As we wander into the second full weekend of April, post-eclipse fever is overshadowed by an array of activities, all blessed with above-average temperatures and sunshine galore. And may I say (because it will be May soon), that comes just in time for more music outdoors wherever the place may be.
It's the second Thursday of the month and that means it's time for Thursday Night Live at Motorheads to shine on. The showcase series celebrates another year passing from when Kevin Roberts had the wild idea of presenting local talent in public similar to his home concerts he had been hosting with fellow musicians. Now, a couple years and much music-making later, TNL is still going strong. This month's guests include Jim McCann, Chris Noonan, Jackson Kirkland, The Pepper Sprouts (Trish Giacomini and Mandy Rose), Stefan Huffman Band (Stefan Huffman, Dan Grover, Tim Holt and Ian McDonald) and New City Road (Aley Alvey, Ian and Scott Mundstock, Harry Lounsberry and Ryan King) along with a few surprises, as always. Congratulations on the successful event and continuing what Kevin originally described as "organized chaos" for years to come.
Friday brings a bright and shiny selection of shows to attend if you're willing to take part in the profound performances available for your perusal. Friday Night Jazz & Blues at Boone's blooms with The Jaybirds from Champaign doing expected jazz and blues standards but with a "dash of pop, played with heart and soul" per their Facebook page description. Buzz Bomb beams out a free show hosted in an extremely rocking fashion by Life in Idle with specially invited guests Mild Cartoon Violence, Escape Room and Misery Garden. Take a drive to Petersburg for a visit upstairs at Broadgauge to catch a bright night of tasteful blues with Brandon Elliott and Devin Williams. These two young bluesmen bring a respect for old-timey, fingerpicking blues and each reaches down deep into the blues basket for different genres for a night of complimentary styles and tastes. The Kitchens, as in the father and daughter duo of Al and Kathy, positively radiate at VFW Post 755, continuing their lifelong collaboration of performing country and pop music. They combine Kathy's emotive voice and Al's mighty fine singing and guitar playing. Keep on keepin' on, Kitchens.
Saturday brilliantly reflects more of our well-represented music scene with several of the usual suspects playing around town. Start your day with a flash when the Springfield Uketopians light up Stella Coffee and Tea at noon. The Blue Grouch hosts its first Adult Prom with Roxschool (Who else do you want for a prom night concert?) teaching us how it's all done. Dress appropriately and expect the king and queen to be crowned about 10 p.m. Lick Creek keeps the warm waters flowing at the Curve Inn while Brushville shimmers at Motorheads and Mississippi Leghound glows at Casey's Pub. Positively 4th Street gleams at Mowie's Cue for a Spring Bash party with guests Silhouette and Robber Baron while The Red Ribbon Revue glistens at Harvest Market and Jay Larson Band dazzles at George Rank's. And that's just a flicker of what's going on.
Sunday funday is coming in hot (it is "sun" day) with all kinds of music in all kinds of places. And with a high of 80 forecasted, you better believe a bunch of those gigs will be outside in the glorious sunshine with folks soaking in the free Vitamin D.
Let's end now and get ready to sparkle. Please check our listings for all of the other happenings happening out there.
