Hello everyone to the month of April and all the music therein. We missed making an April Fool’s Day issue by one day, so no fooling, we’re going to stick to the truth as we see it and report on the happenings going on this Easter weekend and beyond.
Oh boy, do I remember a Now Playing column from several years ago when Illinois Times did come out on the first of April so I was able to romp through tomfoolery such as announcing Recycled Records was moving to White Oaks Mall and other numbskull nonsense. Mark Kessler said he received many calls that day in disbelief. All I could do was be in disbelief that anyone thought it was anything but an April Fool’s prank. Now we have no Recycled Records and no Mark, but we do have a Dumb Records downtown and at the mall.
With a busy Easter weekend looming ahead, our calendar listings are down with only 20 shows Friday (30-some last week) and 27 on Saturday (50-plus last week) and clocking in at just four gigs for a possibly, not so Funday, on Sunday. With that in mind I’m thinking we can dig deep and give some love to the barrel full of midweek shows that don’t generally get attention. Lurking in the shadow of weekend excitement lies a world of open mics and karaoke nights plus individual shows, often at restaurants, that give you another whole avenue of entertainment possibilities.
We can surely start on Monday and where else to begin but those long-running Blue Mondays (over three decades) with the current location at The Alamo holding the record of dates by far. Here you can see local, regional and national blues acts up close and personal in a showcase atmosphere with good sound in a classic bar. This week it’s the Greg Glick Band, a known and respected group in central Illinois for over 25 years, with Jeff Williams (the other one) featured on keyboards.
Also, Al and Kathy Kitchen continue a great fun run at Fulgenzi’s, packing the place week after week, while Rockin’ Robin hosts karaoke at Mother Road Diner.
Tuesdays hit with the good feeling, well-attended JB (for John Brillhart) Open Jam at George Rank’s including a full band setup and varying hosts with Casey Cantrall on call this week. In addition, Allan Harris does it up right at Fulgenzi’s and Big Mo, an award-winning singer, songwriter and musician, plays at Grace Southern Baptist Church, while a slew of karaoke spots appear all around town. In a special one-off night, Pease’s at BUNN Gourmet presents an In the Round songwriter night with local, upcoming newcomer Grant Barnett joined by traveling troubadours Jay Gavin and Denver Venoit.
Moving on down the line, Wednesday kicks in hard with a weekly event at The Cidery near Obed & Isaac’s with Not Petty on tap this week and Harris Trio, featuring those real life, bro-brothers at Mother Road Diner, along with a fun karaoke singing time at Clique. Next, we have the long-running and ever-popular Open Mic with Joel Honey and Silas Tockey at Boone’s along with the newest open mic, the Midweek Music Meetup, at Harvest Market Farmhouse Brews with me as your host. Plus, the Butter Jams, presented by Elderbeard Musicwerx, takes place at Butternut Hut featuring a different host and lineup making for a “super group jam session” each week.
Thursday’s up now, but let’s keep that news for next week. I sure hope you enjoyed this “excursion” into the alternative entertainment part of the week and that you’ll visit some events. Here’s to a hoppy Easter and beyond.
This article appears in April 2-8, 2026.
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