With a few weeks of November 2023 under our belts, the time is slipping by like a cool fall stream in the autumn woods as we approach the midpoint of the month. Be on the lookout for Thanksgiving next Thursday, which means a big party night on Wednesday plus a lot of things to do everywhere. But let's see what we have incoming for this upcoming weekend first and not put the turkey before the feast just yet.
Speaking of that popular, edible, Thanksgiving bird, after several weeks of Thursdays leading the way to a weekend of happy hoopla, this one is a turkey. And not as described in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary as a "big, large North American gallinaceous bird," but under the slang reference as a "failure, flop," I'm sad to report. Perhaps after last week's enormously loaded night, we needed a break, but next week's Thursday, being Thanksgiving, will likely be completely gig-less, so let's buy stock in two weeks from now and see what happens. In the meantime, it's time to get going on toward our always dependable Friday nights. This week our cup overfloweth with live music.
We can start with a visit to Boone's for the early show of Friday Night Jazz and Blues with the Illinois College Jazz Ensemble taking the credit as the premier performer this week. Then let's make a ramble to Pier 55 out on Toronto Road when Hipbone and the Joints take on the lounge with Mr. Hipbone's formidable talents as a front man leading the band to a night of highly anticipated entertainment. Downtown, the very neat space below Terra Ferment (some may recall it as Charlie's at Andiamo) once again supports live music as Tom Beverly brings his Positively 4th Street combo to the friendly, stone-lined confines of the lower echelons of this interesting home of several types, styles, flavors and brands of beer. I'll be hanging out at Harvest Market playing with Owen Irwin and special guest Amy Battles as we whip up some musical mayhem, plus the Jay Larson Band quite exquisitely holds down the fort at George Ranks.
Continuing our Friday evening adventures, on the Maple Street strip, Amber's Place (once Rosalie's and Third Base) gives flight to Birds of a Feather as Dave Littrell and friends do the music of Phish. Next door at the Blue Grouch on the nicely done stage area, JackAsh comes to play, featuring IT's 2023 Best of Springfield winner in the female vocalist and keyboardist category, Ashley Staley, along with her music-playing partner, Jack Stege.
Hang on to your hat when Chris Camp and His Blues Ambassadors go a-swinging at Lime Street Cafe (on Saturday, too), while Mykal Baas brings his original, alternative folk to the folks at Buzz Bomb. If you want to travel just out of town, the Backroom Lounge in Riverton hosts a lineup of cool country songwriters featuring Wes Shipp, Brennan Edwards and Chris Huntt Jr., while Locals in Pawnee presents singer-songwriter Ella Gibson and Danenberger Family Vineyards near New Berlin sends Windy City Dueling Pianos to the plate.
That was a lot for one night, but what can one say, except that's a heckuva lineup for a Friday in this town, I'd say. Now it's up to you to keep it going by checking out all the excitement on Saturday, which basically has a different group in most of the aforementioned venues, plus more. Then Sunday Funday comes loaded with all kinds of entertainment goodies for you to enjoy, with everything listed in our music calendar.
See you next week for Thanksgiving stuff, including eve, proper and beyond.
