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The U.K.-based Genesis Publications has a massive treasure coming for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fans who are willing to shell out some big bucks. CSNY - Love The One You’re With is a 272-page hardbound book featuring 1000 images taken by world-class photographer Henry Diltz and 34,000 words from 20 contributors. The Deluxe Edition has a £495 pre-order price tag, and the regular amount goes up to £545. The website doesn’t make it clear if there’s a lower-priced non-deluxe version. I’ve never been one who has a lot of cash, but I did buy a similarly themed and priced Diltz Genesis book titled California Dreaming a number of years ago, and I can attest that you definitely get your money’s worth.  

In the meantime, I bought a ticket to one of Graham Nash’s three 60 Years Of Songs And Stories dates coming up at the Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago next April. Tickets for those April 25, 26, and 28 concerts went on sale this morning and it looked like they were going fast.

The Birdhouse Museum Of Bridgeport and Project Onward are presenting The 19th Annual Art On Cardboard Show on the 4th floor of the Project Onward Gallery at 1200 W. 35th Street. Participating artists were encouraged to “Take a junky old box and transform it into a transcendent work of art!” There was a reception tonight from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

Ringo Starr has created a colorful video for “Everyone And Everything”, an uplifting new song written by Linda Perry. The clip’s imaginative mix of live action and animation touches on some historic moments in Starr’s career. “Everyone And Everything” is on his latest release EP3, which is available on 10 inch vinyl, CD, cassette, and various streaming services.

The 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival runs through November 27 at The Gene Siskel Film Center. The festival will present 20 feature films and 25 short films, plus over 15 filmmakers will make personal appearances.

Micky Dolenz is in the Chicago area this weekend for an 8:30 pm show at The Arcada in St. Charles on Saturday, and a 5:00 pm show at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines on Sunday. His fans can also enjoy the 55th anniversary 4CD/1 seven-inch single boxset edition of The Monkees album Headquarters that’s now available exclusively from The Monkees official website. It features outtakes, demos, and newly mixed songs from the original Headquarters.

The Chicago Reader will celebrate five decades of being the city’s best-known free paper with a 50ish UnGala at Museum Of Contemporary Art on November 30. The event will take place on three floors, with four stages with live entertainment, food and beverages from the museum’s own catering service, and raffles. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive 50ish anniversary merchandise. Tickets start at $25.

The Bad Ends, a new quintet of Athens, GA music scene veterans that includes Bill Berry from R.E.M., has released a second video from its upcoming album The Power And The Glory. “Thanksgiving 1915” is a decidedly untrendy clip that imagines the band members working in a diner. The earlier video, “All Your Friends Are Dying,” takes a similarly comic working class approach (until the zombie swimmers show up). Both songs feature melodic, guitar-driven  arrangements. 

Tickets are now on sale for the Hey Nonny Women’s Jazz Festival coming to the Arlington Heights venue on the weekend of January 6 – 8.

Seinfeld has existed only in reruns for several years now, but the classic sitcom has generated fresh content in a series of clips on Instagram. Actor Larry Thomas, best known for denying his delicious soup to unworthy customers, takes on a different role as a professor promoting the curriculum at the fictional Seinfeld Academy. It’s a clever way to feature Seinfeld scenes fans love and keep them coming back to those reruns. I met Thomas years ago when he was a celebrity guest at a Wizard World convention in Chicago. He agreed with my assessment that his “No soup for you!” is one of the most quoted catch phrases in TV history.

Chicago-based rockers Kevin Lee And The Kings will hold their Annual Christmas Bash on December 10 at the Chicago Loop Sports Bar And Grill in Streamwood. 

Brett Morgen’s critically acclaimed David Bowie film Moonage Daydream is now available in digital, Blu-Ray, and DVD formats.

Congratulations to Columbia College in Chicago on coming in at number one on The Hollywood Reporter’s The World’s Best Music Schools, Ranking listings. Berklee College of Music in Boston, USC Los Angeles Thornton School of Music, Juilliard School n New York, and UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in Los Angeles came in second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

Paul McCartney’s ambitious collection The 7" Singles Box is due out December 2. It’s packed in a wooden crate and features 80 seven-inch vinyl records covering the former Beatle’s output from 1971 to 2022. That includes picture sleeve hit singles with their original b-sides, as well as songs that have never appeared in the seven-inch format before. There’s also a 146-page book. The 7" Singles Box is priced at $611.98 and will be limited to 3,000 copies available on McCartney’s website. 

Blue Heaven, a tribute to blues artists such as B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Big Mama Thornton, and Muddy Waters, is running through November 27 at The Black Ensemble Theatre. Tickets range from $50 to $55; Black Ensemble Theatre is located at 4450 N. Clark.

Those Pretty Wrongs, the duo of Big Star drummer Jody Stephens and guitarist Luther Russell, has just released a video of the melodic pop song “Paper Cup.” The song is from the album Holiday Camp, which is due out soon on Curation Records.

The interactive attraction Harry Potter: Magic At Play opened last Friday at Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue and will run through May14, 2023.

Congratulations to Monty Python on the smashing success of their Kickstarter campaign to fund the Monty Python’s Cocurricular Mediaeval Reenactment Programme. Over 15,000 backers have raised $1,933,426.

 

Chicago-based indie rock band The Webstirs are looking to fund a vinyl release of their latest, self-titled effort via an Indiegogo campaign. I reviewed this album when it was released on CD in May, and noted it “proves [The Webstirs] can still be counted on for clever lyrics set to catchy arrangements.” I also suggested the band draws inspiration from Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook’s well-crafted compositions for Squeeze.

The Concert For George documentary featuring major rock stars honoring George Harrison will return to theaters for one night only on November 29. That date marks the 20th anniversary of when the original event took place.

Famous In The Future, the sketch comedy group I co-founded in 1989 and performed with through 2008, will present its first Christmas-themed show on the weekend of December 15 –17 at The Den Theatre.  Tickets are now on sale for A Judy Christmas, which cast member Desiree Burcum describes on Facebook as an opportunity to “join Judy in her studio audience in 1963 as she navigates her holiday special and her own musical ghosts of Christmas.”

Artist Vivienne Boucherat is selling art and lyric sheet prints based on songs from the Odessey and Oracle album by The Zombies on her website. Prices range from $60 to $120

Women Sing The Who, the Bandcamp page that features women artists covering songs originally done by the iconic English rockers, recently posted its latest entry. Actress/singer-songwriter Mare Winningham brings an easygoing, tuneful approach to “Let My Love Open The Door.” Technically, that’s not a Who song—it’s from lead guitarist Pete Townshend’s 1980 solo effort Empty Glass—but why complain when the result is so enjoyable. Winningham is joined by former Wings guitarist (and frequent Fest For Beatles Fans guest) Laurence Juber, bassist Paul Marshall, and drummer Benjamin Lecourt. Carla Oloson joins Marshall on backup vocals. Olson, first known for her work with The Textones, kicked off the Women Sing The Who series last May with her rousing take on “I Can See For Miles.” It only costs $1 to download “Let My Love Open The Door,” and all proceeds benefit The Who’s charitable organization Teen Cancer America.

The Dungeons And Dragons inspired play The Twenty-Sided Tavern is now running at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place just north of downtown, and will be there through January 15. The show has previously sold out previous engagements in Edinburgh, Pittsburg, and New York.

This year’s Black Friday Record Store Day takes place next Friday, November 25. The complete list of limited-edition vinyl treasures can be found on the official website, and as usual, there’s something for fans of just about every genre.

The 2022 Aidan Celebration Open House Party will take place tomorrow night at the Shea home at 817 S. Fairfield in Elmhurst. The Aidan Shea Foundation supports the Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern Medicine’s Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the University Of Illinois Law School Aidan Shea Memorial Scholarship. Plus, two new programs will benefit from this year’s event—the Illinois-based nonprofit Foster Progress and the 2023 Celtic Irish American Academy in Galway, Ireland. The open house will feature live music by singer-guitarist Scottie Long.

Incoming

Graham Nash’s 60 Years Of Songs And Stories tour kicks off next spring and includes three dates at the Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago. Tickets for those April 25, 26, and 28 concerts go on sale this Friday morning.

The latest installment of the CHIRP Radio Presents The First Time Stories And Songs series will take place at Martyrs’ tomorrow, November 16. The performers for this round are Josh Caterer from Smoking Popes; Metro owner Joe Shanahan; Alicia Nesbary Moore of Herban Produce; journalist Keisa Reynolds; comedian Anna Lucero; and DJ CHIRP radio personality Josh Friedberg. Jenn Sodini will serve as host. Steve Frisbie, Gerald Dowd and Liam Davis will once again provide music as The First Time Three.

Congratulations to Columbia College in Chicago on coming in at number one on The Hollywood Reporter’s The World’s Best Music Schools, Ranking listings. Berklee College of Music in Boston, USC Los Angeles Thornton School of Music, Juilliard School n New York, and TUCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in Los Angeles came in second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively. I can think of a few WXRT radio personalities who will be feeling proud of Columbia nabbing that honor.

The Ballydoyle Irish Pub in Downers Grove has a four-band showcase coming this Friday, November 18, featuring The Spindles, The Embryos, Thrift Store Halo, and Phil Yates and The Affiliates.

The DVD of Brett Morgen’s critically acclaimed David Bowie film Moonage Daydream is now available in digital, Blu-Ray, and DVD formats. In related news, the official David Bowie website has Moonage Daydream t-shirts, CDs, stickers, and posters, and magnets for sale.

Slumgullion

Although modestly titled, The 7" Singles Box coming from Paul McCartney on December 2 is an ambitious effort that will no doubt thrill his fans. Packed in a wooden crate that looks like it could survive an ocean voyage, the collection contains 80 seven-inch vinyl records covering the former Beatle’s output from 1971 to 2022. That includes picture sleeve hit singles with their original b-sides, as well as songs that have never appeared in the seven-inch format before. There’s also a 146-page book. The 7" Singles Box is priced at $611.98 and will be limited to 3,000 copies available on McCartney’s website.

The first of two Randolph Street Holiday Markets scheduled for 2022 takes place tomorrow and Sunday at Plumber’s Hall in Chicago’s West Loop area. The event runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm both days, and will feature “the most unusual and stylishly curated mix of vintage and modern shopping for men, women and children.” There will also be craft cocktails, informal modeling, food, a dj, and live music.

Those Pretty Wrongs, the duo of Big Star drummer Jody Stephens and guitarist Luther Russell, has just released a video of the melodic pop gem “Paper Cup.” It’s from the album Holiday Camp, which is due out soon on Curation Records.

Walk like a successful author. Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles has a novel titled This Bird Has Flown coming in April 2023, and it’s already been picked up by Universal to be adapted as a movie. According to Hoffs’ official Facebook page, the story concerns “a washed-up singer falling in love with a British literature professor.” Hoff's performed at The Wild Honey Foundation’s A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of Big Star’s #1 Record! at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA last Saturday. (As did the previously mentioned Jody Stephens.)

Blue Heaven, a tribute to blues artists such as B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Big Mama Thornton, and Muddy Waters, has opened at The Black Ensemble Theatre and will run through November 27. Tickets range from $50 to $55; Black Ensemble Theatre is located at 4450 N. Clark on Chicago’s north side.

There are only six days left to help the Monty Python lads meet the $200,000 goal for their Kickstarter campaign to fund their Monty Python’s Cocurricular Mediaeval Reenactment Programme. There are several levels of participation, starting with the Bloody Peasant Edition, which only nets the donor a PDF edition, to the Upper Class Twit Bundle, which includes all sorts of goodies. 

Chicago-based indie rock band The Webstirs are looking to fund a vinyl release of their latest, self-titled effort via an Indiegogo campaign. I reviewed this album here when it was released on CD in May, and noted it “proves [The Webstirs] can still be counted on for clever lyrics set to catchy arrangements.” I also suggested the band draws inspiration from Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook’s well-crafted compositions for Squeeze.

So, I wasn’t able to attend Bono’s SURRENDER: 40 Songs, One Story book tour performance at The Chicago Theatre earlier this week. I tried to purchase a ticket as soon as they went out sale but it turned into a cruel game of being told “Somebody’s already purchased that seat” each time I made a selection. Judging from the website, all the shows scheduled for this month have sold out. That website is also the place to watch some highly entertaining animated videos narrated by Bono. I’ll definitely buy the book, which was recently nominated for the Dubray Biography of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards.

The interactive attraction Harry Potter: Magic At Play opened today at Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue and run through May14, 2023. 

The Concert For George documentary featuring major rock stars honoring George Harrison will return to theaters for one night only on November 29. That date marks the 20th anniversary of when the original event took place.

Smoking Popes are bringing their Midwest Simmerfest event to the Backroom in Milwaukee tonight, and they’ll visit the Bottom Lounge in Chicago tomorrow. The tour also includes Off With Their Heads; Limbeck; and Color Fred.

Josh Caterer from Smoking Popes will be part of the CHIRP Radio Presents The First Time Stories And Songs event at Martyrs’ on November 16. Hosted by Jenn Sodini, it will also include Metro owner Joe Shanahan; Alicia Nesbary Moore of Herban Produce; journalist Keisa Reynolds; comedian Anna Lucero; and DJ CHIRP radio personality Josh Friedberg. Once again, Steve Frisbie, Gerald Dowd and Liam Davis will provide music as The First Time Three.

Next Friday, November 18, The Spindles will be part of a four-band show at Ballydoyle Irish Pub in Downers Grove, with The Embryos, Thrift Store Halo, and Phil Yates and The Affiliates.

Only The Strong Survive, Bruce Springsteen’s new album featuring cover versions of classic soul songs, came out in CD, vinyl, and digital formats today. 

The Pino Farina Band will return to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine tomorrow night.

The Regrettes released an extended version of their most recent album Further Joy today and it’s available on various streaming sites. The Los Angeles quartet leaned more toward techno music on this third effort so it will be interesting to see if the three extra tracks, recorded at the same time, will be in that vein. Personally, I liked the more punk-oriented approach of their earlier releases, but Further Joy was definitely a success.

Congratulations to journalist/author/radio personality Rick Kogan on receiving the Chicago Literary Hall Of Fame’s Fuller Award for a lifetime of work.

Peter Gabriel plans to release a new album titled i/o in 2023 and will launch i/o The Tour on May 18 in Krakow, Poland. The European tour will also include stops in Milan, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, London, and Manchester. Gabriel, who likes to sign off as pg, recently noted on Facebook, “It’s been a while and I am now surrounded by a whole lot of new songs and am excited to be taking them out on the road for a spin.”

Famous In The Future, the sketch comedy group I co-founded in 1989 and performed with through 2008, will present its first Christmas-themed show on the weekend of December 15 –17 at The Den Theatre.  Tickets are now on sale for A Judy Christmas, which cast member Desiree Burcum describes on Facebook as an opportunity to “join Judy in her studio audience in 1963 as she navigates her holiday special and her own musical ghosts of Christmas.”

Artist Vivienne Boucherat is selling art and lyric sheet prints based on songs from the Odessey and Oracle album by The Zombies on her website. Prices range from $60 to $120.

The Cat Adoption Team cat shelter in Portland, OR. CAT is holding a Whisker Wonderland virtual benefit at 7:00 pm tomorrow night.

A 55th anniversary 4CD/1 seven-inch single boxset edition of The Monkees album Headquarters will be available exclusively from The Monkees official website on November 18. It will feature outtakes, demos, and newly mixed songs from the original Headquarters.

The Chicago Reader will celebrate five decades of being the city’s best-known free paper with a 50ish UnGala at Museum Of Contemporary Art on November 30. The event will take place on three floors, with four stages with live entertainment, food and beverages from the museum’s own catering service, and raffles. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive 50ish anniversary merchandise. Tickets start at $25.

Women Sing The Who, the Bandcamp page that features women artists covering songs originally done by the iconic English rockers, posted its latest entry yesterday. Actress/singer-songwriter Mare Winningham brings an easygoing, tuneful approach to “Let My Love Open The Door.” Technically, that’s not a Who song—it’s from lead guitarist Pete Townshend’s 1980 solo effort Empty Glass—but why complain when the result is so enjoyable. Winningham is joined by former Wings guitarist (and frequent Fest For Beatles Fans guest) Laurence Juber, bassist Paul Marshall, and drummer Benjamin Lecourt. Carla Oloson joins Marshall on backup vocals. Olson, first known for her work with The Textones, kicked off the Women Sing The Who series last May with her rousing take on “I Can See For Miles.” It only costs $1 to download “Let My Love Open The Door,” and all proceeds benefit The Who’s charitable organization Teen Cancer America.

The 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival runs through November 27 at The Gene Siskel Film Center. The festival will present 20 feature films and 25 short films, plus over 15 filmmakers will make personal appearances.

The DVD of Brett Morgen’s David Bowie film Moonage Daydream will be available on November 18, but from what I’ve read, should really be seen in a movie theater for the full effect. The official David Bowie website has t-shirts, CDs, stickers, and posters, and magnets related to Moonage Daydream for sale. 

The Dungeons And Dragons inspired play The Twenty-Sided Tavern is now running at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place just north of downtown, and will be there through January15. The show has previously sold out previous engagements in Edinburgh, Pittsburg, and New York.

Dragon’s Dream - The Roger Dean Experience, which is being billed as “an immersive high definition 4D audio/video experience” opens tomorrow at Gray Area in San Francisco and will run through January 2023. Dean, of course, is famous for the cover art he created for Yes, Uriah Heep, Badger, and other bands.

It’s Karma It’s Cool recently released the second installment in its quest to offer six digital singles in three months. The English band describes its catchy, original tunes as power pop with bite, so it’s no surprise that “Old Bones” places intriguing lyrics to a catchy, guitar-driven arrangement. It follows the first installment “A Gentle Reminder,” which dropped in August. Both of these songs, as well as one yet to come, feature guest Peter Holsapple from The dB’s on keyboards. You won’t see Holsapple in these first two videos since he works with It’s Karma It’s Cool remotely.

The 2022 Aidan Celebration Open House Party will take place on November 19 at the Shea home at 817 S. Fairfield in Elmhurst. The Aidan Shea Foundation supports the Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern Medicine’s Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the University Of Illinois Law School Aidan Shea Memorial Scholarship. Plus, two new programs will benefit from this year’s event—the Illinois-based nonprofit Foster Progress and the 2023 Celtic Irish American Academy in Galway, Ireland. The open house will feature live music by singer-guitarist Scottie Long.

Incoming

Smoking Popes will bring their Midwest Simmerfest event to the Off Broadway venue in St. Louis on November 10; the Backroom in Milwaukee on November 11, and the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on November 12. The tour also includes Off With Their Heads; Limbeck; and Color Fred.

Josh Caterer from Smoking Popes will be part of the CHIRP Radio Presents The First Time Stories And Songs event at Martyrs’ on November 16. Hosted by Jenn Sodini, it will also include Metro owner Joe Shanahan; Alicia Nesbary Moore of Herban Produce; journalist Keisa Reynolds; comedian Anna Lucero; and DJ CHIRP radio personality Josh Friedberg. Once again, Steve Frisbie, Gerald Dowd and Liam Davis will provide music as The First Time Three.

Peter Gabriel plans to release a new album titled i/o in 2023 and will launch i/o The Tour on May 18 in Krakow, Poland. The European tour will also include stops in Milan, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, London, and Manchester. Gabriel, who likes to sign off as pg, recently noted on Facebook, “It’s been a while and I am now surrounded by a whole lot of new songs and am excited to be taking them out on the road for a spin.”

Famous In The Future, the sketch comedy group I co-founded in 1989 and performed with through 2008, will present its first Christmas-themed show on the weekend of December 15 –17 at The Den Theatre. Tickets are now on sale for A Judy Christmas, which cast member Desiree Burcum describes on Facebook as an opportunity to “join Judy in her studio audience in 1963 as she navigates her holiday special and her own musical ghosts of Christmas.” I went to several FIF Christmas parties during my tenure with the group, and they sometimes involved Burcum doing a Judy Garland impersonation.

Artist Vivienne Boucherat is selling art and lyric sheet prints based on songs from the Odessey and Oracle album by The Zombies on her website. Prices range from $60 to $120.

Penn Gillette’s promotional tour for his new novel Random will bring him to the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library this Thursday, November 10. Random is a comedy set in Las Vegas and features a 20-year-old protagonist searching for a lifesaving stroke of luck.

Doom Flamingo, the Charleston, SC band that describes itself as “a six-headed synthwave beast with a Jekyll and Hyde element to the songwriting” will be haunting Metro with a midnight 18 and over performance this Friday.

Dream Syndicate, one of the prime members of the adventurous 1980s Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles, have a Chicago gig coming up at Lincoln Hall this Friday.

The Randolph Street Holiday Market returns to Plumber’s Hall this weekend, November 12 and 13.

The Pino Farina Band will return to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine this Saturday, November 12. The group recently released the funky, guitar-driven single “Microsun.”

Only The Strong Survive, Bruce Springsteen’s new album featuring cover versions of classic soul songs, will be available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats this Friday. 

Heather J. Miller (formerly Heather J. Svoboda), who performed all over the Chicago improv scene some years ago is now marking her 11th year at the Cat Adoption Team cat shelter in Portland, OR. CAT is holding a Whisker Wonderland virtual benefit at 7:00 pm on this Friday. Miller suggests making a donation of  “$11 or $111 or $1.1M” (that third figure might be her improvising) to help the shelter continue to save cats’ lives.

Rocking Stuffers: Part 2

A while back, the Chicago Tribune ran an article about how quickly Adult Happy Meals are selling out at McDonald’s restaurants. Apparently, the corporation’s marketing team correctly determined today’s grownups need a pick-me-up, and receiving a small toy is a fun, nostalgic way to achieve that. In a similar vein, YouTube personality Adam The Woo traveled to various McDonald’s looking for Adult Happy Meals and discovered each location had sold its entire supply.

The Adult Happy Meal situation calls to mind a post I did here on September 30, pitching the idea of giving traditional stockings for the holidays. Along with candy and fruit, these stockings would be stuffed with entertainment-focused ‘toys.’ Chances are, that special person on your gift list has a favorite band, movie, TV show, and/or graphic novel. A determined internet search will likely turn up t-shirts, guitar picks, stickers, mugs, buttons, pins, action figures, and other treasures that could fit inside a holiday stocking.

Pop Art Sports Cards, which can be found on Facebook, eBay and Etsy, taps into the carefree days of collecting and trading baseball cards. But instead of athletes, these cards feature musicians. There are dozens of stars to choose from, in various genres. I’ve already purchased a bunch of them, including The Hollies; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Heart; Cheap Trick; The Kinks; and The Bangles. They’re designed to mimic vintage baseball cards; with a photo of the musician(s) on the front and year-by-year stats and an illustration on the back. Considering the craftsmanship behind these designs, the prices are definitely reasonable. And imagine the surprised look on your gift-recipient’s face. 

Saturday Slumgullion

The Wild Honey Foundation has put together a stellar lineup for tonight’s A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of Big Star’s #1 Record! taking place at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. The house band includes Big Star musician Jody Stephens; Mike Mills from R.E.M.; Chris Stamey from The dB’s; and Pat Sansone from Wilco. The Lemon Twigs, Jon Auer from The Posies and Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles are listed as special guests. The event will benefit The Autism Healthcare Collaborative.

It’s Karma It’s Cool recently released the second installment in its quest to offer six digital singles in three months. The English band describes its catchy, original tunes as power pop with bite, so it’s no surprise “Old Bones” places intriguing lyrics to a catchy, guitar-driven arrangement. It follows the first installment “A Gentle Reminder,” which dropped in August. Both of these songs, as well as one yet to come, feature guest Peter Holsapple from The dB’s on keyboards. You won’t see Holsapple in these first two videos since he works with It’s Karma It’s Cool remotely.

Women’s Fest takes place today from 3:00 to 9:00 pm at the Blue Island Beer Company in Blue Island. The event will be hosted by The Edna White Community Garden, The Bloom Bar, and The B*U*B Cafe. Special guests will include WXRT early morning air personality Emma Mac, The Bourbon Belts,  Beverly Phono Mart, Sharon Baker, and Bridget Cavanaugh. Proceeds will benefit the “Crui de Sheela Scholarship for a Student Who Wants to Study the Arts and Sciences” and The Edna White Community Garden. Admission is $30 pre-sale and $35 at the door; Blue Island Beer Company is located at 13357 Olde Western Avenue.

A 55th anniversary 4CD/1 seven-inch single boxset edition of The Monkees album Headquarters will be available exclusively from The Monkees official website on November 18. It will feature outtakes, demos, and newly mixed songs from the original Headquarters.

Blue Heaven, a tribute to blues artists such as B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Big Mama Thornton, and Muddy Waters, has opened at The Black Ensemble and will run through November 27. As noted by theater critic Catey Sullivan in The Chicago SunTimes, the revue is set “at Pearly’s, the otherworldly on-stage venue.” Tickets range from $50 to $55; Black Ensemble Theatre is located at 4450 N. Clark on Chicago’s north side.

Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens will host an online event on TALKSHOP LIVE on November 8 at 7:00 pm EST. They’ll take questions from fans about how to purchase their recently released effort The Lost Album and a special color vinyl reissue of Christmas With The Smithereens, as well as an autographed poster.

The Chicago Reader will celebrate five decades of being the city’s best-known free paper with a  50ish UnGala at Museum Of Contemporary Art on November 30. The event will take place on three floors, with four stages with live entertainment, food and beverages from the museum’s own catering service, and raffles. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive “50ish” anniversary merchandise. Tickets start at $25.

Women Sing The Who, the Bandcamp page that features women artists covering songs originally done by the iconic English rockers, posted its latest entry yesterday. Actress/singer-songwriter Mare Winningham brings an easygoing, tuneful approach to “Let My Love Open The Door.” Technically, that’s not a Who song—it’s from lead guitarist Pete Townshend’s 1980 solo effort Empty Glass—but why complain when the result is so enjoyable. Winningham is joined by former Wings guitarist (and frequent Fest For Beatles Fans guest) Laurence Juber, bassist Paul Marshall, and drummer Benjamin Lecourt. Carla Oloson joins Marshall on backup vocals. Olson, first known for her work with The Textones, kicked off the Women Sing The Who series last May with her rousing take on “I Can See For Miles.” It only costs $1 to download “Let My Love Open The Door,” and all proceeds benefit The Who’s charitable organization Teen Cancer America.

The Who have concert posters from their current Hits Back Tour for sale on their official website, and there are a variety to choose from. The debate for fans is whether you buy the one for your city or the one that looks the coolest to you. Personally, I most drawn to the one for Hollywood Bowl.

The 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival began yesterday and will run through November 27 at The Gene Siskel Film Center. The festival will present 20 feature films and 25 short films, plus over 15 filmmakers will make personal appearances.

Director Em Cooper has created a terrific video for The Beatles song “I’m Only Sleeping” that’s like an colorful oil painting springing to life in adventurous ways. It can be viewed on YouTube and other sites. This particular version of “I’m Only Sleeping” is from a brand new version of The Beatles’ groundbreaking album Revolver that benefits from the technical wizardry Giles Martin, George Martin’s son.

The long-form improv production of Anarchy: The Improvised Rock Operathe is now running at the recently reopened iO Theater. The venue had been closed since the summer of 2020.

Heather J. Miller (then known as Heather J. Svoboda) performed at iO and all over the Chicago improv scene some years ago. She’s now marking her 11th year at the Cat Adoption Team cat shelter in Portland, OR. CAT is holding a Whisker Wonderland virtual benefit at 7:00 pm on November 11. Miller suggests making a donation of  “$11 or $111 or $1.1M” (that third figure might be her improvising) to help the shelter continue to save cats’ lives.

Battersea Power Station, known to Pink Floyd fans around the globe as the four smokestack building on the band’s Animals album, is now an apartments/shopping complex thanks to a billion dollar rehab. Like they say, money, it’s a hit. No word on whether any of the shops selling souvenir flying pigs.

The Dungeons And Dragons inspired play The Twenty-Sided Tavern is now running at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place just north of downtown, and will be there through January15. https://www.thetwentysidedtavern.com/ The show has previously sold out previous engagements in Edinburgh, Pittsburg, and New York.

Steve Barton and Dave Scheff from Translator recently finished recording a two-sided holiday single with help from Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows. A Facebook post from Buck states the music will be available to stream soon, and will be hopefully be offered on colored vinyl in 2023.

Doom Flamingo, the Charleston, SC band that describes itself as “a six-headed synthwave beast with a Jekyll and Hyde element to the songwriting” will be haunting Metro with a midnight 18 and over performance on November 11.

The Pino Farina Band will return to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine on November 12. The group recently released the funky, guitar-driven single “Microsun.”

The English Beat’s Wine And Grind Tour 2022 will bring them to City Winery Chicago for shows on December 3 and 4.

 

There are Randolph Street Holiday Markets scheduled at Plumber’s Hall on the weekends of November 12 and 13 and December 17 and 18.

On November 18, The Spindles will be part of a four-band show at Ballydoyle Irish Pub in Downers Grove, with The Embryos, Thrift Store Halo, and Phil Yates and The Affiliates.

Dream Syndicate, one of the prime members of the 1980s Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles, have a Chicago gig coming up at Lincoln Hall on November 11.

Peter Asher and Jeremy Clyde were each half of popular British Invasion duos (Peter and Gordon and Chad and Jeremy respectively), so it’s only natural they would be compatible as yet another duo. They done shows in the past and will be together again at the The Old Town School Of Folk Music on December 1.

Penn Gillette’s promotional tour for his new novel Random will bring him to the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library on November 10.

The 2022 Aidan Celebration Open House Party will take place on November 19 at the Shea home at 817 S. Fairfield in Elmhurst. The Aidan Shea Foundation supports the Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern Medicine’s Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the University Of Illinois Law School Aidan Shea Memorial Scholarship. Plus, two new programs will benefit from this year’s event—the Illinois-based nonprofit Foster Progress and the 2023 Celtic Irish American Academy in Galway, Ireland. The open house will feature live music by singer-guitarist Scottie Long. 

Incoming

Director Em Cooper has created a terrific video for The Beatles song “I’m Only Sleeping”  that’s like an colorful oil painting springing to life in adventurous ways. It can be viewed on YouTube and other sites. This particular version of “I’m Only Sleeping” is from a brand new version of The Beatles’ groundbreaking album Revolver that benefits from the technical wizardry Giles Martin, George Martin’s son.

Power pop masters The Smithereens are always welcome in Chicago and they have a gig tomorrow night at City Winery. Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens will host an online event on TALKSHOP LIVE on November 8 at 7:00 pm EST. They’ll take questions from fans about how to purchase their recently released effort The Lost Album and a special color vinyl reissue of Christmas With The Smithereens, as well as an autographed poster. Babjak posted a link to a special message on Facebook regarding the event.

Critically acclaimed indie band The Silos are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of their independently released album Cuba, with a special double LP reissue. There’s also an anniversary tour that will bring them to Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side this Thursday night. The music starts at 7:00 pm; admission is $20.

The 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival begins this Friday and runs through November 27 at The Gene Siskel Film Center. The festival will present 20 feature films and 25 short films, plus over 15 filmmakers will make personal appearances.

The Who have concert posters from their current Hits Back Tour for sale on their official website, and there’s a variety to choose from. The debate for fans is whether you buy the one for your city or the one that looks the coolest to you. Personally, I most drawn to the one for Hollywood Bowl.