Slumgullion

A post by Graham Nash on his official Instagram page today no doubt thrilled Hollies fans around the globe. The photo showed him standing next to Allan Clarke, his life-long friend and fellow founding member of the British Invasion band. Both gentlemen look quite happy. Nash has mentioned working with Clarke on new music, so hopefully, this is a sign the pair will release an album at some point.

Congratulations to Chicago-based alt rock/Americana band Dolly Varden, who are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Forgiven Now at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn even as I write this. Singer-guitarist Heidi Serwer was also on hand, playing songs from her new album Palm Tree On The Drywall.

If You Gotta Go-Go, Go-Go Now, The Go-Go’s tribute album I ordered, arrived in the mail looking like someone at the post office took a sledgehammer to it. Luckily, the disc itself miraculously survived, and I’ve been enjoying this adventurous 24-track compilation. I hope to write a full review in the near future, but for now, here’s an enthusiastic thumbs up.

A great place to celebrate all the super heroes of yesteryear. The 21st Windy City Pulp And Paper Convention kicked off today at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard and will run through Sunday.

Olivia Harrison has a 104-page hardcover book titled Came The Lightening - 20 Poems About George coming out in the fall. It will be available in autographed Collector’s and Deluxe editions from the high-end Genesis Publications, which means they’re gorgeous, well-crafted, and expensive. Both are available for pre-order on The Fest For Beatles Fans website, at $180 and $450, respectively.

Chicago-based alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess will perform an afternoon set at Sketchbook Brewing Company in Skokie on May 22. I’m not sure who wrote the description on Facebook, but it fits the WWSP perfectly: “This avant garde ensemble shares their unique 21st century druid music that's woven with songs about inner light, the natural world, and so much more.” I wish I had come up with that.

 

Fans of indie rock in Chicago will recognize Sketchbook Brewing Company as the site of Pravdafest. The event will mark the 38th year of local label Pravda Records and takes place on the weekend of  June 24 and 25. Pravda recording artists Josh Caterer, Steve Dawson, Hushdrops, Boom Hank, The Slugs, The Service, Diplomats Of Sound, and The Handcuffs are scheduled to perform. Veteran alt rock DJ James VanOsdol will serve as MC. Sketchbook Brewing Company is located at 4901 Main Street in Skokie.

 

Vocalist-guitarist Carla Olson, who formed The Textones in 1978, before moving on to a successful career as solo recording artist and producer, has just released a rampaging cover of The Who’s “I Can See For Miles” on Bandcamp.

Relic, an art exhibition that “explores what Black cultural artifacts and emblems of today will be left behind to reflect our time here and inform the future,” will run through May 27 at Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Blvd. in Chicago. Curated by Ciera Alyse McKissick, it features the work of six artists.

The B-52’s sold out their October 7 concert at The Chicago Theatre, so a second show has been added on October 8. The dates are part of the band's Farewell Tour Play Loud. KC And The Sunshine will be the opening act.

The Chicago History Museum, located at 1601 N. Clark Street, will host the third edition of Night Ideas next Thursday from 6:00 to 11:00 pm. The free, international-themed event aims to bring together the academic, artistic, scientific and civic communities to share ideas.

 

Vocalist-guitarist Mike Skill from The Romantics has a solo gig coming up on May 21 at Liar’s Club on Chicago’s north side. He’ll be joined by fellow Romantic Brad Elvis; Chloe F. Orwell from The Handcuffs (which also includes Brad Elvis); and Ricky Rat from Trash Brats. The opening act that night will be the always-fun rockabilly/garage rock band Amazing Heeby Jeebies.

The House Theatre Of Chicago is presenting The Tragedy Of King Christophe at the Chopin Theatre through May 29. The play features original text by Aimé Césaire and is directed by Lanise Antoine Shelley.

Dag Juhlin and Jason Narducy will be performing a pair of Pete Townshend tribute shows at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights on May 19. In a recent Facebook post, Juhlin drolly wondered if the later gig would “feature more lubricated banter and seth-defying leaps and windmills.”

The Chicago Cultural Center and the American Writers Museum have joined forces to present the American Writers Festival on May 15. More than 70 writers will be at the museum to celebrate American writing. Judging from the online schedule, the event kicks off with a welcome at 10:00 am and runs through the early evening. Admissions is free.