Weekend Reminders

Bee Gees albums montage taken from Phil Angotti Facebook post.

Today’s post is limited to events taking place this weekend that I’ve mentioned previously on Broken Hearted Toy. This gives readers an extra day’s additional notice, and since the events won’t be repeated in tomorrow’s Slumgullion, help streamline my Friday post. I’ve suspected for some time that Slumgullion has become a massive, difficult-to-navigate mix of new information and bits I’ve already mentioned several times. Slumgullion won’t be entirely new. I’ll keep mentioning upcoming events up to and including the Thursday prior to the weekend they take place. I’m hoping to make this a weekly post going forward. Thanks to everyone who reads this blog on a regular basis, or just pays an occasional visit.

Several years ago, Chicago-based singer-songwriter Phil Angotti named his band The Idea in honor of The Bee Gees’s 1968 album Idea. His admiration for the group is just as strong these days, as evidenced by his City Winery Chicago Bee Gees Tribute show taking place this Sunday at noon. Angotti and fellow musicians Casey McDonough, John San Juan, and Kriss Bataille (they’re calling themselves The Christian Lion Hearted Men) will, “take you back to the early Bee Gees catalogue.”

The Northman Riverwalk continues to give tourists and locals an opportunity to enjoy a variety of live music and food outdoors with an impressive view of downtown Chicago. This Friday brings the Blues/Americana band Black Oil Brothers; and Saturday has a late afternoon show by pop/rock artist Ian Leith and an early evening set by indie rock/Americana band Deep Cricket Night. Roots rock/pop band Falling Stars will perform at 3:00 pm on Sunday. The Northman Riverwalk is located on the Chicago River at 233 N. Riverwalk. 

Norah Jones, with special Mavis Staple will perform at Ravinia in Highland Park this Sunday. Jones hit the big time over 20 years ago by blending jazz, pop, and soul on her Come Away With Me album, and has remained a successful recording artist ever since. Her latest release is titled Visions. Rhythm and blues icon Staples does an awesome job of delivering the inspirational message on her new single "Worthy" and has numerous critically acclaimed albums to draw from.

The Chicago-based, self-described new wave band Sonic45 has a Record Release Party coming up on Saturday at SPACE in Evanston for its second album Supersonic. Sonic45 comprises sports broadcaster/musician/songwriter Len Kasper, along with Chicago music scene veterans Matt Spiegel (also a sportscaster); Liam Davis; Gerald Dowd; and Dag Juhlin. Sunshine Boys, the Chicago-based band that released two impressive albums (and also features Juhlin), will be the opening act for that SPACE Record Release Party.

FitzGerald’s Outdoors, a summer series at the Berwyn music venue will feature The Big Star Quintet this Saturday night. Original Big Star member Jody Stephens will be joined by Jon Auer from The Posies; Chris Stamey from The dB’s; and Pat Sansone and John Stirratt from Wilco.

There will be good rocking at FitzGerald’s the night before The Big Star Quintet as well, when Chicago indie rock band The Handcuffs perform an On The Patio gig on July 12. It will be their first live show in three months.

Chicago-based hard-edged power pop band Go Time! will have several albums to choose songs from it performs this Friday at The Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville. Roundhouser and Dead Freddie are also on the bill that night.

Long-time Arlington Heights venue Jimmy D’s District has an outdoor music event titled Jimmy D’s Fest On The Patio coming up this Friday and Satuday. It’s located at 1718 W. Northwest Highway.