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 will go on sale soon for several Graham Nash concerts, starting with the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, CO on July 7. The tour will run through October 9, including stops at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, IL on July 21 and Ravinia in Highland Park, IL on July 26. Check the official Graham Nash website for the full schedule, and to learn which concerts will have special guests.

Guitar-driven, local rockers Outronaut promise to deliver Psymphonic Surf-Noir Crime-Jazz during tomorrow’s show at the Side Bar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. The adventure starts 8:30 pm.

The Zombies’ lead vocalist Colin Blunstone still draws rave reviews 60+ years after the band emerged from the British Invasion scene. He’ll likely find more critical acclaim during his UK Believe In Miracles Tour, which kicks off this weekend and will run through May 28.

Go Time! has a release event for its latest effort Eleven coming up this Saturday at Montrose Saloon. The title reflects how many albums the Chicago band has released over its extensive career, with this being their second on the noted power pop label Kool Kat Musik. Led by vocalist-guitarist Scott Niekelski’s distinctive vocals, the band specializes in hard-edged, emotional songs that bridge the gap between hard rock and power pop.

That Go Time! album release event will have special guests: The Spindles, who’ve released two albums of impressive power pop; and Chicago club veterans The Long Goodbye, who promise an eclectic mix of covers and originals.

As noted in the May edition of the Illinois Entertainer, new albums due out tomorrow include Remember The Humans by Broken Social Scene; Born To Kill by Social Distortion; and Look For Your Mind! by The Lemon Twigs.

I just received the latest copy of Shindig! in the mail, with The Lemon Twigs as the cover story. The English magazine describes band members Michael and Brian D’Addario as “The Young Saviours Of Guitar-Pop.”

Chicago club scene veterans (and all-around fun bands) Vinto Van Go and Phil Yates And The Affiliates will share a double bill this Saturday night at the Illuminated View Works venue. The music starts at 9:30 pm; Illuminated View Works is located at 6186 N. Northwest Highway in Chicago.

Chris Stamey from The dB’s has recorded his own version of The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset,” which is now available on various streaming sites. Vinyl lovers will get their chance to purchase the seven-inch colored-vinyl edition tomorrow. The record has a rendition of the Paul McCartney-penned Mary Hopkins 1969 hit single “Goodbye” on the B-Side.

Music On Stage, which has been staging plays in Palatine, IL for some time now, will perform Lionel Bart’s Oliver! starting this Saturday and running through May 24 at Cutting Hall. Billed as “freely adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist,” the musical features book, music, and lyrics by Lionel Bart. Cutting Hall is located at 150 E. Wood Street in Palatine.

If you know a Mom with a gypsy spirit, consider treating her to the noon Mother’s Day Brunch - The Songs Of Stevie Nicks presented by PureSoul at City Winery Chicago. PureSoul has presented several tribute events at this venue.