WHAT: Animate Objects, Jay Moses
WHERE: Canopy Club ($7)
WHEN: Thursday, July 1
Former locals who have relocated to Chicago, Animate Objects bring their jazzy hip hop to the Canopy Club stage. If you like a nice, easy head bob to your hip hop, this is your show. And still-local Jay Moses should be raring to go after getting the short end of the stick a couple of weeks ago with that whole Lil’ Kim thing. He might have a little something to get off his chest.
WHAT: IPAN
WHERE: Iron Post ($3)
WHEN: Thursday, July 1 at 7 p.m.
Some variation of this steel drum/salsa jazz band has now been playing out live in/and around town for nearly two decades. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek out their live set and appreciate what they bring to town. Appreciate them!
WHAT: Centaur, Peace Beach
WHERE: Mike ‘n Molly’s
WHEN: Saturday, July 3 at 8 p.m.
Centaur makes a rare local live appearance. Nationally, this band has always been overshadowed by Matt Talbot’s other gig, but we know better around these parts. We’ll have a more complete preview later in the week. I have no idea who Peace Beach is and they appear ungoogle-able. So feel free to help me out if you know something.
WHAT: Champaign County Freedom Celebration
WHERE: Dodds Park (Free)
WHEN: Sunday, July 4 at 7 p.m.
This is the deal where people go watch stuff blow up. The pre-blowing up stuff activities include the musical stylings of Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets. Apparently they “have been legends since 1980 for their boffo stage show, featuring props, silly hats, funny faces, zany antics, and of course, great rock’n’roll expertly performed.” Props + silly hats = freedom. USA! USA!
HEY EVERYBODY OUT THERE IN CYBERCHAMPAIGN! We’ve got a community-authored opportunity for you to pimp your show. Remember that if you are playing, promoting, hosting, attending a show, you can add it to our events calendar.