Abbie Fest 27 Preview

The man at the center of the mayhem. Photo from Rich Cotovsky’s Facebook page.

Mary-Arrchie, a storefront ensemble with close to three decades of critically hailed in-your-face productions, will hold its Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins festival this weekend, August 14th - 16th. The annual event involves veteran and fledgling groups from across Chicago’s vibrant theatre community gathering at the Mary-Arrchie’s 735 W. Sheridan Road home base. It has almost been around as long as the theatre itself, having sprung to life just two years after Mary-Arrchie was founded.

Once again, the official kickoff will be a hippie-infused rally in Daley Plaza at 2:00 PM on Friday afternoon. This will lead to a march to the Mary-Arrchie Theatre at the corner of Broadway and Sheridan Road, just south of Irving Park Road. Artistic Director Rich Cotovsky will once again resurrect his impersonation of Yippie leader Abbie Hoffman. I’ve seen the Opening Ceremony several times, and it’s simultaneously spooky and fun how he emerges from a casket after being brought onstage by a fervent team of cast members.

Each year, Cotovsky/Hoffman oversees a chaotic and virtually nonstop barrage of drama, comedy, music, and performance art that he jokingly concedes he shouldn’t be able to pull off. But somehow he always does. I performed there for 20 years with the Famous In The Future comedy group, and I’ve continued to go every year since. The participants develop a sense of community among themselves, as well as with the audience members who have become Abbie Fest regulars.

  

This year, Famous In The Future will present a mix of skits and songs titled Organic Free-Range Non-Genetically Modified Comedy on Saturday night. They’re the only group other than the Mary-Arrchie to have participated in every single Abbie Fest; FIF founder Frank Carr and Rich Cotovsky are the only performers who have managed that feat. Also on Saturday, Abbie Fest veterans Black Forest will present their latest original avant garde comedy piece And Now. Mary-Arrchie will perform Arlene Cook’s Gas Mask 101 and Matt Borczon’s Wild Dogs, both of which are showcases for the theatre company’s hard-edged approach.

Other performers include Rush Pearson; The Plagiarists; Dramageddon; Democracy Burlesque; Revolution Theatre; Iguana Productions; Indie Boots Theatre; and Trained Monkey Productions. The full schedule, voluntarily put together by Frank Carr, can be found on the Famous In The Future website. Also, the Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Facebook page has updates and informative posts from the various acts involved in the festival. 

Tickets are $10 for an all-day pass and $25 for a weekend pass.

Arthur Nasson - The Emperor’s New Sound

Singer/multi-instrumentalist Arthur Nasson has simultaneously released a pair of EPs with the experimental That’s No Way To Treat A Piano and more accessible The Emperor’s New Sound. The latter finds Nasson, who’s also a producer, songwriter, and filmmaker, crafting original pop music that’s defiantly out of synch with the current chart-topping hits. With help from his sons Graham and Colin, Nasson gives the five songs vintage, big production values along with clever and well-honed lyrics.

Nasson has been known to tap into the British Invasion on previous efforts, but it’s harder to pinpoint what era he’s aiming for this time out. The energetic piano and guitar playing on “Multiverse” and the satiric title track evoke Elton John in his prime, while “Tiger By The Claws,” with its breezy vocal arrangement, has more of an early 1960s cocktail vibe. Nasson’s lyrics on “Purple Swan” are bit cloying, but once again the instrumentation makes it work. Graham Nasson plays a Hammond B3 organ on “Graham’s Gentlemen’s Club,” the slinky instrumental that closes this anachronistic but fun EP.

Slumgullion

I was planning to buy everybody in Chicago one of these but I ran out of money.

There’s really no reason to feel let down or bored. Sure, Lollapalooza has passed, John Stewart has left The Daily Show, and summer is more than half over, but there are still a lot of indoor and outdoor activities coming up in the next few weeks. Here’s a rundown of some of those events from the world of entertainment. As always, Slumgullion is entirely organic and free of SEO or corporate additives.

For those who want to relive the fun they had at Lollapalooza or see what the missed, radio station WXRT currently has exclusive footage of live performances, including Paul McCartney’s entire set; interviews with some of artists; and an archive of photos.

The Freemont Theater Company’s production of the hit musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying opens tonight at Cutting Hall in Palatine. It will be performed through Sunday this weekend, and then Friday through Sunday next weekend.

Rock Art Show, the online store that sells art of and by famous musicians, is offering a hand-signed piece by Ringo Starr that features his handwritten lyrics from The Beatles song “Don’t Pass Me By.” As an added incentive, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Ringo’s charity The Lotus Foundation.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s Awesome August post, two must-see events on the Broken Hearted Toy calendar occur next weekend in Chicago. The 27th Annual Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival runs Friday through Sunday at the Mary-Arrchie Theatre, and Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago returns to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont for those same three days. Check yesterday’s post and the Mary-Arrchie Theatre and Fest For Beatles Fans websites for more information.

In two weeks, Wizard World Comic Con Chicago runs from Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 24 at the Donald E. Stephens Center in Rosemont. I’m hoping to post previews of Abbie Fest 27, Fest For Beatles Fans, and Wizard World here on BHT.

The Chicago Air And Water Show takes place on the lakefront at North Avenue next Saturday and Sunday, and you can see the jets flying overhead from outside the Mary-Arrchie Theatre. 

Graham Nash, whose show at The Arcada in St. Charles on July 28 was the primary reason I’ve declared this A Hollies Summer In Chicago, has posted a review of that show on his Facebook page. It was written by Ron Onesti, the owner of The Arcada, and originally ran in the Daily Herald. It’s a fun review but also kind of heartbreaking.

My wife Pam and I arrived in St. Charles a few hours before that concert in the hope of running into Nash. We talked about what would be the most likely places he’d go. In his review, Onesti says that Nash went out before the concert to a vintage car show down the street, and was talking with people there. By the time we noticed the car show, it was almost time for the concert, so we didn’t check it out. Just a reminder, anyone who wants to read my review of that same concert can check out my July 29 find it post.

The Anglo Tees company is offering a limited-edition British Invasion t-shirt that features the names of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, Donovan, Petula Clark, The Who, The Yardbirds, and several other UK acts from the 1960s. It’s available in grey or black, in a v-neck or long-sleeve style, and as a sweatshirt or a hoodie. I’m tempted to buy one for everybody in Chicago as part of my Hollies Summer celebration but that would seriously dent my BHT bank account. It’s only available for the next six more days.

Philamonjaro Studio will present an opening reception for its exhibit featuring Howard Greenblatt’s photos of Tut’s at the Blues Heaven club on August 22nd, from noon to 3:00 PM. Tut’s played host to some of alt rock’s best bands—including Los Lobos, X, The Replacements, and Missing Persons, along with Chicago’s best acts—from 1979 to 1984. The exhibit will run for about six weeks. Blues Heaven is located at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue.

Don’t be fooled by the ironically optimistic title.  The Jigsaw Seen sets an ecological warning to a thundering psychedelic arrangement on the brand new song it just released  “Have A Wonderful Day.” It’s part of a three-track single that also includes a new mix of “We Women” from The Jigsaw Scene’s recent Old Man Reverb album and a live cover of “Running To The Convent” by the English band Dry Ice. I’ll be posting a review of this single in the near future.

The New Invaders, an honorary tribute band of A Hollies Summer In Chicago due to their inclusion of Hollies songs at many of their shows, will be performing a Summer Lunchtime Concert from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on Friday, August 21 at the Willis Tower (Sears Tower) in downtown Chicago.

Down by the river. Power pop band Frisbie will be performing somewhere along Chicago’s Downtown River Walk from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 22nd. I haven’t seen a specific location mentioned, but the Riverwalk isn’t that long, so just follow the sound of ringing guitars.

All The Wine, the Chicago-based indie rock trio whose Summer Parade EP was favorably reviewed here on Broken Hearted Toy on July 1, has a new song called “Time And Direction” that’s available for a free download on their Bandcamp page. Like the songs on Summer Parade, it features angst-ridden lyrics within a powerful guitar-driven, arrangement.  

About a week ago, my wife Pam and I had a bittersweet get-together with our long-time friend Karen at a nearby restaurant. Her husband Ross, also a good friend, couldn’t join us because he was busy finalizing their family’s move to California at the end of the month. Over dishes of ice cream, we shared memories, a lot of them centered on the days when Karen and I performed in the Famous In The Future comedy group.

She left a few years before I did but we still had a decade together. Karen is a natural at performing comedy and memorizes lines almost immediately. She didn’t write skits, but like everyone in our group, helped shape their outcome. And even though Karen never hesitated to say when she didn’t like something, she voiced her objections tactfully. It was always a joy to watch her bring a character to life.

Next Saturday, I’ll be at the Mary-Arrchie Theatre on Chicago’s north side, watching Famous In The Future perform as part of The 27th annual Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival. I haven’t missed an Abbie Fest or an FIF show there yet. So here’s a toast to Karen, Frank, Desiree, Michael, Tina, Pat, David, Lisa, Nathan, Guy, Bryn, Amy, Tracy, Kelly, Geneiveve, John, Susan, Cheryl, and all the many cast members who made Famous In The Future so rewarding and fun for me over 20 years. May the group continue to flourish. 

A Yippie, A Hollie, Billie, And The Beatles Add Up To Another Awesome August

In Chicago, there’s just something about the months that start with the letter ‘A.’ April brings International Pop Overthrow - Chicago; Record Store Day; Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2);  and CIMMfest (Chicago International Movies and Music), all within a period of a few weeks. And every August, right around the middle of the month, we have the Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins festival; Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago; and Wizard World Comic Con Chicago.

Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins #27 kicks of next Friday, August 14 with the traditional gathering at Daley Plaza, followed by a march back to the Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s home base at the intersection of Sheridan Road and Broadway. Artistic Director Rich Cotovsky conducts the Opening Ceremonies in the persona of Abbie Hoffman at 7:00 PM, and from there, this freewheeling celebration of drama, comedy, performance art, and music runs virtually nonstop through midnight (usually later) on Sunday.

My recommendations include Diary Of A Madman performed by Rush Pearson; Gas Mask 101 performed by Mary-Arrchie Theatre; And Now performed by Black Forest; Organic Free-Range Non-Genetically Modified Comedy performed by Famous In The Future; and The Best Of Democracy Burlesque performed by Democracy Burlesque. Full disclosure: I was a member of Famous In The Future for 20 years. Famous In The Future founding member/Syd Barrett fanatic Frank Carr has posted the entire schedule on his comedy group’s website.

The Fest For Beatles Fans returns to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont next weekend, August 14–16. It’s a major reason I’ve declared this A Hollies Summer In Chicago, since this year’s guests include Terry Sylvester, who replaced Graham Nash in The Hollies and stayed with them for several years. He’ll be performing on Saturday and Sunday night at The Fest.

George Harrison’s sister Louise will also be there; along with former president of Apple Records Jack Oliver; Ringo Starr’s Musical Director saxophone player/vocalist Mark Rivera; musician/producer Mark Hudson; Bill Kinsley from The Mereybeats; and the Beatles tribute band Liverpool. The Weeklings, a new group featuring members of Liverpool that mixes Beatles rarities with original tunes, will perform on Sunday of The Fest. WXRT air personality Terri Hemmert will once again serve as Master Of Ceremonies; there will be several interesting guest speakers; Beatles art; and a huge marketplace offering every conceivable variation of Beatles-related goods.

This year, Wizard World Comic Con Chicago gets its own weekend; bringing movie and TV stars; comic artists; row after row of vendors; and lots of people in imaginative costumes to the Donald E. Stephens Center in Rosemont from Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 24. I’ll kind of miss that crossover of sci-fi and Beatles fans that happens when Fest For Beatles Fans and Comic Con take place simultaneously in Rosemont, across the street from each other.

Billie Piper, who played Rose Tyler on Doctor Who and is also known for her work in Penny Dreadful and Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, will be there, as will be Arthur Darville, who played Rory Williams on Doctor Who and portrays Rip Hunter on the upcoming TV series DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow. Other major guests include Jeremy Renner from The Avengers movies; Emilie De Ravin from Once Upon A Time and Lost; Nathan Fillion from Castle and Firefly; and Kristy Swanson from Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

In the coming weeks, I’m hoping to keep up an annual tradition by covering these events more extensively here on Broken Hearted Toy.

Birds Of Night - Self-Titled

Note: This review originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer.

Birds Of Night lost half of their members en route to recording their third album since forming in 2011 but that hasn’t slowed them down at all. True to the band’s name, the songs on this self-titled effort are shrouded in mystery and singer-guitarist Andrew Rothlisberger delivers them with evocative vocals and haunting melodies. As the main songwriter, he drifts easily through a variety of genres, and occasionally jams with fellow founding member bassist Brooks Martin and newcomers drummer Jon Aisner and guitarist-keyboards player Alex Adams.

“Love Is Stoned” is a vintage heavy metal stomp, while the epic “Asleep In The Pine” opens with ominous synth music and features Rothlisberger and Adams cutting loose on their guitars during two instrumental passages. On “Big Shot,” Birds Of Night take a much simpler approach, where Rothlisberger’s singing is matched to some mournful steel guitar accompaniment. “Marfa Skies” has an appealing indie rock feel but “Dark” is this album’s true highlight, immediately grabbing the listener with a frenetic but irresistible arrangement and Rothlisberger’s powerful singing.

The Ravines - Everything’s Fine

Everything’s Fine is the first album from The Ravines since they released their debut Manifesto Of A Broken Heart in 2005. The English quartet is comprised of vocalist Chris Corney and drummer James Crossley from The Contrast, along with bassist Andy Hawkins and backup vocalist Suzanna Benn. From the opening track, it’s evident The Ravines haven’t lost their touch for crafting power pop with strong melodies and soaring harmony vocals.

A few of the arrangements border on being too commercial, and it’s surprising how much these guys sound like Yanks. The title track evokes Fountains Of Wayne, and like the toe-tapping “Right Man, Wrong Time,” has a bit of a Country And Western feel. “Blue Eyes” and “Dead Letters” are well-crafted, though not particularly memorable, and “Queen Bee” is an appealing acoustic number.

The Ravines are more impressive on “Daydream,” which could have been a smash in the 1980s, and the catchy pop of “Working Class Girl.” The best track here is “It’s Only Love,” which packs a punch while tapping into the distinctive jangle of The Byrds. Everything’s Fine pretty much lives up to its name, but could have been even better if The Ravines had given it more of an edge.

And Another Thing. . .

George Harrison art from the Phil Angotti And Friends

Play The Music Of George Harrison At City Winery Facebook page.

Various items from the rock and roll world.

Lollapalooza was another rousing success this year despite serious weather that caused a brief evacuation Sunday afternoon and an earlier end to the festival than had been planned. Out here in suburban Palatine, we had hail stones that were literally the size of golf balls, but luckily the revelers downtown were spared that experience. In other Lolla news, there were reports that Paul McCartney did an extended sound check Thursday night and his songs could be heard all over the downtown area. I doubt anyone complained.

A special tribute show called The Music of George Harrison is taking place at City Winery - Chicago tomorrow night, August 4th. Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti, who has become quite adept at honoring my favorite rock stars, will be joined by Casey McDonough; Dann Morr; Tommi Zender; Eric Howell; and Dick Schmidt, who will be performing with Rebekah Abel and Wally Rozak. Hannah Grossman will serve as the host and narrator. The music starts at 8:00 PM. Tickets are available for the just the performance, or for the performance with wine pairings.

Those who have seen bassist Derrick Anderson perform with The Bangles on a regular basis or with The Smithereens on occasion might not be aware that he was a member of a power pop band called The Andersons over a decade ago. He’ll be joining that group for a reunion on August 29th at Molly Malone’s in Los Angeles on August 29th. The Piper Downs will also be on the bill that evening. Anderson noted recently on his Facebook page that The Andersons could have more gigs coming up and are considering the release of a greatest hits CD.

Tributosaurus, one of Chicago’s best-known tribute acts, will become Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young this coming Wednesday night at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. I saw them cover CSN and Y at an outdoor festival a few years back, and they definitely have a passion performing as these guys. And yes, this qualifies as A Hollies Summer In Chicago event because it involves Graham Nash songs. I’m still waiting for Tributosaurus to become The Hollies.

Something new, something blurred. The Church will be showcasing songs from their 25th album—the brand new Further/Deeper—when they kick off their American tour in just a few days. The gigs will consist of two sets; the first being devoted entirely to their 1982 effort The Blurred Crusade while the second will be a mix of brand new and classic material. The Church have a show in Chicago at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on August 29th. They also have dates (none in Chicago) where they’ll be sharing the bill with The Psychedelic Furs. 

Aimee Mann recently had a very touching post on Facebook about working on a song called “No Love” she had written with the late power pop genius Scott Miller of Game Theory and The Loud Family. She noted, “and hearing him sing it in my headphones is possibly the most devastatingly heartbreaking thing I’ve ever experienced.” Hopefully, we’ll get to hear that song at some point in the future.

Ryan Powers And The Secret Weapons, a local power pop band that released a very solid and enjoyable CD in 2013 called The Goodnight Goodbye Hour, will be performing at 4:30 PM this Friday afternoon as part of the Chicago Hot Dog Fest at Clark Street and LaSalle Drive. I haven’t eaten a hot dog in several years, but there are some intriguing things about this event, which runs through Sunday. One of its major sponsors is the nearby Chicago History Museum, and in addition to the bands and food vendors, there will be guest speakers (or comedians, I’m not sure) waxing philosophical about hot dogs. Admission is free.