More than a few folks I know appreciate the autumn season as a favorite time of year. We can definitely notice the difference in the air and in the types of live music events happening as the cooler temps bring on a slowing of outdoor activities. But for now, we’re still on a roll with tons of music going on all over the place. Let’s look for some proof in the pudding.
Thursdays keep up the pace with Rod Grant (man, you’re everywhere these days) setting up shop on the patio at Casey’s Pub, the Family Harris as Bustin’ Loose gather at the Curve Inn, Al Kitchen and Danny Wilson work it out at Mother Road Diner (inside the Route 66 Hotel on South Sixth Street) and In the End, a Linkin Park tribute group with Cadence opening presents at Danenberger Family Vineyards.
Open mics continue with John Drake hosting the first Thursday monthly show at Ad Astra where they encourage extra participation by offering a space to “bring your instrument, voice, poetry (and/or) spoken word art” with a 6:30 p.m. signup and 7 showtime, while Kortney Leatherwood chairs the ever-popular, full-band jam time weekly at Blue Grouch.
Our calendar listings show Friday clocks in at over 25 music acts, Saturday has nearly 35 and Sunday delivers some 15, so you’ll have some decisions to make concerning your entertainment planning schedule this weekend.
Local favorites and a few new faces on Friday include Micah Walk at Harvest Market’s Farmhouse Brews upstairs mezzanine bar, while Dave Littrell and Jeff Cunningham hit at Sangamo Brewing in Chatham. Downtown Springfield offers the Steve Adelman Quartet at Boone’s for the Friday Night Jazz & Blues show hosted by our Springfield Area Arts Council while Tom & Geoff set up at Bloom Wine Bar and Stuart Smith gets it at Ad Astra. Ricki Marvel gives us an album release party at Dumb Records, joined by Fujiko, The Blank Stairs and Zuh-Cari just as Smokestacks blows up the blues in their debut at Buzz Bomb. Simultaneously, Josie Lowder Band rolls into George Rank’s, 3’s Company makes themselves at home at Long Bridge Golf Course, White Lightnin’ plays country cool at VFW #755 and Big Guy & the MOB hits the mark at Jamie’s Route 66.
Saturday keeps on keeping on with an early (for me) start at 10 in the morning by Kate Laine at Stella Coffee & Tea, moves on into the afternoon with the Beige Desperadoes entertaining at Bomke’s Pumpkin Patch (12-3) and Avery Kern takes it on in at The Range in Chatham (3-6). Rock bands rock out with Off the Wall in the afternoon leading up to the Matt Miller Band at Weebles, the Brandy Kristin Band doing it right at the Curve Inn and The Remedy taking the cure at Town Hall Pub in Loami.
On Sunday we have a couple out of the ordinary events along with regular Funday activities. Check out the LevelUp Cup Harvest Festival (1-7) featuring music by Sunshine Daydream and Dead Man’s Dog on the LevelUp store grounds (1801 S. Sixth St.), while Goodfellas hosts Kortney Leatherwood, Mississippi Leghound, The Cocktails, The Rick Mari Band and Hipbone Sam Band for a Forty Niner Throwback party with proceeds benefiting Military Families Together (2-7). Also, Robert Sampson gets going at Hill Prairie Winery, Naughty & Nice gets down at Brookhills and Jonnie Concaroo gets away at It’s All About Wine. Then, our old friends, Kilborn Alley, play Blue Monday at The Alamo to start things all over again.
Please see our listings for the many more music-making events this week.
This article appears in County Board elections in the spotlight.
