Just in case you're a little like me in wondering how in the world did the summer go flying by, wake up and smell the ragweed, it's Labor Day weekend already. After a few weeks of unseasonably mild weather, we've got a scorcher going now. So cool your jets, then let's see what's playing in the fantastical world of the Springfield music scene.
Thursday gets us into the weekend and this one is sizzling with music. Joey Tenuto returned to his hometown last week and tonight at El Taco Guapo at the Lake Springfield Marina is your last chance to catch the talented guitarist and singer. You can also wish Denny Moore a happy birthday while digging Joey's cool take on blues and more. We old-timers sure remember Joey's dad, Joe Tenuto, and the many gigs he played back in the day around town. It's always good to see the next generation up and at 'em, giving us the what for, so we can rest assured the music carries on.
Other Thursday action gives us The Grand Moff at the Curve Inn and Ricarda Rosalina taking her act to the Northend with a show at Fulgenzi's.
Here's a heads-up about the Downtown Music Festival happening in our neighboring city of Decatur this weekend. With over 30 bands playing on Friday and Saturday. utilizing four stages and music happening at staggered times, acts include (among others) Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Wolf Crick Boys and Los Injectors on Friday, plus Marbin from Chicago. The Lovelorn and Fireside Relics are a few of the Springfield bands headed east to play this new festival along with the night's headliners. It's free, it's fun and it's not far, so get going.
Friday has calmed down a bit from the feeding frenzy of the fair in August, but there's still a good bunch o'stuff going on. I see Buzz Bomb blowing it up with Blind Mind, doing some "heavy-hitting original hard rock/metal" from Jacksonville joined by Springfield's own Before The Fire Dies banging out what they call "metalcore" in a most spectacular way.
To counter the heavy sounds, head for acoustic stylings over at The Railyard on South Sixth Street near the upgraded overpass with The Tangents or meander to Bar Bella behind Bella Boutique on West White Oaks to catch After School Special.
Wait around until Saturday and you'll find an assortment of musical goodies including Dysfunctional Family kicking it hard at the Blue Grouch, Bella and Ryan Cassell at Coz's Pizza Acoustic Series night, Bustin' Loose bringing it all back home at Elks Lodge 158 on the lake and Sarah Schneider rolling into Obed & Isaac's. Take a trip back to Buzz Bomb for the Healing Arts Festival all day and into the night (3 to 11 p.m.) to experience live music art, visual art, healing arts and all-around art a-plenty.
Believe it or not (I choose to not), Sunday is the first of September, and with Labor Day on Monday, we get an extra weekend day and the scene is taking full advantage of the situation. Michael Burnett is giving himself an early birthday party out at Danenberger Family Vineyard with a fine group of musicians including Devin C. Williams, then Robert Sampson followed by MB and his latest rendition of the Suns of Circumstance. Happy almost-birthday, Mike.
Colin Helton brings his fired-up band to Brookhills Golf Club, Star 6 Nine delivers an all-star performance at the Curve Inn and OAT drops into the Brewhaus.
The choice of where to go is all yours, just make it happen without laboring, if you can.