Incoming

Photo from the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Facebook page.

Sunny Afternoon, the UK play based on the music of The Kinks, has jumped across the pond and will open this Friday at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The original story, music, and lyrics are by Ray Davies; with a book by Joe Penhall; and direction by Edward Hall. It will run through April 27.

On a related note, Chicago Shakespeare Theater is joining with Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Court Theatre, Definition Theatre, and The Understudy Coffee And Books to “bring free and discounted theatre programming to Chicago teens during the week of CPS Spring Break.” 

The Experience Hendrix 2025 Tour comes to the Chicago Theatre this Friday. Performers will include Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Marcus King; Christone Kingfish Ingram; Zakk Wylde; Eric Johnson; Devon Allman; Samantha Fish; David Hildago and Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos; Dweezil Zappa; Ally Venable; and Dylan Triplett.

The Chicago Women Of Color Puppetry and Performing Arts Fringe Festival will wrap up its run at the Zhou B Art Center this Saturday. The event is being held on the 4th floor of the Women of Color Theatre and includes performances, workshops, and discussions regarding the artists’ work.

Garcia’s Chicago, a new Jerry Garcia-themed concert and restaurant venue will open this Friday in the former Wishbone restaurant location at 1001 W. Washington in the city’s West Loop. Grahame Lesh And Friends featuring Daniel Donato and Nicki Bluhm will perform Friday through Sunday. See the official website for upcoming shows through November.

The recently released single “Bullet Proof” is the first new music we’ve heard from Chicago rock scene veterans Kevin Lee And The Kings since 2022. The hard-edged song takes aim at high society via Lee’s strong vocals and a guitar-driven arrangement. Fans can check it out on Soundcloud.  

Lorraine Hansberry’s award-winning play A Raisin In The Sun ends its run at Chicago’s Court Theatre this Sunday. The venue is located at 5535 S. Ellis.

The Handcuffs will have vinyl LP copies of their impressive album Burn The Rails (complete with a bonus 7" single) when they perform at Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL on March 29. It’s the Chicago band’s first show of 2025, and will be part of a double bill with the local rockabilly quartet Dirty Fishnet Stockings. The Handcuffs’s set starts at 8:00 pm, and will include a few new songs they’ll be recording soon for their 5th album.

The Classic Albums Series continues at Reggies this Friday with Phil Angotti performing The Byrds’ Fifth Dimension album and Niko performing Billy Bragg’s Talking With The Taxman About Poetry. The music starts at 8:00 pm. Reggies is located at 2105 S. State Street, just south of downtown Chicago.

A day later, the above-mentioned Phil Angotti will perform Bob Dylan songs at Reclaimed Bar, which is located at 3655 N. Western in Chicago.

Wisconsin-based Americana rockers The BoDeans, who have given us gems such as “Closer To Free,” “Fadeaway,” and “Good Things,” will perform at the Des Plaines Theatre in downtown Des Plaines, IL this Friday.

Great Moments In Vinyl, a rotating collection of area musicians devoted to honoring famous LPs and rock and roll artists, will perform the music of The Cars on this Thursday at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue.

Long-time Chicago-based power pop band Thrift Store Halo will make its 2025 performance debut on Thursday at Montrose Saloon. They’ll be joined by Dolph Chaney and The Phins and Rent Party.