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, November 15th
Urbana Country Music Community Band ft Dyke Corson
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5:30 p.m.
Head to the Rose Bowl to hear some country hits from The Community Center for the Arts’ music ensemble.
TUESDAY, November 16th
Image by Sean Wilkinson.
The Dig 3
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Acoustic blues and folk powerhouse The Dig 3 play Rose Bowl!
Brad Wheeler Group
►Boomerangs Bar and Grill // free // 6 p.m.
Tuesday jazz at Boomerangs with Brad Wheeler Group, made up of Brad Wheeler (saxophone), Chip McNeill (keyboard), Andrew Binder (bass), Nikola Djokic (drums).
Music of China
►Faith United Methodist Church // free // 7 p.m.
The Jasmine Field Orchestra will be performing traditional Chinese music on traditional Chinese instruments. This is a great learning opportunity and a chance to hear some beautiful music.
U of I Jazz Guitar Ensemble
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 7:30 p.m.
Jazz guitar students from the U of I will perform, lead by Larry Gray. Come show your support for the school of music!
WEDNESDAY, November 17th
Jesus Fuentes Quartet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Jazz pianist Jesus Fuentes leads his quartet through some original tunes for a night of exciting jazz music. The quartet is Jesus Fuentes on piano, Matt Storie on sax, Andrew Binder on bass, and Maxwell Osawa on drums.
Mid-October
►Clark Bar // free // 6:30 p.m.
Alternative and indie rock duo Mid-October hits the Clark Bar with some orginal tunes as well as some covers.
Image from Teenage Bottlerocket’s Facebook page.
Teenage Bottlerocket, The Last Gang, Tightwire
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $18 // 9 p.m.
Formed in 2000, Teenage Bottlerocket has been bringing their style of pop punk and punk rock for over two decades and they are still going strong. This will be an absolutely wild night, but loads of fun.
THURSDAY, November 18th
Moonside Pilots
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 9:30 p.m.
This U of I based band has been around since 2007, with new members in and out over the years. They’ll be bring a wide range of music, with originals as well as indie rock, classic rock, R&B, hip-hop, you name it.
FRIDAY, November 19th
Jeff Helgesen Quintet
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 5 p.m.
Local trumpet guru Jeff Helgesen performs at the Rose Bowl with his stellar quintet, bringing you hard bop of the 1960s.
Simply This Quintet
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 5 p.m.
Simply This has recently released their album Step Up. The group is Matthew Storie and Reginald Lewis (tenor sax), Emma Taylor (bass), Jesus Fuentes (piano), and Frank Kurtz (drums).
Kilborn Alley Blues
►Clark Bar // free // 6 p.m.
Hitting you with some tasty licks and southern fried soul, you’re always in for a great time with Kilborne Alley.
Blues Deacons
►Huber’s // free // 7 p.m.
The blues outfit from Gibson City are rocking Huber’s on Friday. Playing originals as well as blues classics, come by and “let the blues ease on into your soul.”
The Dirty Feathers, Merry Travelers, Sweetmelk
►Rose Bowl Tavern // $10 // 8:30 p.m.
I mean come on, a great lineup here of folk, indie, rock, funk, and soul with three local favorites. What can be said about these three acts that hasn’t already been said? Just show up, it will be worth it, trust me.
SATURDAY, November 20th
Avant Guardians
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.
Some avant-garde jazz for you on a Saturday afternoon at Rose Bowl. What is avant-garde jazz, you ask? Head to the show to find out.
Image from NOLA’s Facebook event page.
Aaron Kamm & The One Drops
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // $10 adv, $12 doors // 8 p.m.
From St. Louis comes Aaron Kamm & The One Drops, blending blues, soul, reggae, funk, and roots. This group is one to catch, with their high energy and soulful performances.
DJ Belly
►NOLA’s Rock Bar // free // 10 p.m.
Looking for some late night Saturday fun? DJ Belly has you covered, spinning beats at NOLA’s through the evening, so come out and bring your best dance moves — it’s going to be a party.
SUNDAY, November 21st
Suzanne, John and The Limping Cowboy Band
►Rose Bowl Tavern // tips encouraged // 1 p.m.
This group brings originals and covers of country, folk, and cowboy music.
Image by Della Perrone Photography, borrowed from Katie Flynn’s Facebook page.
Katie Flynn
►Rose Bowl Tavern // free // 4 p.m.
The jazz and cabaret singer Katie Flynn will bring her mesmerizing voice to Rose Bowl once again, accompanied by Kurt Reeder on piano.
Dropsy Trio
►Rose Bowl Tavern // tips encouraged // 7 p.m.
James Mauck on drums, Mitchell Killough on bass, Mark White on guitar. These guys bring blues, funk, jazz, soul, rock, and more with covers and originals.
Top photo from Teenage Bottlerocket’s Facebook page.
