With the state fair rush behind us and Labor Day weekend just ahead, this coming week feels like living in limbo. But never fear, there's plenty in store for you as we peruse the local listings with verve and gusto.
Sticking with Thursdays as our leadoff hitter, Al and Kathy Kitchen land at Mother Road Diner, Casey's Pub brings Curt Smith to its patio and Rod Grant pops into Sangamo Brewing, while the Curve Inn rocks the stage when Tina Thornhill, Josie Lowder, Kyla Kruse, Gwen Harris and Patty Kniss become the Rock & Roll Sisters. Open mics are still a large part of this night's action with Casey Cantrall doing a third Thursday spot at Bloom Wine Bar, Mike Metz hosting at The Bird Tavern and Kortney Leatherwood covering the Blue Grouch.
Look out for the Chandlerville Burgoo and Fish Fry and Homecoming this weekend going into its 70th year at the J.P. Flywheel Memorial Park (you can't miss it once you're there), as one of the few remaining burgoos cooking in central Illinois. The organizers are big on live music (which we sure appreciate) hosting Jeff Lee Isac on Thursday and the legendary Jacksonville band Tapestry on Friday with Saturday delivering Geezer in the afternoon and Route 66 Ramblers that evening. Bars in the village get in on the action, too, with Triple Threat at Daugherty's Pub and X-Krush at Duke and Joannie's Saloon on Friday night. They don't make 'em like this anymore folks, so get out there while and when you can.
Back in the capital city, Friday night gives us a diverse lineup of some 40 acts, including Dumb Records hosting a four-band extravaganza with The Lovelorn, Crash Planet, Rough Lovers and Master Bastard at the downtown store stage area, Micah & Kristi going acoustic at Harvest Market and Avery Kern back from Nashville with a full band in tow at Locals in Pawnee, right where she started performing not so many years ago.
Saturday is bursting at the seams with over 50 items in our listings including a big one at Lincoln Park when Springfield House Music Creatives hosts the second annual Land of Lincoln House Music Festival. The event features two stages, nearly 20 DJs and plenty of room to dance, grill, set up camp and enjoy the all-day affair with vendors on site, too. More happenings involve Hipbone Sam doing a reunion band show at the KC Lake Club Fish Fry, while Broken Stone celebrates 20 years of being a band with a special party at the Curve Inn (congratulations, guys!). Downtown, the Gin Mill Lounge gets down with a three-band show of Crash Planet, St. Louis duo Bruiser Queen and the Wolf Crick Boys back in the saddle after the loss of Lucky with Alex Irwin (relation) now singing and playing in the band. In Petersburg, Cafe Amulet brings live music to the latest establishment on the square with Kate Laine playing in the evening for the book fair after-party.
Sunday, still the official Funday, clocks in with nearly 25 shows, including afternoon band gigs of Jeff Young and the Bad Grandpas at Motorheads for Jeff McKay's celebration of life and Brandy Kristin Band at the Curve Inn as part of Johnny's Big Ride fundraising event. The action continues with the Red Ribbon Revue doing their duo at It's All About Wine, Dallas Whitaker taking on Dockside Grill, Antone DeRocchi bringing it to Brookhills Golf Club and Corey Evitts supporting his latest EP, 5 Tracks for Freedom, at AJ's Corner in Chatham.
See you next time for an early Labor Day weekend experience.