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, or concert tickets going on sale.

It's Johnny's Birthday. John Lennon would have turned 85 today, and as the multitude of posts across social media clearly illustrate, his goal of world peace, as well as his tremendous talent as a musician, vocalist and songwriter still resonate to this day.

The John And Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Live At The One To One Concert box set is available to pre-order online at the Official John Lennon Store. Recorded live at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 30, 1972, the concert is available in 9 CD + 3 Blu-Ray box set; 4 LP; 2 CD; 2 LP, and 1 CD formats.

Chicago area singer-guitarist Phil Angotti will be joined by musicians Casey McDonough, John San Juan, Tom Ryan, Blair Holmes, and John Perrin for his John Lennon 85th B-DAY Bash this Saturday at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. Guitarist Joel Paterson will be the opening act. Angotti and his mates performed The Beatles song “You Can’t Do That” during a guest appearance on the WGN Morning News TV show earlier today. 

October 9 is also the day John Entwistle, the powerful and inventive drummer for The Who, was born. Back in 1944, in Hammersmith, United Kingdom. Several current-day drummers credit Entwistle as being a major influence on their playing.

As noted on the The Chicago Loop website, the Chicago version of Better Cities Film Festival opens tonight and will run through Saturday at The AMC DINE-IN Block 37 at 108 N. State Street. The schedule features three different screenings each day. Better Cities Film Festival describes its presentations as, “The world’s most inspiring stories about making better cities towns and neighborhoods.”

Patti Smith will release a Horses (50th Anniversary Edition) via Legacy Recordings tomorrow. In addition to the original tracks, it will offer alternate versions and outtakes from the album sessions. Her Horses 50th Anniversary Tour is currently visiting cities in Europe, but will arrive in the USA next month and include concerts at the Chicago Theatre on November 17 and 18. 

Chicago’s long-time indie rockers The Bad Examples will perform at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL this Saturday at 8:00 pm. As often mentioned here on Broken Hearted Toy, lead vocalist-guitarist Ralph Covert creates songs that are reminiscent of the clever and melodic music of Squeeze.

Pravda Records Presents, a showcase featuring three of the Chicago-based indie label’s acts, takes place tomorrow night at Martyrs’ on the city’s north side. Per a recent Facebook post from drummer Brad Elvis, his band The Handcuffs will follow a 7:30 solo performance by Nathan Graham, and Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends will be the closing act.

Chicago singer-guitarist Michael Cohen, along with two like-minded musicians, will perform love songs at an MC3 Swinging On Wing Street gig tomorrow at the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights, IL.