FILM |Something magical
Hill Prairie Winery is the venue for an outdoor screening of a film shot in Menard County, produced by Petersburg natives Adam and Tom Galassi and Thomas Snyder and based loosely on the local legend of a boy, Raymond Colby, who claims he was carried off by a thunderbird to a magical place (recently highlighted on the Discovery and History channels). The film begins 25 years after the incident with Raymond’s release from a mental facility, and chronicles his crazy and entertaining attempts to corral a colorful cast of characters from his small town and lead them to believe his story and finally see what he has seen – something magical. Music precedes the movie with singer/songwriter and film co-star, Will Johnson from Austin, Texas; the film’s star, Tahmus Rounds (veteran of “CSI” and “Cold Case”); Wisconsin-born troubadour Craig Barnes; Petersburg-native Paul Ingle; and Thomas Rounds of Los Angeles. The screening is a kickoff event to build the Shadowdance Institute founded by Ingle, a venture intended to evolve into a new creative resource for the Sangamon River Valley area.
Salt Creek County
July 25
8pm
Hill Prairie Winery
Oakford
899-1276
$7, $10 couples
MUSICAL |Intense and intimate
Gordon Productions presents The Last Five Years, a musical by Tony award-winning Jason Robert Brown. The show employs unconventional narrative and a diverse musical score ranging from klezmer to rock. It explores the five-year relationship between Jamie, a rising novelist played by Matt Vala, and Catherine, a struggling actress played by Mary Kate (Gallina) Smith. The tale of their time together is told in contrasting timelines. Catherine opens the show after their contentious divorce and moves backward, while Jamie starts with their joyous meeting and moves forward. The duo directly interacts only in one song where the timelines intersect. The production contains adult content.
The Last Five Years
July 24-25, 31 and August 1
8pm
Hoogland Center
for the Arts
420 S. Sixth St.
523-2787
$16-$15
BAND SPOTLIGHT | Bluesmattic
Lead guitarist Robert Beam, an Atlanta, Ga., transplant who made a mark as a professional touring and studio musician over the last 30 some years, sets the tone for Bluesmattic, with bassist Greg Campbell and drummer Scott Henrikson laying down a strong blues foundation for the experienced and talented performer. Beam’s music history includes by association, Bob Seger, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Bo Diddley, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Georgia Satellites and many others. Campbell toured and played within the music business during his younger days and spent the last 12 years working with area bands like Mojo Jones and the Last Chance Blues Band. Henrikson did a stint as the lead singer and front man for local favs Upfront before turning to the skins and harmony vocals with Bluesmattic. The trio began in 2006 when Beam relocated to central Illinois and continues to gig regularly, wowing the crowd with a versatile song list of blues standards and extraordinarily good originals.
Bluesmattic
Sat., July 25, 7-11pm
Kicks on 66 Tent Party
2744 S. 6th St.
www.bluesmattic.blogspot.com
