Incoming

Photo from the Official David Bowie Facebook page.

In honor of what would have been David Bowie’s 77th birthday, here’s a clip of his hit single “Blue Jean.” Also, as WXRT radio personality Annalisa noted on her show today, there is now a street in Paris, France that is named Rue David Bowie in his honor.

Chicago-based David Bowie tribute act Sons Of The Silent Age posted a video on its Facebook page yesterday asking fans to pick the songs they’d like to see SOTSA perform this Saturday night at Metro. There are several choices listed in alphabetical order for the event, which is titled David Bowie: Future Legend. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the NorthShore HealthSystem Foundation to help people overcome cancer. Actor-musician Michael Shannon will also take part, playing the songs of Brian Eno.

According to a photo caption in today’s Chicago Tribune, January 7 was International Silly Walk Day, an occasion inspired by the “Silly Walk” skit that aired on Monty Python’s Flying Circus decades ago. Even if thousands participated around the globe, I doubt any of them could improve on Python member John Cleese’s awesomely silly high stepping.

The name of local band The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club always strikes me as Pythonesque, and they’ll be joined by Rolling Numbers; Golden Richards; and Things That Fly this Saturday night at Montrose Saloon for a celebration titled Rock N’ Roll High School - 50th Year of The Ramones. The live show is being sponsored by WNUR FM radio program The Power Pop Shoppe and will offer a mix of Ramones covers and original songs by the participating acts. Montrose Saloon is located at 2933 W. Montrose on Chicago’s north side.

An exhibit titled Give Peace A Chance - The Art Of John Lennon will open this Friday at Gallery725  in Jacksonville, FL and run through January 22. Admission is free, and all the art being exhibited will be available to purchase. There will be champagne receptions on Saturday, January 13 and Sunday, January 14.

Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein will release a new Sleater-Kinney album titled Little Rope on January 19. That’s the same day Saviors by Green Day comes out.

Singer-songwriter Steve Dawson, who’s drawn critical acclaim as a solo artist as well as a member of the Chicago-based bands Dolly Varden and Funeral Bonsai Wedding, will perform with Alton Smith, Brian Wilkie, John Abbey, and Diane Christiansen this Saturday at Constellation in Chicago. The venue is located at 3111 N. Western Avenue.

Tickets are now on sale for a February 28 performance by the six-piece band Oh Yes! at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights that will benefit the recently opened Gerry’s Cafe. The cafe’s motto is Changing Lives One Cup At A Time and is staffed by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. My wife Pam and I recently added Gerry’s Cafe is our roster of venues for hot beverages.

And for those across the pond: The all-star charity event Teenage Cancer Trust At The Royal Albert Hall takes place at the esteemed venue March 18 through March 24. The scheduled performances are The Who With Orchestra And Very Special Guests Squeeze on March 18 and 20; Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds With Very Special Guests Blossoms on March 21; Young Fathers Plus Special Guests (TBD) on March 22; The Chemical Brothers Plus DJ Paul Holroyd on March 23; and Ovation, which is described as A Celebration Of 24 Years Of Gigs For Teenage Cancer Trust with: Roger Daltrey, Kelly Jones, Robert Plant With Saving Grace, Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder, and Paul Weller. Tickets go on sale this Friday. There are all kinds of really cool merch, including t-shirts and prints, for those who can’t make the trip to London but would love to support this worthy cause.

According to the official website for the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, the special presentation of High Fidelity scheduled for January 18 has been postponed. John Cusack, who starred in the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Nick Hornby based on Hornby’s popular novel High Fidelity, had been scheduled to take part in the screening. The Auditorium website states, “All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date once announced.”