Come along for serious fun and good works as we hang out for the last weekend of April. Amidst the regular happenings of frivolity and frolic are some serious issues that folks in the music world are doing to help out those in need using the curative powers of making music together.
In the early evening on Thursday, downtown comes alive with several cool goings-on going on within a few blocks of each other. Over at Craft Beer Bar, Julie Jules & Co., a jazz/bossa nova trio of Julie Hulvey, Ben Taylor and Frank Parker does their thing, while Crimes Against the Moonlight, featuring Ted Keylon, Frank Trompeter and Mariana Elise are playing all Leonard Cohen all the time at Buzz Bomb. A few blocks away at Dumb Records (and Breadstretchers), Marbin, a popular, progressive jazz-rock fusion band from Chicago with a national and international following, plays the place as Ben Delaurentis opens the show, while down the street at Vele, Myers-Brant-Paoni serve up acoustic favorites with a twist.
Friday night our outdoor, but still kind-of indoors, venues are kicking in with Captain Geech sailing into Long Bridge, The Shenanigans cutting it up at Blue Grouch, Sushi Roll hamming it out at Weebles, Staggard taking it to the country at Danenberger’s and Groove Daddies grooving everything in sight at the Curve. Plenty of solo and duo acoustic acts make the rounds around town as well, all listed in the “Live Music” listings in your Illinois Times.
Saturday we get to the heartbreak and helping part of the week with a tribute and fundraisers dominating the big night. Out at the Curve, join The Rick Mari Band, a House of Nasty reunion and Rockhouse in celebrating the life and times of Shane Shomidie, son of rocker man Micky Shomidie. No one is sure what happened to Shane while kayaking on the Sangamon River last spring, but his body was found on May 1, 2018. His 31st birthday would have been on April 25, 2019 and his celebration of life is this Saturday, April 27. Micky says, “As a dad, I believe I speak for Shane’s siblings in that while we do not and will not ever have closure because we still don’t know exactly what happened, we all have accepted it, but still can’t believe it.” Here’s to Showtime Shane Shomidie and all the good he did while here and to his memory in keeping the good going as he’s moved on.
Please join in for TommyAid at the Capital City Bar & Grill on Saturday to return the support to Tom Hart, known as one of Springfield’s greatest live music supporters, with an all- day fundraiser starting at 2 p.m. Tom fought off cancer and at last report is cancer-free, but he can use a hand in paying medical bills and traveling down the road of recovery. Bands include Chris Camp and his Blues Ambassadors, MojoCats and Mary Jo Curry & Friends, plus there is a GoFundMe page set up for Tom if you’re unable to attend, but still want to help. Down in Divernon at Maddy’s Tavern, folks are getting together at a benefit for the family of Brian Brummett, a father and husband who recently passed away from heart failure. There will be food, music, a silent auction and all kinds of ways to show your support when you show up to aid this family in paying medical bills and funeral costs, all while dealing with the loss of a loved one who helped provide.
Coming soon to a world near you is the merry month of May-be.
