Sunday Papers

Should I ask for this for Christmas? I don’t think I could wait that long.

When I noticed the September issue of MOJO at Barnes and Noble had a feature story on The Hollies, I had to buy it even though I subscribe to the U.K. magazine and will probably receive a copy in the mail within a week. Still, I couldn’t take any chances since writer John Aizlewood’s career-spanning article with interviews is embellished with some terrific photos. Although there was nothing concrete, I was particularly drawn to some quotes from Graham Nash and Tony Hicks regarding the possibility of a classic Hollies reunion of Nash, Hicks, Bobby Elliott, and Allan Clarke.

Graham Nash has a new photography book titled A Life In Focus coming out November 16. It will include his photos of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Bob Dylan, along with copy written by Nash about several of the photos. I don’t see this book on his official website yet, but it’s available to pre-order on Amazon.

The four members of ABBA, one of the acts inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame the same year as The Hollies, have definitely reunited. Voyage, their first album in 40 years, is due out November 5. According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, some virtual concerts will begin in London on May 27, 2022.

I’ve never seen ABBA perform live, but I thoroughly enjoyed a tribute show by the Chicago band The Webstirs with guest vocalist Holly Senchak Dausch from Metropolly several years ago. Holly’s ability to cover both Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad’s vocals was even more impressive considering she and Metropolly did a bang-up job as Hole the previous year. The Webstirs and Metropolly are both still going strong.

Sonic Youth founder and solo artist Kim Gordon will be performing next Friday, September 10, at Thalia Hall. In related news, Gordon has joined forces with award-winning journalist Sinéad Gleeson on a new book titled This Woman’s Work: Essays On Music that’s due out in April, 2022.

Daryl Cloran’s swinging London interpretation of As You Like It will run from October 6 through November at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. The production will feature several Beatles songs.

Happy Birthday to Tammi Sonnen, an avid supporter of Chicago’s vibrant music scene, and someone I’ve enjoyed speaking with a few times at International Pop Overthrow showcases. Have a fun time celebrating.

The multi-talented Carla Hayden, whose resume includes co-founding the Black Forest Theater Company and the whitewolfsonicprince alt-rock band with James Moeller, currently has an art show at the Brothers K Coffeehouse in Evanston. All her paintings on display through September 30 will be available for sale. Brothers K is located at 500 Main Street.

The Elgin Fringe Fest kicked off this past Thursday, and will run through September 12 in the city’s downtown area. This year’s event will be held in person and virtually.

I’ve just renewed my subscription to The Chicago Reader, choosing the $50 ‘Be A Revolutionary’ option, which will bring a print version of the twice-monthly publication to my door, and as a pdf to my email address. I’m happy to support a publication I’ve been reading for decades. 

The Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts will return to Broadway, between Belmont and Hawthorne, next weekend. In addition to 250 juried artists, some of Chicago’s best music acts will be performing. Singer-songwriter Rachel Drew has a 2:00 pm set on Saturday; Sunshine Boys perform at 5:00 pm, immediately followed by the copy band EXPO ’76 at 6:30. Those of us who keep track of Dag Juhlin’s multitude of bands will see him performing back-to-back starting with Sunshine Boys. Eric Chial, who’s also been known to play in a few bands in addition to running Montrose Saloon, will be performing at the Lakeview East Festival Of The Arts when Decoy Prayer Meeting takes the stage at 4:30 pm on Sunday. See the website for this event for the full music schedule.

The 36th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest takes place next Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, on Dearborn between Polk Street and Ida B. Wells Drive. The festival features well-known authors—National Book Award winner Ta-Nehisi Coates is this year’s headliner—and vendors selling new and antique books, as well as independent writers and small publishers promoting their work.

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights will return to indoor performances when it kicks off its 2021-2022 season on September 16 with Shout! The Mod Musical. The show runs through October 30.

My wife Pam and I dropped by the Long Grove Shopping District yesterday morning just its annual Irish Days festival was getting underway. We were there to watch The Academy of Irish Music perform on the outdoor stage, and as always, they put on an inspiring show. It’s not possible to watch these talented young musicians without thinking of the late Noel Rice, who served as The Academy’s driving force for so many years. Irish Days continues at Long Grove through Labor Day, with live music, dancing, food, and drink.

A tribute to the late Joe Camarillo will take place September 26 at The Hideout Inn on Chicago’s north side. Participating acts include Hushdrops, Waco Brothers, Nora O’Connor. Camarillo played drums for several local acts, and was well-liked and highly regarded by those he worked with. The event starts at 6:00 pm.

Cutting Hall will stage a grand reopening event on September 25. That’s also opening night for Theatre Nebula’s production of Something Rotten! - A Very New Musical at the Palatine venue. Tickets are available from the Cutting Hall box office online.

In other good news for my humble village, the restaurant and live music venue Madcats is coming to the former Mac’s On Slade location, and Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters plan to open a location in the Palatine train station.Welcome to them both.

Shemekia Copeland, Cedric Burnside, and Black Joe Lewis And The Honeybears will headline the Berwyn Blues Festival when it takes place September 21 – 26 at the FitzGerald’s venue. Other acts scheduled include Thornetta Davis, Jackie Venson, Zach Person, Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials, and Joanna Connor Band.

The Chicago Comics: 1960s To Now continues its run through October 3 at the Museum Of Contemporary Art. The exhibit features work by Lynda Barry, Nicole Hollander, Heather McAdams, Chris Ware, Chester Gould, and several other influential artists.

Television historian Jim Engel will host a Remembering Garfield Goose fundraising event at the Kenosha Public Museum in Kenosha, WI on September 17. Doors open at 5:30 pm and there will be 90 minutes of food and games before the presentation starts. Proceeds will help Kenosha Community Media.