In Springfield, beer gardens are like the famed
Midwest morel mushrooms: they’re hard to find, pop up in the spring,
and become no good when it gets too hot outside. Drop by the Alamo (115 N.
Fifth St., 523-1455) for a garden full of music every Friday from 5 to 8
p.m. beginning with the blues grooves of Black Magic Johnson on May 20.
Crack a cold one, let the sun shine in, and soak up the music.
Looking for a summertime
Sunday evening jazz jam? Why sure you are! Now get yourself over to
Gabatoni’s Restaurant (300 E. Laurel St., 522-0371) from 7 to 10 and
hang with Eddie and Judy Howard. The Peoria musicians are hosting the
get-together featuring area players on a who-knows-who’ll-show basis
that is sure to attract a passel of jazz cats looking to throw down the
riffs.
In more Sunday night fun,
Posamist is starting a run at the Firehouse (430 E. Monroe St., 522-1717)
from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The group, fronted by Joe Frew, comes very highly
regarded by our local music authorities. In fact, these sources liked the
band both for their music as well as their important ability to attract
females. Isn’t that wonderful?
X-Krush, inside sources say,
is currently the hottest hard rock/metal band in east central Illinois.
Come and judge for yourself as Mikey and Smash from WQLZ host the loud and
the proud, Friday night at Karma (625 N. First St., 522-1907) starting
around 9 p.m.
Congratulations to Josh Reilly
and Matt Meinert for a year of hosting the Tuesday night Acoustic Open Mic
at the Underground City Tavern (700 E. Adams St., 789-1530). They deserve a
pat on the back plus an ice-cold bottle of Stag for dealing with all the
shenanigans an open stage can deliver. Here’s to you, fellas. Bottoms
up!
This Friday, May 20,
Razin’ Kane, Springfield’s finest purveyors of smooth jazz,
make a too-rare local appearance. Catch them from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Jazz
Central Station (700 E. Adams St., 789-1530) high atop the mighty Hilton
and experience some of the finest musicians in town getting down.
This article appears in May 19-25, 2005.
