September 17; Geoff Tate on September 18; Violin Femmes/Femmes Of Rock on September 19; Freddy Jones Band on September 24; and Dokken with Hoodlum Johnny on September 25.

The people behind Record Store Day continue their 2021 altered schedule with RSD Drop #2 next Saturday, July 17. The 45th Anniversary Edition of Jon Anderson’s Olias Of Sunhillow LP will be among the limited-edition vinyl offerings; so if you buy a copy you could see if he’ll sign it at his DesPlaines Theatre gig. RSD Drop #2 will also include releases by The Allman Brothers Band; Beastie Boys; Canned Heat; The Clash; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; The Cure; Dave Davies; Miles Davis; The Dirty Knobs; Bob Dylan; John Fogerty; Aretha Franklin; Rory Gallagher; Peggy Lee; Love; The Monkees; Randy Newman; Sinead O’Connor; Pearl Jam; John Prine; Richard Pryor; Suzi Quatro; Queen; The Ramones; Lou Reed; The Rolling Stones; St. Vincent; The Selector; Small Faces; Chris Stamey And The Fellow Travelers; The Sweet; Ultravox; War; and Amy Winehouse.

The Millennium Art Festival at Lake Street and Michigan Avenue also takes place next weekend, so if you check out the RSD Drop #2 at Reckless Records, you can then head just a few blocks over to take in some paintings, photographs, and sculptures. The Millennium Art Festival is one of the smaller annual art fairs, so you could even work in a few other activities, like checking out the recently reopened Chicago Cultural Center on Washington Street.

Chicago jazz scene veterans Liquid Soul have a gig at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights next Saturday, July 17. On July 20, Hey Nonny’s staff gets to put on a show, starting at 7:30 pm. Other upcoming events at Hey Nonny include a Blues Brunch With Li’l Ed on July 24; Steve Dawson and Friends on August 17; and Jason Narducy on August 25.

There will be a Fox Fest Benefit Concert for Chicago bass player Tim Fox at Martyrs’ on July 25. The entertainment will be Tributosaurus Becomes Steely Steely Dan, as well as Chris Siebold and Psycles. Looking further into the future, Phil Angotti and Friends will perform an 81 Songs For 81 Years John Lennon Birthday Bash at Martyrs on October 8.