Slumgullion

Musician Chris Ligon and artist Heather McAdams will host their annual Chris and Heather’s Country Calendar Show tomorrow night at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. The freewheeling event celebrates the arrival of McAdams’ Heather’s L’il Country Calendar, an eye-popping item overflowing with her fun illustrations of country music and rock and roll stars. Copies will on sale at tomorrow night’s show, which will feature 12 acts covering well-known Country and Western musicians. Performers—with the act they’re covering in parens—include Andrew Sa (Merle Haggard); Jodee Lews (The Osborne Brothers); Hillbilly Frolic (Dave Dudley); Kelly Hogan (Elvis); The Lawrence Peters Outfit (Bill Anderson); Nora O'Connor and Amalea Tshilds (Skeeter Davis); Steve Zahradnik (Merle Travis); Jane Baxter Miller and Kent Kessler (Marty Robbins); Scott Ligon (Jimmy Driftwood); The Country Doctors (Norma Jean); The Saturn Kings (Carl Perkins); and The Northside Southpaws (Cousin Jody). The party starts at 8:00 pm, General admission is $35. 

Phil Manzanera’s upcoming memoir Revólución to Roxy is now available for pre-orders at the A Way With Media publishing company. In a Facebook post yesterday, Manzanera described it as “a very special book detailing my remarkable family history as well as my Roxy Music years, my work with Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Heroes del Silencio and much more.” Revólución to Roxy is due out in January, and there’s a Special Limited Edition Book that comes in a clam shell case with a 10 track CD that includes five non released tracks.

Trouser Press Books, the publisher whose Trouser Press magazine delighted cutting edge rock fans from 1974 to March 1984 (I still have copies), will celebrate the magazine’s 50th birthday with a ‘best of’ collection book in March 2024. In the mean time, Trouser Press is posting a different magazine cover each day on social media.

Over 100 artisans will be on hand when the Holiday Edition of The Chicago Artisan Market takes place indoors tomorrow and Sunday at 4325 N. Ravenswood Avenue. Organizers view the event as a boost for small, locally owned businesses, and shoppers will find a selection of jewelry, cards and gifts, food, and clothing. 

Robyn Hitchcock will be at the 4-Star Theater in San Francisco on January 4 to introduce a new Syd Barrett documentary, and play a few of Barrett’s songs. Two days later in that same city, Hitchcock will perform with musician Kelley Stoltz at the sold out Syd Barrett Birthday Show at The Chapel venue.

Nuggets - A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of The Nuggets Compilation, the multi-artist  charity event staged earlier this year at Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA by Paul Rock’s Wild Honey Foundation, along with writer/producer Lenny Kaye and Rhino Records, is now available on DVD and Blu-ray for a $30 donation. As with past Wild Honey events, several well-known musicians were involved, including members of the 1960s garage rock bands The Count Five, Chocolate Watchband, The Seeds, Love, and The Electric Prunes. Other participants included Susanna Hoffs, Elliot Easton, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Kathy Valentine, Darian Sahanaja, Carla Olson, Debbie Shair, Evie Sands, Daryl Hooper, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, and Peter Case. A post on the Wild Honey Foundation Facebook page states payment can be made.

The long-running Famous In The Future comedy group is staging a 90-minute show titled A Judy Christmas each night this weekend at The Den Theatre on Chicago’s north side. The concept involves transporting a live audience back to the days when variety shows ruled night-time TV on the three major networks. Cast member Desiree Burcum portrays Garland and describes the show as a festive romp, explaining, “The audience enters a ‘live’ CBS studio in 1963 and they get to experience the behind-the-scenes madness and a glimpse into Judy's own mind as she tries to produce this twisted Christmas special.” 

John San Juan, who’s known as a founding member of The Hushdrops, as well as for performing with various bands around Chicago, has a solo show coming up at The Hideout on December 29. He’ll share the bill with Depravos De La Mour and Outronaut.

The Lemonheads’ December 29 and 30 shows at SPACE in Evanston, in which they’ll celebrate their It’s A Shame About Ray and Come On Feel The Lemonheads albums respectively, have sold out. Tickets are still available for their New Year’s Eve Extravaganda gig at the venue. SPACE is located at 1245 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. In other Lemonheads news, lead vocalist-guitarist Evan Dando will be selling his paintings during the Got A Black Marker! series at Liar’s Club December 27 through December 31. The first night will feature a reception with cocktails. There will also be live music by Dorian Taj, Taylor Morse, and other guests. Liar’s Club is located at 1665 W. Fullerton on Chicago’s north side.

Michael McDermott’s Mischief and Mistletoe show takes places on December 21, 22, and 23 at City Winery Chicago.

Nelikona Cafe, a new venue in my cozy hometown of Palatine, has two holiday events this weekend. Tomorrow, it’s the Mini Christmas Market and Bake Sale from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm, with candles, jewelry, pastry and cookies; and on Sunday, it’s the Christmas Carols And Live Music And Sing-Along from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Nelikona Cafe is located at 45 N. Bothwell Street in Palatine. Note: the venue doesn’t have its new sign up yet.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago veterans The Unswept have a gig at Montrose Saloon coming up on Wednesday, December 20. Described in their bio as native Brits who moved to Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, they’re masters of catchy pop music and have a knack for crafting clever lyrics. 

Patti Smith and her band, including her fellow legend Lenny Kaye, will perform at The Salt Shed on December 27.

The Foundation To Be Named Later, the baseball/entertainment charity organization run by former Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox mastermind Theo Epstein and his brother Paul, is currently holding its ’23 Holiday Auction to raise funds. Bids start at $50, and many items offer the Buy Now option, with prices ranging from $300 to $3,000. Nabbing that $3,000 item will get you VIP tickets for Noah Kahan’s sold out Fenway Park concert on July 18. Other Boston area concert options (with less expensive price tags) include Grace Potter; Jason Mraz; Green Day and Smashing Pumpkins; Dropkick Murphys; Foo Fighters; and the Def Leppard, Journey and Heart concert. There are some Chicago and New York special events to bid on as well.

The critically acclaimed Beautiful: The Carole King Musical runs through December 31 at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire

Stompin’ Grounds Cafe in Lake Zurich, IL has a special Winter Music Night featuring the Space N Time this Tuesday night, December 19 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

Chicago’s long-running alternative publication The Reader recently announced the list of nominees for its 2023 Best Of Chicago poll in an online newsletter sent out to subscribers. The choices are divided into the seven major categories of Arts And Culture; Buy Local; Cannabis; City Life; Food And Drink; Music And Nightlife; and Sports And Recreation. Each of these is further broken down into several smaller categories. Voting kicks off on December 13 and will continue through January 14.

The Goodman Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol opens tomorrow and will run through December 31.