Tree frogs croakin’, fireflies flittin’ and June bugs jivin’ are all sure signs that the natural world is headed toward the summer season. All signs in our live performance world also point in the same direction with outdoor gigs galore in store for you and all who choose to join in the seasonal fare.
And speaking of fairs (a sloppy segue, I know), it’s time for our Sangamon County Fair, held, as usual, in New Berlin. We missed the opening on Wednesday, but the music doesn’t start at the Warren-Boynton State Bank Pavillion until Thursday evening with Alex Pearce then Brushville, while Friday drops X-Krush and Lick Creek with the big grandstand show of Scotty McCreery and Josh Turner in between. Saturday lures us with White Lightnin’ then Next Thing Smokin’ and Alex Pearce back on Sunday. Fair admission is $5 with the pavilion entertainment included, but daily grandstand shows (there’s the concert, monster trucks, a rodeo and the obligatory demolition derby) cost extra. Sounds fair enough to me.
Here’s a heads up for the Third Annual Zachary Ryan Harris Memorial Golf Outing and BBQ happening next Friday, June 19, at Piper Glen near Chatham. This is the organization’s main fundraiser, so please join in keeping Zachary’s spirit alive by supporting the foundation’s mission of distributing funds among local arts groups involved in youth education. Thank you and find more information on how to participate and contribute at ZRHFoundation.org.
Now to check on these crazy busy Thursdays cropping up lately. First up, let’s congratulate our very own R&B Live Ladies Edition for scoring the support slot before The Jacksons (yeah, those Jacksons are out celebrating over 50 years in show business) at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater in Decatur.
Then there’s the Levitt AMP concert at the Y-Block downtown featuring The Matchsellers blending bluegrass, roots and Americana with opening act the Whiskey Killers, a local combo.
Plus, it’s time for the monthly Thursday Night Live showcase at Motorheads featuring Niko Boeker, Captain Trip and The Space Cadets (Carl Akers, Joe Popich, John Heuman, Al Hibbert, Justin Lowe and Christine Parisella), Barbed Rose (Shelley Tulo, Aley Alvey, Dyllan Martin, Matt Smegal and Allan Harris) and Jim McCann.
Let’s go full festival mode right now beginning with the weeklong Juneteenth Celebration commencing Saturday at Comer Cox Park with music from The Saint Boogie Brass Band, Rudy Boz & Friends and the Springfield Municipal Band. Then after a Community Hour we commence again with Nicholas R., Soul Experience, Debbie Ross Band and the LeVert Experience with praise music on Sunday and an eventful, full week ahead.
Now we’re off to Greenview as the Sweetwater Music Festival hosts a Friday night pre-party and all-day music on Saturday with camping plus food and vendors. Musical artists include Mace Hathaway, Pity Thy Neighbors, Colt Ball, Pete Jive, Josie Lowder, Jobe Shores, Dracula Johnson, The Green View Band and Jake Rebman with more info on their Facebook event page.
Next let’s venture to Chatham for the Sangamo Brewing Summer Fest running all day on Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. presenting the hometown talents of Emily Perkins, Not Petty, Zack Fedor and Positively 4th Street for this free for all fest full of fun.
For downtown community-supported shows look for Cloven Peacock (former Colin Helton Band) in Union Park at noon on Friday for an Artist in the Park performance and Julie Jules & Co. on Saturday morning (10-11) as your Old Capitol Farmers Market entertainment special.
That’s a lot but not nearly all, so please review our listings for the rest then let’s catch up and mustard next week.
This article appears in June 11-17, 2026.
