Incoming

Photo from The Official Smithereens Facebook page.

Best wishes to guitarist Jim Babjak from The Smithereens for a full recovery from the micro discectomy surgery he’ll be having this Wednesday. Hopefully, it will relieve the back lumbar problems he’s experienced for years. The band’s official website states he’s expected to recover in time for their May and June concerts. The Smithereens, with Marshall Crenshaw as their guest vocalist, are scheduled to perform in their home state of New Jersey at a May 25 Memorial Day Weekend gig at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, as well as at the Prairie Fest in Wood Dale, IL on June 28.

EXPO CHGO - The International Exposition Of Contemporary and Modern Art, an annual event that’s a favorite among many art fans, returns to Navy Pier for its 11th year this Thursday and will run through Sunday. The official brochure, which comes with the April issue of the Chicago free publication New City, promises there will be 170 international exhibitors from 29 countries. One of my favorite pieces from previous years was a larger-than-life bust of David Bowie. 

Gerry’s Cafe, which recently opened in Arlington Heights, is promising to give a free small cookie to each customer who comes in wearing something blue during April to support Autism Acceptance Month. 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 added Gerry’s Cafe to our roster of venues for hot beverages, so I’ll have to pick something blue to wear when we visit this week.

Chicago-based power pop veterans Thrift Store Halo now have a cover band side project named Uncle Boogie. Fans can check it out when Uncle Boogie performs at the alliteratively named Lizard’s Liquid Lounge on April 20. I’ve never heard of this venue before, but judging from the photos on its website, it looks pretty cool. Plus, since it’s located at 3058 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago, I could almost walk there from the Metro Irving Park station.

 

The 40th Annual Latino Film Festival opens this Thursday and will run through Sundray at the Landmark Century Center, Davis Theater, and Instituto Cervantes in Chicago. Admission for a regular screening is $15, and a 10-general-admission film passport costs $125.

The UPS for DownS Theatre Company will stage the musical Grease this Thursday through Sunday at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Megan Gray is the director. UPS for DownS  (United Parents Support for Down Syndrome) states the performance “features actors with and without Downs Syndrome, their friends and peers.”

The Bad Examples have a show coming up at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights on April 20. The Chicago band has a number of albums brimming with clever and melodic songs reminiscent of Squeeze.

The Chicago Film Society will present a screening of director Allan Dwan’s 1926 film Padlocked at the Music Box Theatre this Saturday. It stars Lois Moran and Noah Beery, and will be preceded by director Fred Guiol’s 1925 film Flaming Flappers. There will be live piano accompaniment by David Drazin. The Music Box is located at 3733 N. Southport Avenue, in Chicago.