Weekend Reminders

Usually, my Weekend Reminders post appears on Thursday, and focuses on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Due to the holiday this week, I’m serving it a day early.

Black Friday Record Store Day, the post-Thanksgiving celebration of vinyl releases, will soon be upon us. As always, it’s best to get to your favorite record store early since those limited-edition vinyl treasures go quickly. The list, which includes records by The Band; Cage The Elephant; Alice Cooper;  Miles Davis; Devo; Billie Eilish; Fleetwood Mac; Grateful Dead; George Harrison; Billy Idol;  B.B. King; Led Zeppelin; Randy Newman; Ramones; and many other artists, can be found on the official RSD website, As usual, there’s something to please fans of just about every genre.

The Easter And Gang Play Let’s Active concert led by founding Let’s Active member Mitch Easter taking place this Saturday at The Ramkat in Winston - Salem, NC is now sold out. The band’s entire catalog has been newly remastered and will be released on streaming sites this Friday.

The adventurous seven-piece Chicago band McLuhan and the edgy acid/political folk duo Esmeralda’s Boys will share the bill at Phyllis’ Musical Inn this Sunday. In addition to performing their own material—including the brand new single “The Biker In The Park”—McLuhan will play covers of songs by Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, and Social Distortion. There’s no cover charge, but management suggests a $15 donation. Phyllis’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division Street.

Performances of The Lyric Opera Of Chicago’s A Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness will run through this Sunday. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan worked with Lyric boss John Mangum on creating a piece “based on arranged and orchestrated music” from the Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness album.

Chicago-based/world traveling drummer Brad Elvis mentioned on his Facebook page that he’ll be filling in on drums when TAFKAVince Band (The Artist Formally Known As Vince) performs at the Black Friday Rock And Roll Bash at LiveWire on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Also referred to as the Turkey Sandwich Day Bash, the event will feature The Midnight Calls and Viceroy as well. The music starts at 9:00 pm.

Fans of The BoDeans can be grateful to City Winery Chicago for offering four opportunities to catch them over this Thanksgiving weekend. The indie rock band has one show on Friday, two shows on Saturday, and one show on Sunday. Over the years, the BoDeans have given us gems such as “Closer To Free,” “Fadeaway,” and “Good Things.”

Finally, here’s hoping everyone has a pleasant Thanksgiving holiday.