Onward we go into the bizarre world of a global pandemic with empathy and compassion for those most closely affected by a direct connection to COVID-19, plus thoughtfulness and care for the rest of us, however touched by this worldwide concern. In this column about live music, we can rest assured that musicians playing in […]
Music Features
Posted inMusic
Play May music
As we wander into the first full week of May 2020, the world we live in is still quite topsy-turvy from only one year ago, or any time in the past, for that matter. We’re keeping close in our hearts those who’ve lost loved ones and those on the front lines, plus making a special […]
Posted inMusic
Month of May(be) music
As we enter our seventh week of talking about live music without public performances, it’s so appropriate to be starting the month of May. And that’s only because I’ve referred to it as the month of Maybe for years and now May is very much a maybe month. To give proper intellectual credit, Jim Schniepp, […]
Posted inMusic
Music to cope by
Welcome to week number six of downtime, sheltering and stay-in-place doings as we pay attention to the experts and curb the curve on this COVID-19 pandemic that has sent our world and the world at large into a tailspin. I’d like to express a special thanks to those working in direct contact with this stuff […]
Posted inMusic
On Prine and more
Here we go for week number five (I’m losing count) of downtime due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, as we stay in private and out of public places as much as possible. Since this column is based mainly on talking about live music performances, we’ve had to adjust to other subjects, including live streaming shows. […]
Posted inMusic
A really virtual reality
Greetings all, to week number four (I think) of our quarantined, social-distancing world of the present situation. First, before getting into any music talk, let’s send solace to the grieving who have lost loved ones and our respects to those lost souls taken by this virus and all others who’ve recently departed this plane for […]
Posted inMusic
On playing online
Here we are in week number three of Now Not Playing with at least another several weeks ahead of closed venues, social distancing and no way to see live music like the way we used to within the parameters established by those in the know. So with the lack of music made by those in […]
Posted inMusic
More playing now than before
Last week sure seems like a lot longer ago than just last week, but time is relative and it’s been in a relatively strange and peculiar mode as of late. I have no desire to dwell upon the recent changes that each of us has experienced in some form or another, but there’s no way […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Want to know what’s going on in the virtual world of events and activities?
Click here for an up-to-date list of online events and activities. Let us know and we will include it in the Illinois Times online calendar. Many organizations and businesses may have temporarily closed their physical doors, but they are opening the doors into their virtual events. From kid’s art contests to online learning resources to […]
Posted inMusic
Not playing now
I know it’s not the time to be flippant, but perhaps it’s okay to make a joke and say that my Now Playing column could be retitled “Not Playing Now” or something else involving silly, somewhat clever wordplay. But in all seriousness, it’s a brand-new world for at least a few weeks, no matter how […]
Posted inMusic
Get your green on
Yes, my friends, it’s that time of year where many of us become beguiled with all things related to the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration centered around our local parade which starts on Saturday “promptly at noon” on the streets of lovely downtown Springfield. There’s plenty of local Celtic music going on, but first let’s […]
Posted inMusic
March music making
Here we go into the first full weekend of March and with some nicer weather happening, you can almost feel the outdoor venues popping up to prepare for a summer of fun. In the meantime, let’s see what marches on in the music scene for now. Thursdays continue to shine and this week we have […]
