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.

Tomorrow brings the release of The Zombies’ Begin Here (their very first album) as a remastered in the original 1965 mono mix version in LP, CD, and digital formats. It will combine all the tracks from the English and American original versions and be released on their own Beechwood Park Records label.

The official Record Store Day website has a full list of all the vinyl treasures that will be available this Saturday. See my earlier post today for a brief profile on this year’s Record Store Day 2026.

Solo artist/founding member of The dB’s Chris Stamey will get a head start on Record Store Day tomorrow when he releases a colored-vinyl picture-sleeve seven-inch single with a cover version of The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” on one side and a Paul McCartney cover on the other.

Depending on when you read this, you could still catch Courtesy Patrol tonight at Friendly Tap in Berwyn, IL. The group’s Facebook page vows they’ll “bring you musical joy in all forms - classics, deep cuts, and beyond…,” at no charge. The joy begins at 8:30 pm.

Peter Howarth from The Hollies has three acoustic solo shows scheduled for this week in the UK. He’ll perform at the Chapel Arts Centre in Bath on Thursday; Settle Victoria Hall in Settle on Friday; and at Kirkby Stephen Sports And Social Club in Kirkby Stephen on Saturday. Keep in mind you can always come to visit us in the States, Peter.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago opens tomorrow night at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side, and will run through April 25. I posted previews of the Friday and Saturday showcases earlier this week. I’m hoping to create previews for all the IPO - Chicago 2026 showcases as the festival gets closer. Wish me luck.

The Chicago Soul Jazz Collective will showcase their latest album No Wind And No Rain with a 7:30 show this Saturday at Winter’s Jazz Club, and with a 5:30 pm show at that same venue on Sunday. Winter’s Jazz Club is located at 465 N. McClurg Court, three blocks west of Navy Pier.

The Second Summer will perform at The Village Club in Western Springs, IL this Saturday night at 7:00 pm, as the opening act for cover band Toxic Crayon. The power pop band recently posted a new single titled “I Should” on Spotify.

The 42nd Latino Film Festival opened today at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Chicago’s north side and will present 51 features and 31 shorts April 27.

Steve Dawson, Marian Runk, and Evan MacMillian will present a Songwriters Showcase tomorrow night at the Val’s Halla Record Store in Oak Park, IL. The event starts at 7:00 pm. admission is $10.

Cheap Trick will perform the entire At Budokan album, along with a hearty selection of greatest hits tomorrow and Saturday at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV.

Ratboys will wrap up their massive When The Sun Explodes US Tour with a concert this Saturday at The Vic Theatre in their hometown of Chicago. As with at least 13 previous stops on this tour, Saturday night’s show is sold out. Ratboys recently snagged a rave review in the British rock magazine MOJO for their Singin’ To An Empty Chair album.