Here we go on our adventures in music-making for the second full weekend of September for 2022. I suppose we are officially into the fall season now following Labor Day (I put away almost all of my white outfits), but there's still plenty of time and fine temperatures to enjoy outdoor activities, especially those involving live music performances.
We begin with some Thursday evening happenings, including the one-and-only Johnnie Owens at Pease's at BUNN Gourmet, Curt Smith hitting the hits at Casey's Pub patio area, the inimitable Rogers & Nienhaus at the Curve Inn and Jammin' Joel Honey hosting an open mic at Buzz Bomb.
The train keeps a-rollin' on Friday as The Emerald Underground celebrates an (almost) Halfway to St. Patrick's Day night with a Celtic Fusion-inspired appearance at Third Base, while the Friday Night Jazz series continues at Boone's with The Stark Quartet. White Lightnin' keeps the cool old country alive at Weebles, Jeff Young and the Bad Grandpas play well with others at Harry's Adult Day Care and Bustin' Loose brings the family (Harris, that is) to Motorheads.
Saturday delivers an incredible variety of acts including the groovy sounds of Jay Larson Band + Eva & Marla at George Ranks, Blue Country Revue and the Downhomies serving it up right at Sangamo Brewing in Chatham, Carl Bopp keeping things hoppin' at Lime Street Cafe and Afterschool Special doing duo covers and originals at Walnut Street Winery in Rochester.
Ready or not, here are some Sunday suggestions, as Phil Steinberg sings Sinatra songs at the St. Cabrini Parish Fall Festival, Captain Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters arrive at Hill Prairie Winery and Jonnie Concaroo Band rolls into Sheedy Shores WineGarden.
And that's not all, folks. This Friday and Saturday out at New Salem, it's time for the annual traditional music gathering where bluegrass bands play in Kelso Hollow in the evenings, then during the day on Saturday impromptu acoustic jams pop up all over the village. It's a great time to wander and listen or bring along an instrument and join in.
All day long on Saturday, the Knights of Columbus Hall on Meadowbrook hosts the first Oktoberfest of the year with German and American-style food and drinks, plus real German traditional music bands, including Die Musikmeisters, Die Spitzbaum and German Heidelberg Band. All proceeds from the Oktoberfest go to St. Martin De Porres in Springfield.
On Sunday, it's the 27th annual Jerry Garcia Tribute at Duncan Park featuring several local bands. all presented by Penny Lane, which also uses this event to honor the late and great Joe Utterback.
This Sunday, folks will come together for a Music Jam (1-7 p.m.) at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Meadowbrook to celebrate the life and times of Robert "Bob" Sloan, who passed away late last December. It was Bob's wish not to have funeral services, but instead host musicians, friends and family to play music and have a fun time. Bob was unassuming, but he had a good deal to do with local music, first by playing in a band called the Signets in the mid-60s, then helping to found and guide the Illinois Central Blues Club. In his later years he owned and operated Cat Herders Studio, where he supported original music by recording singer-songwriters for free. Bob will be missed by all for his behind-the-scenes doings that mentored many musicians and artists of all kinds. Please plan to come play or listen as we pay tribute to this iconic friend to the local music scene.
See you next week, and be sure to peruse the music listings for more stuff.
