Monday, April 23, 2018

Passed, Presents, Few Sure

Our hyper-connected NOW scoffs at distance. Think you can’t be bothered by business or other such nonsense while basking on an impossibly beautiful beach on the sun-drenched other side of the planet? Well, you haven’t been watching your TeeVee commercials. Yippee! Now we can “get away from it all” while having all of it right at our fingertips (thumb-tips for those adept manipulators of those too-smart-for-your-own-good phones).

Makes one wonder. What is the purpose of distance, if not to disassociate from the familiar and to immerse in the unfamiliar?

Such musings barely stirred during a recent trek to Texas. Not the other side of the world, but definitely not Wisconsin. The sunshine felt good, but ye olde reflecting pond of a brain pan barely rippled. A nagging cough upset every opportunity for serious recreational pursuits. And upon return, a trip to the doctor delivered a diagnosis of a not-to-be-taken-lightly ailment.

“Poop!,” said the patient. All that distance, wasted! Not to mention all that anticipation of playing with Big Wes Turner’s Trio at The BluRoom at Breezer’s Pub in Dubuque, Iowa, deflated. (Hard to play and sing when you can barely breath.) Yes, ill health drains away the depths of the ever urgent NOW. Damned bugs!

But that was then. This is now. And Saturday (see below) is soon. There’s your near future for you. Wrapped up in a beautiful bow of Wisconsin’s best brews. And then there’s May. Come what.

McMusical Calendar

Saturday, April 28
Big Wes Turner’s Trio plays blues and samples brews (“Best in Wisconsin,” says Big Wes) at Tyranena Brewing.
7 to 10 pm

Monday, May 7

The Sparks Band indulges in 60s nostalgia while kicking off the first of many Monday night car shows at Me&Julio down dere on Fish Hatchery Road in Fitchburg. 6 to 9 pm

Wednesday, May 9
The view of the Madison skyline is unmatched. The music from living legends of Madison’s Blues tradition, The Maintainers, is FREE.
Olin Park Pavilion.  6 to 8 pm

Friday, May 11
Can’t say enough about the beer, not to mention the atmosphere at Tyranena Brewing in Lake Mills. The Maintainers provide a deep catalog of the blues in all its permutations. 6 to 9 pm, weather permitting a patio performance, or 7 to 10 pm indoors.

Saturday, May 12
The Cashbox Kings hold court at the Hope and Anchor Pub in Loves Park, IL. 8 to midnight.

Friday, May 18
The Maintainers bring that big Blues thing to the Crossroads Coffehouse in Cross Plains. Early show.

Friday, May 25
The Sparks Band indulges the ever-present musical itch that is The 60s at The Hody Bar & Grill in Middleton. 9 to late.

Sunday, May 27The Birddog Blues Band rips it up down in New Glarus at Toffler’s Bar & Grill. 8 til late.

What about June? Check back!

P.S. Big Wes Turner’s Newsletter has added an amazing new option: POSTCARDS! Whaaaaa? Yeah, you heard right. Most well-informed Turnerites receive their sporadic action updates via email, but now they can alternately (or additionally) get a scrap of cheap cardboard with information scribbled thereupon...
FOR FREE!!! Just ask us.