The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in Champaign-Urbana (and the outskirts) each week. All of the information is as accurate as we can publish; however, all shows and performances are subject to change at any time. Thank you for understanding.
Did we miss something this week? Have a show coming up you think we should know about? Email us at music@smilepolitely.com with the details.
Monday, January 27th
Urbana Hootenanny
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 8 p.m.
Tuesday, January 28th
Kathy Hardin and Dave Cooper
► Houlihan’s // Free // 5:30 p.m.
Jim Pryor and Kevin King
► Boomerangs // Free // 7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 29th
Hot Sauce Universe
► Blackbird // Free // 9 p.m.
Riles
► nightshop // Free // 10 p.m.
Thursday, January 30th
The Bottle Snakes and Hobnob String Band
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Prices vary // 5 p.m.
Kevin Hart Trio
► Baxter’s // Free // 6 p.m.
Buckcherry
► The City Center // Prices vary // 10 p.m.
Friday, January 31st
Swing Chevron, Dennis Stroughmatt & Friends, and Nyutt Chongo & Jason Finkleman
► The Iron Post // Prices vary // 5 p.m.
This show is part of the second day of C-U Folk and Roots’ Winter Weekend event. The show will feature an eclectic mix of music, from gypsy swing (Swing Chevron, Milwaukee) to the fiddlin’ of Stroughmatt (an Albion, IL native with a love of Franco-American musical traditions), and Nyutt Chongo and Jason Finkleman playing fusion music from Mozambique and elsewhere. This is sure to be a cool show for those who like to keep their music on shuffle.
Brad Wheeler Group
► Blackbird // Free // 5 p.m.
Koko and Cooper
► Neil St. Blues // Free // 8 p.m.
Groove Avenue
► Huber’s West End // Free // 8 p.m.
Dearie
► Bentley’s Pub // Free // 8 p.m.
The Slap Frost Revue
► nightshop // $13 adv., $15 door // 8 p.m.
Freddy Jones Band
► Castle Theatre // $20 // 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 1st
Nyttu Chongo: Music from Mozambique
► Spurlock Museum // Free // 2 p.m.
Image: Four members of The Chickadee Sermon stand against a setting sun. Mike Tasch and Charlie Harris stand on either side of Jennifer Hood and Olivia Tasch. One can side green grass and trees behind them. Image from the band’s Facebook page.
Devil in a Woodpile, Cole Bridges & the Overpass, and Chickadee Sermon
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Prices vary // 6 p.m.
The third night of Winter Weekend brings a whole lot of folk-inspired music. Devil in a Woodpile is a three-piece outfit specializing in acoustic music (including the washboard from time to time). Cole Bridges & the Overpass are coming off a short tour and the release of some new tracks. And The Chickadee Sermon will be throwing a party to celebrate the release of their album, Town to Town.
Peter Tijerina Nonet, ft. Melinda Rodriguez
► The Iron Post // Free // 6 p.m.
Ashley and The Goose
► Clark Bar // Free // 6:30 p.m.
Still Dreaming
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
Image: Violinst Rachel Barton Pine holds her violin under her chin, pointing toward the viewer. Behind her is green scenery that is obscured. The image focuses on Barton Pine’s face. She wears red-pink lipstick and her hair flows behind her back. Image from the Facebook event.
Magical Delights: Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra
► Krannert Center for the Performing Arts // Prices vary // 7:30 p.m.
The CUSO is celebrating 60 years with this concert featuring soloist Rachel Barton Pine. The selections from the night will include Mozart’s “Overture to The Magic Flute,” Barber’s Op. 14, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Smetana’s “Overture to the Bartered Bride,” and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88.
Brett Conlin & Band, Jeff Schaller & Band, Blind Adam & Band
► nightshop // $7 // 8 p.m.
Alison Hanna Band
► Pour Bros. // Free // 8:30 p.m.
New Souls
► Blackbird // Free // 9 p.m.
X-Krush
► Goldy’s // Free // 9 p.m.
Moody Good
► Castle Theatre // Prices vary // 9 p.m.
Union Street Players
► Watson’s Shack & Rail // Free // 10 p.m.
Sunday, February 2nd
Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra with Rachel Barton Pine (Fundraiser)
► Urbana Country Club // $75 // 2 p.m.
Image: A cowboy rides a brown horse that is in motion, one hand on the reins and out out behind him. He appears to be riding the horse on the moon as one can see half of the earth off in space behind him. The text on the image announces the show: “Silverweed, Rose Bowl, Sunday, Feb. 2, 5-7 p.m.” Image from the Facebook event.
Silverweed
► Rose Bowl Tavern // Free // 5 p.m.
Silverweed is a staple in the Rose Bowl community, usually playing every first Sunday of the month. They bring together a mix of classic rock and country covers interspersed with original material. If you’re not quite ready to get into the workweek, this show is a good one to keep the weekend going for just a few more hours.