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.

First, a warm welcome to everyone who’s in town for the Chicago Blues Festival. The annual event, which started in 1984 and is believed to be the world’s largest blues festival, opens today and will run through Sunday. Admission is free. Opening day is taking place at the Ramova Theatre at 3520 S. Halsted and will feature a panel discussion as well as performances by John Primer (doing a tribute to Theresa’s Lounge) and Willie Clayton. The following three days of the Chicago Blues Festival will be held at Millennium Park downtown, with C.J. Chenier And The Red Hot Louisiana Band; Elvin Bishop Duo; a multi-artist tribute to 55 Years Of Alligator Records; and a Women In Blues Tribute To Mama Yancey and Big Mama Thornton among the many shows. See the official Chicago Blues Festival for the full schedule. Today’s issue of the Chicago Sun-Times includes a very informative piece by Courtney Kueppers on Alligator Records’ 55-year history.

Depending on when you read this, you could still catch EXPO ’76, the eclectic covers band, performing from 6:00 to 8:00 pm tonight at Riverwalk Tiny Tap in downtown Chicago. Two days from now, EXPO ’76 will perform at FitzGerald’s Patio in Berwyn, IL.

Also depending on when you see this, you can catch a performance by Tony Richards from 6:00 to 8:00 pm tonight at the Basil Leaf Cafe. His solo jazz guitar performances have gained a loyal following on the Chicago scene. The venue is located at 2465 N. Clark Street.

The Smithereens, with Marshall Crenshaw as guest vocalist, have a show coming up this Saturday at The Birchmere venue in Alexandria, VA.

Phil Yates of the Chicago-based power pop band Phil Yates And The Affiliates, recently returned from International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool, and has a solo gig coming up at Uncommon Ground - Lakeview this Saturday. The Transference and Joe Dilillo are also on the bill that night.

Phil Angotti And Friends have performed a number of Beatles Brunches around the Chicago area and they have another one coming up this Sunday at noon at FitzGerald’s On The Patio in Berwyn, IL.

International Pop Overthrow regulars (in Chicago and elsewhere) Kerosene Stars will share a triple bill with Kenneth Scott Peters and Lonefeather at the Dan Electro’s venue in Houston, TX this Saturday. Kerosene Stars have been releasing power pop albums since their 2014 self-titled effort.

Josh Chicoine, founder of The M’s’s, has added another new band to his repertoire, to go with the recently formed Cult Canyon. Temp Wishes finds him working with veteran musicians Edward Anderson; Colby Starck; and Glenn Rischke, and they just released a single titled “Flash Fantasy.” The band will make its live performance debut tomorrow as part of a double bill with art pop trio Quasar Wut-Wut at the Hungry Brain venue on Chicago’s north side.

Chicago-based prog rock band McLuhan has been keeping busy since reuniting a few years back, and has a show scheduled at The Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich this Saturday night. 

Montrose Saloon has a Power Pop On Stage event coming this Sunday that will feature The Unswept, Dolph Chaney And The Phins, and Andy Bopp. The music starts at 6:00 pm.

Chicago-based power trio Triple will be part of a four-act showcase at Liar’s Club on Chicago’s north side tomorrow night. Pritchard will get things rocking at 9:00 pm, followed by Triple at 10:00 pm, Bone Bag at 11:00 and Umbra And The Broken Siege at 11:00 pm. Liar’s Club is located at 1665 W. Fullerton.

Veteran Chicago band The Claudettes, whose adventurous music challenges critics as well fans to slap a label on it, will release their next album, Garage Glamour, on Pravda Records tomorrow.

Montrose Saloon has a Power Pop On Stage event coming this Sunday that will feature The Unswept, Dolph Chaney And The Phins, and Andy Bopp. The music starts at 6:00 pm.

Chicago-based singer-guitarist Terry White and The Loaded Dice will share a double bill at Cary’s Lounge on Chicago’s far north side this Saturday night. There is no cover charge.