Hey, there, won’t you “be my valentine” for the time being or at least until this column is over? Now, let’s take a peek at the goings on that are going on, the happenings happening and all the whatevers we can find wherever they are and make plans to go experience them.
Thursdays are at it again, loading up the first day of our print publication calendar with a fine assortment of goodies including The Kitchens, the well-known and well-loved father/daughter duo of Al and Kathy playing at Mother Road Diner. Jose Gobbo drops back into The Pharmacy with Latin American-styled songs by the Ana de Oliviera Quartet as the art gallery section presents Choose Love as their latest exhibition of area visual artists. Let’s get going to Thursday Night Live at Motorheads as the monthly showcase continues with a long list of special guests including Chris Warren, Mary Jo Curry, Roger Wainwright and Stereo Typical (Bethany Deem, Michael Eads, Gary Lohrenz, Mark Killion and Paul Heine), plus the Rubber Biscuit Band (Cydney Long, Allison Jones, Matt Smegal, Dan Luparell, Roger Wainwright, Mike Newberry, Jeremy Peck, Larry Black, Mike Gillette and Kevin Roberts). It’s very cool to see some longtime Springfield music scene folks not lately seen in the mix up on the stage. Rock on, and on, my friends.
Friday night is St. Valentine’s Day proper so let’s celebrate with music for lovers if at all possible. I see a few nice acoustic shows out there including Micah Walk – Illinois Times BoS songwriter award-winner several times over – at Bar Bella, as well as Mandy Rose with special guest Mark Scassiferro at Pease’s at BUNN Gourmet and Cambry Agbagba at El Dorado Taqueria. Robert Sampson brings blues and more to Hy-Vee and Mike Burnett sets up with good friends Rick Mari and Joe Dawkins at Brookhills Golf Club, while Liz Fitz welcomes percussionist Dennis Maberry as a special guest upstairs at Harvest Market Farmhouse Brews.
Head downtown for adventures with Frank Trompeter and Chris Miller at Buzz Bomb as FT lovingly does his serious lounge act, while Zuh-Cari and David Alexander bring on a selection of soul songs live complimented by choice vinyl cuts to Ad Astra and Hipbone & the Joints get things moving and grooving at DH Browns.
Head south to find Jay and Kimberly Larson with acoustic hearts on their sleeves at Legacy Pointe Eatery and Captain Trip & the Space Cadets infiltrating George Rank’s, while Angel Brown delivers love songs a-plenty backed by her terrific Smooth ‘N Blue Band at Lime Street Cafe as the Curve Inn serves up a R&B Live Ladies Edition as a ticketed event.
On Saturday, we’re just going to have fun on our own and there’s sure plenty out there to find, so let’s have at it.
Sunday is still the official Funday and this one is extra special fun as folks gather at The Alamo (3:30-6:30 p.m.) to celebrate the life and times of the one and only Bobby Hoyt. That guy known to many of an age around town as “Tequila Bob” – you know, the little fellow with all the corny, funny jokes, dipping fingers into his tequila shot and dabbing it behind his ears who seemed to be at every music show supporting everything all at once for decades – left this earthly realm last fall. Now he’s getting a party with lots of friends plus plenty of local musicians playing and food by Cured Catering. We’re all going to say, “Don’t threaten me with a good time,” one more time, just for Bob.
Until next week…
This article appears in The Wedding Issue 2025.
