Saturday, February 26, 2022

Saturday Slumgullion


Sunshine Boys drew a packed house for their first-ever show at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights last night, drawing from the two albums they released over the past four years. Through two sets of about 10 songs, vocalist-guitarist Dag Juhlin, bassist-backing vocalist Jacqueline Schimmel, and drummer Freda Love Smith were obviously having a great time. As in past Sunshine Boys shows, Juhlin offered a wry sense of humor with his between-song comments, but was on fire during the politically charged “Schoolyard Bully” and “The Serpent In Spring.” “I just came here to sing the headlines back to you, folks,” he quipped to an appreciative crowd.

The feminist superhero tale “Infinity Girl” and the band’s revved-up take on the traditional protest song “Joe Hill” were also rendered with force and conviction. Sunshine Boys dont often perform cover versions, but their rollicking take on R.E.M.’s “Moral Kiosk” suggests they could easily add a few more to their live sets. The evening included a pair of new songs soon be released as digital singles, and ended on a powerful note with “Only A Million Miles.”

Jim Belushi made a surprise appearance at the annual My Sweet George George Harrison tribute at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue last night. The actor/musician joined Ellis Clark, Ken Mottet, Phil Angotti, and The Pepperland Rockestra for some energetic harmonica playing on “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby.” Other highlights included an epic “Bangladesh” featuring lead vocals from Gerald McClendon. This might sound like I was able to visit Martyrs’ as well as Hey Nonny last night, but alas, public transportation wouldn’t enable me to accomplish that. I saw the Belushi and McClendon clips on Facebook. Maybe a few more clips will show up in the next few days. At any rate, I’m sure the evening was a total success.


Singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn of “If I Had A Rocket Launcher” fame will bring his 50th Anniversary Tour to the Old Town School Of Folk Music on March 10 and 11. Other concerts coming up at the venue include Todd Snider on March 19; Ladysmith Black Mambazo on March 20; David Bromberg on April 2; and Robin Hitchcock April 21.


Women Of Soul continues its run at the Mercury Theater on Chicago’s north side through March 6.


One of Chicago’s most ambitious art shows, EXPO CHGO - The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Artcomes to Navy Pier April 7- 10.


The Dropkick Murphys will bring their St. Patrick’s Day celebration to the world via a free live stream performance at the House Of Blues Boston. The concert starts at 9:00 pm EST, and will find the band entertaining the hometown crowd with songs from their latest album, Turn Up That Dial. Fans can show their appreciation by making donations to The Claddagh Fund


Brothers’ Field in Love Grove, IL will present Fire And Ice, a choreographed music event featuring the Lake County Symphony Orchestra String Quartet and professional dancers, on March 12. The 90-minute show will be held in the main ballroom at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Tickets are available at the Brothers’s Field website.

 

Tickets are now on sale for the Chicago Soul Doubleheader featuring vocalists Gerald McClendon and Theo Huff on March 18 at SPACE in Evanston.


Tickets are also available for the EXTC - XTC’s Terry Chambers And Friends show on March 30 at City Winery Chicago. Chambers was a founding member of the eccentric and beloved British band, and he’s backed by veteran rockers Steve Tilling, Steve Hampton, and Matt Hughes.


Australia’s veteran garage rock/power pop band Hoodoo Gurus will release their 10th full-length album, Chariot Of The Gods, on March 11. There will be a global e-stream preview the night before at 8:00 pm AEDT / WST / PST / EST / GMT) that will also allow fans to talk to band members online. Tickets for the preview event are $8 in American money and can be purchased from the emusic website. 

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