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Please join me in sending out hearty congratulations
to Scott Richardson and the crew at Roxy Theatricals for putting together a
record-breaking weekend at the Sangamon Auditorium with the local
production of Disney’s High School
Musical. The event, held Jan. 19-21 and
featuring more than 50 area high-school students, was a phenomenal success,
selling out three consecutive shows — a first in the
auditorium’s box-office history. I’m sure it was quite a thrill for everyone
involved, and with any luck this success will open the big stage to other
appropriate area productions. While we’re sending out good vibes, please take
a moment to push some good wishes to Black Magic Johnson and Jake Shane as
they represent our Illinois Central Blues Club at the International Blues
Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., this weekend. The blues musicians compete by
performing in front of judges in Beale Street bars on Thursday and Friday.
The winners at each venue advance to the finals on Saturday. Just getting
the opportunity to attend is a big deal. Making it to the finals will get
the guys some major attention, and winning the whole shebang could lead to
national recognition, with touring and record deals. Who remembers when BMJ
played Floyd’s every Wednesday night? Remember, ye faithful readers, the Now Playing column
of Jan. 11 that praised the talents of singer/songwriter Chris Vallillo? Of
course you do. I hope you didn’t brave the nasty weather that
Saturday to see his performance — the show was postponed. Catch the
makeup show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Lincoln Home Visitor
Center, 426 S. Seventh St. The gig is sponsored by the Prairie Grapevine
Folklore Society. Not that it’s much consolation for those of us
braving this miserably cold weather, but artists are being booked, possibly
at this very moment, for Music in the Park, Blues & BBQs, Washington
Street Jazz, the beer tents at the Illinois State Fair, Taste of Downtown,
and other warm-weather events. Even if that doesn’t thaw your toes,
perhaps it will warm your heart to think about all the great music on the
way and the hot and humid days sure to accompany it.
In a thoughtful e-mail response to last week’s
Now Playing discussion of open mics, a local rock musician wondered why
there were no band-oriented open stages where rockers could come forth in
groups to meet and greet and practice playing for an audience. My guess?
Simple logistics. It takes more time, more room, and more patience on the
part of a host to work with the number of musicians who would show up. I
recall a few successful band open mics in years gone by, though, so it can
be done. Did I just hear a budding rock-band open-mic host
say, “Here I am! Where’s my stage and signup sheet?” I
thought so. Good luck.
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Jan 25-31, 2007.
