With this warmer than usual weather, we’re seeing early bloomers of outdoor shows ever so slightly. It won’t be long before all the patios, gardens and decks are full of live music at the appropriate venues around town. Let’s see what’s in store for this upcoming warm and maybe wet weekend. Thursdays open our scheduled […]
Tom Irwin
Tom Irwin, a sixth-generation Sangamon County resident, has played his songs and music for nearly 40 years in the central Illinois area with occasional forays across the country. He's contributed to Illinois Times since 2000 by writing Now Playing, a weekly music column, as well as features stories and other articles. He resides on the Irwin family farm in rural Pleasant Plains.
Posted inNow Playing
Bring on April music
For some reason things feel like they’re moving rapidly right now as we are set up to get into the second full weekend in April already. Time marches on and I guess we just have to keep up with the beat and follow on through to the other side. And, of course, enjoy the many […]
Posted inNow Playing
Midweek music muster
Hello everyone to the month of April and all the music therein. We missed making an April Fool’s Day issue by one day, so no fooling, we’re going to stick to the truth as we see it and report on the happenings going on this Easter weekend and beyond. Oh boy, do I remember a […]
Posted inMusic
Music through March
Here we go into the last weekend of March with weather that to say the least – and I always try to say the least – is still unsettled. But never fear my fellow music aficionados, soon our dreams of beer gardens and wineries, fairs and festivals, backyards and block parties all full of live […]
Posted inMusic Features
March to the music
As we leave behind the recent blast of uninvited, somewhat unexpected and definitely unwanted wintry weather and head into the first day of spring (March 20 at 9:46 a.m. for 2026, astronomically speaking), it won’t be long until we’re full on into our outdoor shows. As we impatiently wait for the summer season, let’s see […]
Posted inMusic
St. Pat’s parties on
As we continue to march along through the times, the time has come to celebrate the Irish connection with another St. Patrick’s Day parade and party. With the big green show on Saturday, our entertainment scene gets in on the “ceilidh” (just say KAY-lee and don’t look at the spelling), along with plenty of other […]
Posted inMusic Features
March music is on
Here we go taking a stroll through the first full weekend of March, with a whole bunch of happenings and heralding, notes and news, write-ups and rundowns, plus much music being made. Let’s march on down the column to find out the what, when and where of it all. We begin with sad news of […]
Posted inBand Spotlight
February leaving
As we race through our last days of February, there’s a range of reactions and actions swirling around as time marches on. So let’s go take a twirl to see what’s out there for us all right now. Last Friday, Feb. 20, the Curve Inn caught fire and by now most of you are likely […]
Posted inNews
Community rallies around Curve Inn after fire
Despite much speculation on social media, there are no definite answers yet about how a fire Friday morning at the Curve Inn started. An official investigation is scheduled to begin Monday. Ami Merchant, who co-owns the popular bar, restaurant and music venue with her husband, Ray, said in a Facebook post that she and several […]
Posted inMusic
February flying by
As we approach the last full weekend in February, I know it’s the shortest month, but sometimes this one feels like the longest as we plod and plow through with our sights set soundly on spring. Then again, we all know what makes it fly by and be less un-Februar-able (just made that up) can […]
Posted inMusic
Weekend music cram
My goodness, there’s a lot going on this weekend and I’m just talking about days of significance for now without getting to the music. We have a Friday the 13th, Valentine’s Day on Saturday, then a President’s Day federal holiday on Monday. Sunday could be the Ides of February or President’s Day Eve or Post-Valentine’s […]
Posted inMusic Features
February music fun
Fancy this. my fellow February friends. Suppose you live in a world that offers live music at a reasonable price (often free) in varying venues (generally well-kept) on a regular basis (more than one show nearly every night of the week) and all you need to do to participate is to participate. Yes, this described […]
