Weekend Reminders

Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention.

“A Thousand Times,” the first single from Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill’s upcoming Long After The Fire album, will be released tomorrow. The song, which is currently featured on the Americana UK website, features a twangy arrangement, along with Peterson and Cowsill’s impressive vocals.

There’ll be some serious kissing of the sky at the Tributosaurus Becomes Jimi Hendrix show at Martyrs’ this Saturday. Tributosaurus has built a loyal following around Chicago via its tributes to famous music acts. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Happy Birthday to Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, the world-famous band I first saw on the small stage of Harlow’s on Chicago’s southwest side. Zander’s emotional delivery on “Oh, Candy” was particularly impressive, and the entire show verified all the predictions that these guys were headed for the big time.

Looks like there are still some balcony seats available for this Saturday’s Poi Dog Pondering show at Chicago’s Athenaeum Center for the Arts. The multi-member band, led by Frank Orrall, sold out its Friday show. Both shows will feature special guests Chicago Poetry Slam founder Marc Kelly Smith, dancer/singer Sophia Sanchez, and The PDP Chamber Music ensemble.

Guster’s We Also Have Eras Tour 2025 will start tomorrow at The Fillmore Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA. Tickets for the band’s show at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago on January 31 are selling fast. Along with performing hits such as “Satellite” and “Amsterdam,” the alternative rock band will present “a deep chronological journey through our music with skits, costume changes, and plenty of piss-poor acting.”

Chicagoans who want to help the victims of fires in California can check out the Wildfire Relief For The Victims Of The Greater Los Angeles Area show being held at Liar’s Club this Sunday. The event starts at 3:00 pm, and will feature The Handcuffs; Jon Langford; Torch The Hive; Death And Memphis; and Ricky Liontones.

Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen have led the Chicago-based, critically acclaimed Americana band Dolly Varden for several years, while leaving time for each to pursue individual art and music projects. Dawson and Christiansen also occasionally perform as a duo, such as their show this Saturday at Jarvis Square Pottery on the city’s north side.

Chicago-based, guitar-powered instrumental band Outronaut will likely showcase its two latest songs, “The Final Beast” and “Riot Flower,” when it performs at at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL this Saturday. Both tracks, as well as earlier released material, are available to download on the Outronaut  Bandcamp page.

This year’s Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival opened last Wednesday and will run through this Sunday at venues across the city. A quick scan of the official website suggests that once again, audiences for this event are in for some wildly imaginative experiences.