Untitled Document Few dreams in life are as fervently and desperately chased as those of the aspiring artist — but if there’s a reason to preserve those d]]> Bells in Motion, a locally based, nationally known, professional handbell ensemble, gets my vote as one of the most interesting creative organizations in town. The 16-member group literally puts bells]]> After this wonderfully busy, gig-a-day week (with two on Friday and three on Saturday), including venues from first grade classrooms to high class social clubs, barrooms full of temporary drunken sail]]> Untitled Document This e-mail appeared this week in my inbox among the typical calendar items, right between a chicken fry and a book sale: “The Lee Boys will ]]> Untitled Document Perhaps you’re wondering: What in the name of some Mississippi crossroads does the blues have to do with Taylorville, Ill., the quiet little ]]> Untitled Document I hate to be the bearer of bad, sad news, but here goes: The Underground City Tavern is not long for this world, and this weekend will mark the end of an era fo]]> Not long ago Springfield was sorely lacking in club venues capable of handling a few hundred folks to see national touring acts. Now within a few months, voila!, ask and ye shall receive, here you go,]]> Untitled Document Here are my suggestions for a weeklong binge of live music. Start at 6 p.m. tonight, Thursday, with a visit to the lovely Inn at 835, on South Second Str]]> Untitled Document Yeah, yeah, yeah — it’s like nowhere, man, trying to get the word out across the universe that yesterday I’d needed some help! But]]> As you experienced live music goers know, July means a plate chock full of performances coming out of our ears, to improperly mix metaphors or simulate similes or otherwise antagonize proper grammar a]]> Close to a year ago area artist Mike Mayosky extended his longtime outreach of art to the public by inviting other artists to display works in a free-for-all party of sorts that functioned as a downto]]> Untitled Document So what’s the rumble on the streets these days? Is it the newest of the new, the cutting edge of modern pop, the groundbreakers and world-shak]]> In our contemporary world of instant change and constant flux, generational pastimes are a lost presence, seemingly passed by for the latest and greatest new thing, barely becoming rooted before being]]> Untitled Document Blame it on the summer solstice or whatever you want, but the entertainment schedule this week in the Springfield area is borderline mani]]> Untitled Document Oh yes, laddies and lassies, it’s that special time of year in which we celebrate the Irish in all of us. This year St. Patrick’s Day f]]> Untitled Document I caught up with Chicago singer/songwriter Stolie last week just as she was downloading material onto Sonicbids (an online promotional site for musicians). Befo]]> Untitled Document They say that when it rains it pours — or perhaps it’s an April-shower thing. Whatever the saying, there is a regular deluge of live mus]]> Untitled Document What do free jazz and cool country have in common? For our purposes, nothing much except time and place: Performers of the two musical genres make a]]> From her preteen songwriting attempts through her graduation from the Berklee College of Music, Victoria Vox dreamed of becoming a professional singer/songwriter. ]]> Along with the privilege of writing this week’s IT cover story on Sean and Jamie Burns’ legacy with the Sangamon Valley Roots Revival came many personal recollections unable to fit into th]]>