Weekend Reminders

Weekend Reminders on 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.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for Sons Of The Silent Age - The Cracked Actor Cabaret on April 23 at City Winery Chicago straight west of the downtown area. These guys have been impressing audiences around town with their David Bowie tribute for years; this particular event will feature them performing stripped down arrangements of his songs.

Happy Birthday to Joe Shanahan, whose several years of running the Metro venue in Wrigleyville has made him one of the Chicago music scene’s best known players. He’s particularly respected for his support of upcoming alternative rock acts. All that, and he’s a pretty good DJ as well.

The Smithereens will perform at The Des Plaines Theatre in downtown Des Plaines, IL at 8:00 pm tomorrow night, with John Cowsill as the guest lead vocalist. If you take the Metra train there, a walk across the street will bring you to the venue’s front door. The Smithereens have long been an impressive live act, with catchy rock gems such as “Blood And Roses,” “Behind The Wall Of Sleep,” “Only A Memory,” and “A Girl Like You.” Cowsill has been singing with The Smithereens on a semi-regular basis, and this time he’ll be joined by his wife, Bangles vocalist-guitarist Vicki Peterson. The duo released their debut effort Long After The Fire last September.

Bandcamp Friday returns tomorrow, which means the downloading site waives its share of sales on music purchases for 24 hours. As noted in a recent Bandcamp email, it “sends even more money directly to the artists and labels you support.”

Tickets are now on sale for Bob Dylan’s Rough And Rowdy Ways World Wide Tour, which will begin its journey on March 21 at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha, Nebraska. Other dates include the Coronado Theatre in Rockford, IL on March 28 and the Genesee Theatre in Waukeegan, IL on March 30.

Longtime Chicago rockers Kevin Lee and The Kings will share a double bill with Billy and The Vintage Saints on March 21 at The Chicago Loop Sports Bar in Streamwood, IL.

As noted by Chicago Sun-Times journalist Mary Houlihan in her weekly column The Mix (always a good source for entertainment listings), Black Ensemble Theater on the city’s north side will present The Jackie Wilson Story this Saturday through April 26. Black Ensemble Theater is now celebrating its 50th season.

The Oddball Art Labs will celebrate its 13th anniversary with a Year13 Opening Reception from 6:00 to 9:00 pm this Friday at the Side Street Studio in Elgin, IL. Oddball Art Labs is devoted to promoting the arts in Chicago area suburbs.

Chicago-based country and western performer Kent Rose has an 11:00 am – 1:00 pm performance coming up at the City News Cafe this Saturday, with percussionist David Sims as his special guest.