One could hardly ask for a better party set up than when a major holiday falls on a Tuesday. That makes a four-day weekend for those able to take off Monday, and from what I hear, lots of workers have done so. Please remember all those poor, hard-working musicians playing overtime (and time and time over again) to keep the extra party days filled with live music.
Actually, you could start this exceptional time of live music adventures on Wednesday, June 28, the day before this issue hits the stands. I know it’s too late now, but what an incredible night of live music performance in the capital city! Let’s hope you noticed the Pub Crawl listings, or you have a good friend who kept you informed on the happenings. Black Magic Johnson, Hidden Hospitals, Clayton Shay Band, Kit Jones, Al Kitchen and John Stevens and Geoff Ryan all played at various bars that Wednesday. I mean, come on; that’s pretty cool stuff!
But they say we must not dwell in the past, so onward we march into this multi-day landslide of music that coincides with our Independence Day celebration. Of course, this is really all about our friend Kent Argenta’s birthday, which has been celebrated all over the country with fireworks and cookouts every year since 1776 – well, sort of, anyway. Happy birthday, Kent!
You know it’s a big weekend when Off the Wall plays the Curve Inn on a Thursday night. Sticking with the Curve Inn (the most un-dive dive bar around), X-Krush crushes it on Friday, Take 10 on Saturday, and to top it all off, a reunion of ancient bands of yore featuring Food & Money with Flock of Tooters on Sunday. Kickapoo Junction brings the contemporary country (you know, what we used to call rock ‘n’ roll) down from Peoria way for something a little different at the Blue Grouch on Friday. Downtown on Friday, The Station rolls into the Butternut Hut, Mike Burnett serenades the Brewhaus, Julie Jules & Company heats up Robbie’s, and Sarah Shook & the Disarmers rock the country at Bar None for a Bedrock 66 Live concert with Jonathan Field opening the show.
Why not get out of town on July 1 and make a small town run to see Elvis Himselvis at the Raymond Celebration? Or perhaps heading west to Tallula for a visit to Connor’s Corner Pub and a listen to RockHouse is more up your alley. Old Friends from the Fabulous Hoedads do the hootchie-coo at the Walnut Street Winery in Rochester. At 3 p.m., Trail’s End Saloon in Curran hosts something called Testy Fest, which conjures up a few strange images, but the website description says there’s “good food and music,” so I think we’re golden.
Sunday brings the usual afternoon winery shows, but with a nice twist of more than a few folks having Monday (and Tuesday) off, making the Sunday Funday rituals even more fun in the sun. For evening festivities, try Tradewinds Pub and Eatery next to Knight’s Action Park as New City Road takes it to the streets from 6 to 10 outside where there’s a covered pavilion, elevated stage and amazing things like trees, grass and a small lake to enjoy. Take 10 plays there on Monday night to extend the party weekend.
Don’t forget about the all day Capital City Celebration Saturday, on the empty lot near the Governor’s Mansion with live bands and much more. Then, how about taking a deep breath and spending the Fourth of July evening at Douglas Park with our Municipal Band for a final hurrah.
Happy extended Independence Day weekend!
Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected].
