Here comes the first weekend in March of 2016, and it’s in like a lion with music happenings.
Start your weekend on Thursday with a visit to The Alamo where Mary Jo Curry and Tombstone Bullet are the featured act in James Armstrong Presents, a weekly, early evening blues show. Over at Charlie R’s Steak House, Al Kitchen continues his every-Thursday showcase of area musicians by hosting Casey Cantrall and Geoff Ryan. Both these weekly events spotlight local talent during evening hours, in friendly venues with food available and drink specials, too. They have taken away all excuses, folks, so you must make it to support and enjoy these special performances.
Friday kicks off with an unusually high amount of assorted, acoustic-based roots music at various venues. Look for Johnny & The 2 G’s at The Craft Beer Bar featuring the acoustic rhythm guitar work, songwriting and singing of John Brillhart accompanied by bassist Geoff Ryan (one G who is everywhere) and Gary Fifer on mandolin (another G who gets around). Jay & Kimberly drop into Charlie R’s with an interesting set list, including tunes by Fred Eaglesmith that you don’t hear every day. For acoustic stylings of jazz, blues and big band, Johnnie Owens and Friends swing at Always After Five. For a big finish join Arlin Peebles, Dan Rhode, Patrick Russell and Bernie Flesch in an Acoustic Showcase at Bar None.
Also on Friday, Off the Wall celebrates at Crow’s Mill Pub with Steve Marvel’s Birthday Bash. It’s been said before but it should be said again that Steve truly is a marvel. Expect local musician celebrity guests, lots o’ fun and a party to end all parties. Happy birthday, Steve, from all your friends and fans. You’ve sure entertained us for years – and for years to come, I’m sure. Out at Casey’s Pub the guy who wrote, sang and played “Keep your hands to yourself”, the 80’s smash for The Georgia Satellites, plays with his band Homemade Sin. Opening act Iron Orchard with Bill Harroun, Kevin Dean, Kevin Nichols and Nathan Cowan hails from western Illinois to brazenly answer what is wrong with rock music these days by bringing the sound out of Macomb and into your ears, blazing at full blast.
Harmony Deep sets up shop for a Friday and Saturday at Lime Street Cafe. You can’t beat the sweet sounds of Brian Cutright, Tim Rolens and Sam Draper harmonizing on vocals while sharing guitar and bass duties with Alex Borisov covering lead guitar, plus Rick Snow on drums and percussion. All are lifetime musicians, invested in the scene, intent on performing songs you know well and do so very well.
On Saturday, from noon until six, (some venues continue later), local bar folks organized the Whirlpool Flood Relief Benefit, and many musicians donated their time and talent. The event raises money for those devastated during the floods in central Illinois late last December and specifically splits 100 percent of the donations between the education fund for the late Rob Gordon’s son Dewie and the We Will Not Bow, Kincaid Illinois organization setup to aid Kincaid. A $20 donation gets you a wristband for bus access traveling from bar to bar and band to band, plus food at each place. If you don’t take the bus, $5 gets you in a venue and there will be donation spots along the line. Venues include The Curve Inn, Weebles, Third Base, Floyd’s, Show Me’s, Crow’s Mill Pub, Mowie’s Cue, Burger Bar, Blue Grouch and The Sandbar. A full list of what band is playing when and where is available on the event Facebook page.
Don’t forget to prepare for the St. Pat’s party and parade next week!
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2016.
