The Overture is a rundown of live music and performances happening in and around Champaign-Urbana 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, December 12th
Matthew Miller
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m
Doctoral student Matthew Miller will be performing jazz vibraphone, alongside Jamie Mauck on drums and Ben Taylor on bass.
The Urbana Hootenanny
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Every Monday at the Rose Bowl, come hang out with some great musicians. A sort of open mic meets song share, you can expect a variety of music and performers.
TUESDAY, December 13th
Emma Taylor Quartet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Bassist Emma Taylor leads her quartet through a night of tunes, with Frank Kurtz on drums, Reggie Lewis on sax, and David McEtheron on keys
C-U Irish Session
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.
A jam session of local musicians playing traditional Irish tunes, with fiddle, accordion, banjo, flute, and more at Rose Bowl.
WEDNESDAY, December 14th
Photo from Rose Bowl Tavern’s Facebook page.
Photo from Rose Bowl Tavern’s Facebook page.The Reginald Lewis Quintet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Reginald Lewis on tenor sax, alongside Emma Taylor, Leon Lewis Nicol, Justin Dyar, and Jamie Mauck.
THURSDAY, December 15th
Emily Anne and Friends
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Folk singer-songwriter Emily Anne performs for americana happy hour and brings some friends to join in.
Ian Shepherd and Friends
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
Drummer Ian Shepherd teams up with other talented local musicians to bring you a great evening of jazz, blues, funk, and rock.
FRIDAY, December 16th
Jeff Helgesen Quintet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Trumpeter Jeff Helgesen returns to Rose Bowl with his stellar quintet, bringing you hard bop of the 1960s.
Photo from Bruiser Queen’s Facebook page.
Photo from Bruiser Queen’s Facebook page.Bruiser Queen
►Pour Bros // free // 7 p.m.
Rock duo Bruiser Queen is performing an acoustic set at Pour Bros on Friday night, bringing some high energy songs off their new album Between You, Me, and the Trash.
John Till
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 8 p.m.
John Till returns to the Rose Bowl on Friday night with his blend of country, folk, and blues.
Half House Studios
►Canopy Club // $10 // 8 p.m.
Hip-hop collective Half House Studios is taking over Canopy Club on Friday night, with performances from Mousepad, Supraman, Iamlosttwo, Whip Trip, Jamere XO, and many more.
The Blues Deacons
►Huber’s // free // 9 p.m.
The blues outfit from Gibson City are hitting Huber’s. Playing originals as well as blues classics, come by and “let the blues ease on into your soul.”
SATURDAY, December 17th
The Interdisciples
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10-20 suggested donation // 3 p.m.
A new supergroup of sorts, this interdisciplinary collaboration features live sound, visuals, dance, aerospace engineering, sound design, and more. This should be a very exciting event.
Photo from Rory Book’s Facebook page.
Photo from Rory Book’s Facebook page.Rory Book and the Volumes, Neoga Blacksmith, Yard Eagle, Colonel James Presents
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 8 p.m.
A very solid lineup of rock and folk, with three C-U bands as well as Yard Eagle joining from St. Louis.
SUNDAY, December 18th
Hot Club of Urbana
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 3 p.m.
Come get in the holiday spirit with Hot Club of Urbana, who will be playing Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas.
Wildwood String Band
►Watson’s Shack and Rail // free // 4 p.m.
Bluegrass and folk band Wildwood String Band will be performing at Watson’s. Fried chicken and bluegrass is the perfect combo.
Nick’s Country Jam
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 6 p.m.
An open mic of sorts, Nicholas Stine invites folks to get on stage and perform folk, country, and more.
Top photo from Emily Anne Band’s Facebook page.
