Slumgullion

A new digital restoration of Jonathan Demme’s Talking Heads documentary Stop Making Sense will be screened in movie theaters across America starting tomorrow. In his review in today’s Chicago Tribune, critic Michael Phillips frets that his exuberant praise might read like a press release, but I’m familiar enough with Phillips to trust his integrity. Plus, I saw Stop Making Sense when it came out in 1984, when it was already awesome. So, his review makes perfect sense.

The Heartland Songwriters Midwest Tour, featuring Steve Dawson, Adam Reichmann, John Wendland and Andy Ploof, opens in St. Louis next Wednesday. Three more dates will follow, with the last being at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL on October 8.

Tickets went on sale today for the Patti Smith and Her Band concert at The Salt Shed on December 27. 

The 10th Annual Beverly Art Walk takes place tomorrow from noon to 5:00 pm in Chicago’s south side Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods. I wasn’t sure how many artists will be involved (other than my niece Allison), but Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Houlihan’s always-helpful column The Mix yesterday puts the number at 150.

Speaking of reliable sources of information regarding local entertainment, the current issue of the Chicago Reader offers its annual Fall Theatre And Arts Preview. You can grab a copy of the long-running free newspaper in those yellow metal boxes downtown or in record stores and entertainment venues.

Peter Gabriel’s i/o The Tour will bring him to Chicago at the United Center on September 30.

Singer-guitarist Michael Cohen promised to serve up new selections from the great American songbook, along with some Everly Brothers hits tonight at the Tuscan Market in downtown Arlington Heights. But if you missed that show (sorry for such late notice), he’ll be at the Northman Beer And Cider Garden on the Chicago Riverwalk tomorrow from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

 

The first U.K. screening of The Zombies documentary Hung Up On A Dream will take place on November 4 at The Barbican Centre in London. It’s part of the Doc’n Roll Film Festival 2023.

Meanwhile, The Zombies’ North American Different Game Tour begins on October 1 in New Westminster, BC. They’ll be in Chicago at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on October 15. Fans can also check out The Zombies’ official website for an interview lead vocalist Colin Blunstone did with Mistress Carrie on her podcast.

The Brian Setzer Rockabilly Riot! show comes to The Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on October 7.

Spirit Power: The Best Of Johnny Marr, a collection of tracks from the former Smiths guitarist is coming out on November 3, and is now available for pre-order. I can think of a number of songs he’s recorded that would qualify.

Just to show I cover all aspects of the entertainment biz, here’s a note on the 26th Annual Badger Marble Show being held at Comfort Inn And Suites in DeForrest, WI this Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Yes, marbles like the ones baby boomers remember playing with and trading in their childhood days. Admission is free.

Filmmaker Ethan Silverman’s Marc Bolan documentary Angelheaded Hipster had its nationwide preview across England yesterday. The film includes clips of Bolan performing and interviews with him, as well as interviews with Elton John and Ringo Starr. Silverman also filmed musical interpretations by Nick Cave, Joan Jett, Macy Gray, U2, Lucinda Williams, and other music acts. It’s not clear when or if Angelheaded Hipster will be released in America.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti is having a vinyl LP release show for his latest album Once Around Again tomorrow night at the Blue Island Beer Company. Ralph Covert, of The Bad Examples and Ralph’s World fame, will be his special guest. Blue Island Beer Company is located at 13357 Old Western Avenue in Blue Island.

Long-time Brit hit makers Squeeze and The Psychedelic Furs will be performing at the Salt Shed in Chicago this Sunday.

Chicago filmmaker Michael Smith and cast member Shaina Schrooten will be on hand at The Den Theatre twice this weekend to discuss his Paper Planes movie as part of Haven Chicago’s Festival au Cinema. The event will offer 20 independent films; admission is $10 for each day.

Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO, the indie musician’s Electric Light Orchestra tribute album, is now available to pre-order on Bandcamp. It due out in November but a third song (to go along with  “I Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” and “Don’t Bring Me Down”) is now available to preview. “Telephone Line” can now be heard on various streaming sites.

There will be a lot of mind-altering sounds going on this Sunday when the 21st century druid band whitewolfsonicprincess; space age lounge jazz band The Leisure Committee (descriptions courtesy of the bands themselves); and The Flying Chaucers (a duo comprising Daniel Connolly & Keralee Froebel perform from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Custer Street Oasis in Evanston. It’s near the La Principal restaurant.

Reeling 2023 - The 41st Chicago LGBTO+ International Film Festival kicked off last night and will run through October 8 at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema at 2828 N. Clark Street and Chicago Filmmakers at 1326 W. Hollywood Avenue. The Chicago Latino Film Festival is partnering with Reeling to co-present 10 Spanish-Language & Iberoamerican films.

Poi Dog Pondering frontman and solo artist Frank Orrall and Nora O’Connor from The Flat Five will be performing at City Winery Chicago tomorrow night, along with Max Crawford, Paul Von Mertens and Sophia De Leon Sanchez.

The Singers Talk, Jason Thomas Gordon’s new book honoring the essential role lead vocalists play in creating music, is now available for purchase. All royalties will benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through their Music Gives to St. Jude Kids campaign. An amazing number of well-known singers across several genres were interviewed for this work; including Tony Bennett, Roger Daltry, Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples, Bruce Springsteen, Chrissie Hynde, Smokey Robinson, Joan Jett, Emmylou Harris, Ann Wilson, Michael Stipe, Leean Rimes, Norah Jones, Aaron Neville, Rod Stewart, and Jeff Tweedy.

The 41st Annual Chicago Music Awards ceremony, hosted by Ramonski Luv and Lady Lunchabell will take place at 7:30 pm on September 30 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center. A VIP Red Carpet Arrival hosted by Dana Divine starts at 6:00 pm; general admission will be at 7:00 pm. The Harold Washington Cultural Center is located at 4701 S. King Drive.

Sky People Entertainment will present The 5th Annual Indigenous People’s Day Chicago Arts And Music Festival on October 8 and 9 at The Chop Shop on North Avenue in Chicago. Admission is free but reservations need to be made in advance. Digging Roots; Keith Secola; Novalima; Opliam; Raye Zaragoza; One Way Sky will be among the performers.

Carla Olson, the singer-guitarist known for fronting the Americana rock band The Textones, as well as for her successful solo career and collaborations with Mick Taylor from The Rolling Stones and Gene Clark from The Byrds, has a new album coming in October titled Have Harmony, Will Travel 3. Clark is once again onboard, along with Jonathan Lea, who performs with The Jigsaw Seen and The Dave Davies Band. Former Hollies lead vocalist/current solo artist Allan Clarke co-wrote two songs with Olson and provides guest vocals on the album. Have Harmony, Will Travel 3 is available to pre-order on Amazon. The first single “Face To Face” has been picking up airplay on independent radio stations.

The Chicago-based Congo Square Theatre Company, now in its 25th year, recently presented the rolling world premiere of Inda Craig-Galván’s Welcome To Matteson. Directed by Ericka Ratcliff, the production runs through October 1. Congo Square Theatre Company is located at 1016 N. Dearborn Street in Chicago.

Here’s an event for those who plan their itinerary a year in advance and don’t mind traveling overseas. (Unless you already live in the U.K.) The Record Collector and Mantle Brewery sponsored Fruits de Mer and Sendelica 20th Dream Of Dr Sardonicus International Festival Of Psychedelia will take place on August 2 – 4, 2024 at The Cellar Bar in Cardigan. Man, Astralasia/Mushroom, Sendelica, Pinhdar, Custard Flux, Moon Goose, The Fertility Cult, Babal, Z-Machine, Elfin Bow, SPWCI, Reuben’s Daughters and DJ Benway will be performing. All for the mind-blowing ticket price of £75.

The Mother Z’s, a Chicago alt rock duo comprising siblings Andy and Becca Palmer, has returned to the recording studio after a lengthy hiatus and will release a new six-song album titled Rest It Straight on their Bandcamp page on October 6. The first single, “Non, Merci” shows the Palmers still have their touch for quick rhymes and clever wordplay, and will be available to download on September 22.

Congratulations to L7 on already selling out four of the eight dates of their upcoming December Australia and New Zealand tour. More recently, the band enjoyed a visit from Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl at their performance at The Black Cat Club in Washington, D.C. 

Here comes the son. Tickets are now on sale for Dhani Harrison’s concert at the Omeara venue in London on October 18.

Congratulations to author Tommy Orange, whose crime heist novel There There has been chosen by One Book, One Chicago this year.

Shiiine On Weekender 2023, which is being billed as “An Indoor 3 Day Festival With Accommodation Included,” will be held November 17 – 19 at the Butlin’s Minehead Arena in Somerset, England. Scheduled acts include The Wonder Stuff; Inspiral Carpets; The Primitives; Martin McAloon Of Prefab Sprout; Miki Berenyi Trio; and Stereo MC’s.

The Des Plaines Theatre in downtown Des Plaines, directly across from the Metra station, will present the Pink Floyd tribute Echoes Of Pompeii on September 28.