As Pygmalion looms on the horizon next week, let’s not forget yet about things that are happening this weekend. While the temptation to stay at home to gear up for the festival may be strong, you must fight it. There is much to see.
On the slate for tonight: Zoso, a really excellent Led Zeppelin tribute act that has graced the Canopy Club stage many times will return once more to offer you the songs of Zep (or the songs that Zep stole, depending on who you talk to) for a mere $8 — a bit cheaper than the cost involved in seeing the one Zep reunion show that we’ll apparently ever see. Plus, as I recall, Zoso plays the songs in their original keys, which is a nice bonus. 9 p.m.
If you’re in the mood for singing a Led Zeppelin song instead of listening to someone else sing one, head to the Highdive tonight to catch Live Karaoke Band. You pick a song from the provided list and then sing it with a real band! 10 p.m., $5.
Friday brings another Urban Outfitters show, this time featuring go-getters World’s First Flying Machine. The show is free and begins at 6 p.m., meaning it will end just in time for you to get yourself to the Canopy Club in order to catch Colourmusic, playing with Inept and Swizzle Tree (9 p.m., $7). Downtown options include a free Micah Walk Band show at Cowboy Monkey (10:30 p.m.) and a Mike ‘n Molly’s show featuring Brandon T. Washington opening for the excellent Miché Fambro (check out MySpace.com/michefambro) (9 p.m., TBA cover).
For those that caught last fall’s Andrew Bird show at Krannert, you should remember the quirky opening set (and later backing of Bird) from Dianogah. The band will play the Highdive early (7:30 p.m.) on Saturday with opener Pinebender. Later in the evening, the Mike ‘n Molly’s beer garden (hopefully) will play host to Columbia, MO, troubadour Casey Reeves (formerly of Caulfield and the Magic) who will be flanked by locals Carl Hauck and Nick Brown (9 p.m., $3).
A new improv comedy troupe has taken up residence at Mike ‘n Molly’s on Monday nights. Beginning at 9 p.m. every week you can catch the Abe Froman Project performing improv sketches, music, and other random things. This show is free, unless you count the cost of having to watch poor Nate Jones limp around with a cane. Hopefully that won’t be the case this week!
And now for “local record store informational section of information, installment two.” This week we’ll take a peek at downtown gem, Old Main Bookshoppe at 116 N. Walnut in Champaign (next to the new cupcake shop), great especially if you’re looking for vinyl. This place will easily take the prize for the worst browsing experience, with cramped quarters and bookshelf-style display, but the payoff can be great with the gems in stock. Pricing can get a little ridiculous with things more collectible, but in general you can find some items priced to move. The shop cats are in charge, though, so appeal to them if you can’t afford that Beatles 45 (or avoid them if you’re allergy prone).
Old Main is also a great place to check if you’re looking for a record player or receiver. Steve, the owner, can set you up with most anything you’d need to get yourself listening to glorious, glorious analog. Some CDs, DVDs, and even VHS tapes and cassettes can be found scattered about the space, but vinyl (and books, of course) is the reason to stop here. Old Main is also a great place to check if you’re looking for a record player or receiver. Steve, the owner, can set you up with most anything you’d need to get yourself listening to glorious, glorious analog. Some CDs, DVDs, and even VHS tapes and cassettes can be found scattered about the space, but vinyl (and books, of course) is the reason to stop here.
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