For having a word like “Illini” in its title, the Illini 4000 seems to be disappointingly unknown around town. The group, through various activities, is dedicated to helping raise funds for cancer-related causes. One such cause is Camp Kesem, which runs summer camps for the children of parents affected by cancer. The Illini 4000 funds the UIUC version of this program. Likely the highest profile part of the group’s campaign is the Illini 4000 Bike America Team which sends a team of bicyclers across the country over the summer, charged with raising awareness and interview cancer patients and survivors. The group’s website, http://illini4000.org, has much more information about how to get involved. On Friday evening, the Canopy Club will host a benefit for the organization featuring several strong local bands. The $10 entrance fee will not only go to a great cause, but will also get you in to see World’s First Flying Machine, Roses and Sake, Organic Flow, and No Comment. The show starts at 6:30 p.m., and will be followed by a late show from The Funky Monks, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band. Well, at least they have a cool name.
For gyro fans in the area, Zorba’s is known to be the place to make a pilgrimage for tzatziki and crinkle-cut fries. For the seasoned CU jazz fan, Zorba’s is a place with a storied past and an ongoing tradition of hosting great jazz bands every Thursday night. A quick trip to http://myspace.com/zorbas73 reveals upcoming sets from the Holly Holmes Group and Craig Russo. Tonight you can catch Ear Doctor — longtime CU jazz favorite known for excellent musicianship. It will only cost you three bucks to get in, and if you get there a little earlier than the 9:30 p.m. start time, you can still nab a gyro (a reduced menu will be available late-night).
It’s officially cold weather time, which means that shows at Mike ‘n Molly’s have moved to the upstairs room, which to some people is a blessing. The room might be tiny and you might have to scale quite a staircase to reach it, but for many, it has been the site of some favorite shows. It’s intimate, the sound is great, and there are even some comfy chairs in the back if you get there early enough to snag one. Tonight you can investigate all of these things for yourself as Murph brings you the sounds of newer local band Withershins, Deconstructing Jim, and Milwaukee agro-rock band Fulbright Scholar. If you’re in the mood for moody rock at raucous volumes, plink down your 5 bucks and enter by the 10 p.m. start time.
On Friday night, Brian Phelps (the BEST Charlie-Brown-under-a-spotted-sheet-for-Halloween that I’ve ever seen) and his indie-pop outfit, Lucky Mulholland, will play the Iron Post along with the expert songwriting of Dan Hubbard and the Humadors, the Bloomington, IL, outfit containing members of the Hubbards. The Humadors recently made their CU debut on WEFT Sessions and are ready to get things rolling, sandwiched between Lucky Mulholland and another local act, Backyard Shark. Look for things to kick off at 9 p.m., with a $5 cover charge.
Saturday evening is the right time for the Red Herring, where a “Coffeehouse Revival” show will commence at 8 p.m. Lined up to play for the very low $3 cover charge: New Ruins (with a very strong second album under their belts), Common Loon, Carl Hauck, and My Dear Alan Andrews. The last is listed as from Two Medicine, Montana, but the only shows listed are two local gigs, so something is awry. The songs on the MySpace page are pleasant, though, so check ‘em out.
So Long Forgotten, the nationally touring act from right in our neck of the woods, are poised to release a new EP, Baptism, at a show in Mahomet on Saturday. The Post Office (the venue in the old US Post Office in downtown Mahomet) is a frequent stop for the band, and will serve as the release spot with a show also featuring Mahomet’s Todd Reese, Cincinnati’s All the Day Holiday, Louisiana band As Cities Burn, and Decatur’s Greenwood. The bands are all part of a growing collective of national DIY bands touring together playing coffeehouses, community centers, churches, and other alternative venues. So Long Forgotten will use the show as a launching point for a short Midwest tour that will also include a set on WEFT Sessions (weft.org/sessions) on Monday, 11/17. The Post Office show will start at 7 p.m., is all-ages, and may have a small cover (the new EP is $5).
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