We’ve circled back around to Fat Ass time this weekend, as the popular event takes over the downtown area Friday night and Saturday day. But never fear, because along with your Fat Ass stuff, many other cool and equally appealing things are happening. There really is a Fat Ass 5K for experienced runners as well […]
Music
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Chris Vallillo
A nationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter, folklorist, musician and producer, Chris Vallillo has cultivated a status as the go-to guy for original and traditional folk-based song-playing during his 30-some years performing music. Along with several recordings of original songs that focus on the “people and places of ‘un-metropolitan’ America,” CV also produced and performed a couple of outstanding […]
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Maybe music here
No maybe about it, the merry month of May is upon us, signaling the beginning of the summer music season and the conclusion of the spring one. Some venues now choose to end entertainment for the warmer months when the festivals, beer gardens, fairs and homecomings begin in earnest. Nothing says May like Cinco de […]
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Movie magic plus a minor in music
A special concert by the UIS Orchestra this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Sangamon Auditorium will also act as a sort of coming-out party for exciting changes to the university’s music program. “We are starting an annual tradition,” said Yona Stamatis, director of the UIS Orchestra. “The plan is to have an orchestra concert every […]
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Alec James
Sometimes the best descriptions come from the artists themselves, and in this case we get: “Alec James is a musician and songwriter in the central Illinois area. He plays guitar, harmonica and has a particular affinity for acoustic folk music.” We could stop right there and that should be enough to intrigue a soul, but […]
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So long April and Riverboat 5+1
Here we go, wrapping up April 2017 like it was nothing. But far from nothing is what’s going on around town. There are final gigs, first gigs, fun gigs, gigs galore, and so much more happening in the various venues of our capital city. Don Udey of Riverboat 5+1, central Illinois’ leading Dixieland jazz band, […]
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JC Brooks
A force on the national scene for several years now, what started as a lark with a band called Uptown Sound has morphed into a major career of increasing proportions for JC Brooks. Based out of Chicago (and formerly on the city’s Bloodshot Records label) Brooks, as lead vocalist, along with band mates Alec Lehrman […]
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Alice being Alice
Ringling Brother and Barnum & Bailey Circus will hold its last performance next month. No matter. There is still Alice Cooper, who is a long way from folding his tent. With tickets priced at $47 and $71, Cooper has chutzpah for an artist whose popularity peaked 40 years ago. The ticket price, plus the fact […]
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Many music choices made
I know, I know; I keep complaining about having so many things to go and see in town that one (or more) can hardly find the time to see the sights and hear the sounds. Well, you know, it could be worse (and it has been), so let’s just step it up and go. On […]
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Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience
What does the son of legendary, iconic drummer Ginger Baker do with the drumming gene? He plays music on the drums, and that’s what Kofi Baker does. Beginning with a drumming debut TV experience with dad at age six, the long and winding road of this working musician includes duets during the early 80s with […]
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The Radon Lounge keeps concerts on the down-low
One of Springfield’s most consistently exciting and innovative music venues doesn’t even publish its physical address. For the past five years, the Radon Lounge has been hosting an impressive variety of local and touring bands, averaging one show per month. However, like a post-millennial speakeasy, anyone wanting to attend a concert at Radon is obliged […]
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Recording studio revamp
“It’s a great day,” said B.J. Pearce, studio manger of Southtown Sound. “We really have a lot going on for us right now.” The newly renovated recording studio located in the building directly behind Dumb Records near the corner of 11th Street and South Grand Avenue had its grand opening on Sunday, March 26, concurrent […]
