MUSIC | DiNizio unplugged Pat DiNizio, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the Smithereens, rolls into
Springfield Thursday night as one stop in his second countrywide living room
concert tour. Taking to the road years ago in a never-done-before manner for
someone with a certain level of national recognition, he performed in people’s homes and backyards. His return to this intimate form of touring that has
become popular recently includes an appearance at WUIS Suggs Performance
Studio, which transforms into a living room for the show. DiNizio rocks a
showcase of acoustic versions of Smithereens songs, along with performances
from his tribute to Buddy Holly released this year on the 50th anniversary of Holly’s death.
Pat DiNizio
Thursday, Apr 9
7:30pm
Suggs Performance Studio
University of Illinois at Springfield
206-6516
$50
DANCE |Modern marvels Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Jim Vincent, Hubbard Street
Dance Chicago is among the most original forces in contemporary dance.
Critically acclaimed for its exuberant, athletic and innovative repertoire,
HSDC’s dancers display unparalleled versatility and virtuosity in performances that
inspire, challenge and engage audiences worldwide. Celebrating 30 years as one
of the most renowned dance institutions in the world, and one of the only to
operate year round, it serves as an emblem of Chicago’s international cultural profile.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Thursday, Apr 16
7:30pm
Sangamon Auditorium
University of Illinois at Springfield
206-6160
$37-$42
MUSIC |Rock and wild Get ready to be transportedback in timeas The Del Moroccos blow into town next Friday. Described as sizzling,
charismatic and powerful, this eight-piece rock ’n’ roll band from Chicago, which includes twin saxes and keyboard fronted by three
female singers, performs a full-length show of dirty R’n’R and R&B material as part of the WUIS Bedrock 66 Live Series at the Hoogland. Mix the
Ray-ettes and Link Wray together, add a blast of garage and late 1950s black
rock ’n’ roll, dress them up like Johnny Cash, and you get a raucous, mean mix of ’50s garage with a new sound influenced by rockabilly, surf, ska, jazz and R&B. The Del Moroccos set list features choice selections of obscure, rocking
early independent record label songs and wild originals, capturing a sound that
teeters somewhere between the ’50s and ’60s, and is performed with the emotion of early punk and mod revival.
The Del Moroccos
Friday, Apr 17
8pm
Theatre 3
Hoogland Center for the Arts
420 S. Sixth Street
523-2787
$17, $15 in advance
BAND SPOTLIGHT | Calvin Johnson Unless you’re a die-hard indie-rock fan it’s not likely you’ve heard of Calvin Johnson or Ian Svenious or their latest bands, The Hive
Dwellers and Chain and the Gang. Johnson used to front the Beat Happenings and
started K Records, a label based in Olympia, Wash., that was so influential to
the grunge-independent music scene of the ’90s, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana tattooed the label’s logo on his forearm. Svenious hangs in the Northwest as well and fronted
countless bands over the years, including Nation of Ulysses, Weird War, and the
Make-Up. Both prolific singer-songwriters are coming to town, sharing the same
musicians for their different bands and promoting new recordings from the K
Record collection. Come hail these true masters and trailblazers of our
contemporary indie-rock culture at this all-ages event.
Calvin Johnson of The Hive Dwellers
Chain and the Gang, the Seething Coast
April 14, 7 p.m., all ages
Black Sheep Café
www.myspace.com/blacksheepcafe
www.krecs.com
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2009.
