Carnival of Soul

If you are struggling, I wish you comfort and the ability to talk to others about it. I wish you foresight in the coming “hindsight year.” (2020!) I want to thank you for reading this column and hopefully enjoying it as much as I enjoy writing it. Happy 2020!

Lori Lewis — better known to blues fans as Low-Reen — has been coming up from Chicago for some time now and will be returning to the Union Park Tavern Saturday night with a friend from way down south. Texas Blues man Graham Warwick will join the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee for a “Chicago/Texas Hill Country Blues Throwdown!”

Warwick plays authentic blues music throughout the Texas Hill Country, both solo and with the Sensational Bonafide Blues Band. The focus is on time-tested standards from the first half of the 20th century, with both popular standards including favorites “St. James Infirmary Blues” and “What a Wonderful World” and his own crowd pleasing originals. Joining Low-Reen are Jim Harpdog Hellen, Marie Martens and Stephen Bass. There is no cover charge.

Low-Reen and Graham Warwick join forces Saturday night (Dec. 28) at Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave.

Back in the 20th century, the 1920s were known as the Roaring ‘20s and swing jazz was THE Thing. Well, the ‘20s will be back in a week, and Captain Mike’s and Swing Fandango will be bringing the return of the roar on New Year’s Eve.

Roar in the New Decade with one of the area’s top swing jazz bands featuring many of the top players around: Jason Kent on guitar/vocals, Dwaine Majkrzak playing guitar, Greg Redfeairn on the upright bass, Frank Youngwerth on trumpet/vocals and Michael Dean Warren on the washboard and banjo. Great thought was put into this event. Bring comfortable shoes so you can dance the night away.

Swing Fandango performs Tuesday night (Dec. 31) at Captain Mike’s, 5118 Sixth Ave.

I know many folks look to New Year’s Eve as a time to have a dinner show with lots of entertainment. You can get that Tuesday night at the Wyndham Garden Kenosha Harborside Hotel. The evening will combine comedy, magic, music and a meal. There are a couple of packages. The basic $29 deal includes four comedians, headlined by Chris Barnes, with magic by Shandini and music by Boys and Toys and Mighty Joe. You also get hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. The comedy shows are at 8 or 9:45 p.m. (you pick one). The $99 VIP ticket includes a prime rib dinner and a two-hour open bar. Need a room? Call the Wyndham Garden Hotel at 262-658-3281 and show them proof of purchase to the event and receive a discounted rate. The link for tickets and set times is https://m.bpt.me/event/4455005 at brown paper tickets.

New Year’s Eve Comedy, Magic and Music starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 31) at the Wyndham Garden, 5125 Sixth Ave.

Would you like a little jam with your midnight toast? How about a LOT of Jam music leading up to your midnight Champagne toast? Two of the more popular area jam bands will be performing Tuesday night at the Kenosha Yacht Club, starting at 9 p.m. Earthmother is what you expect, or more accurately hope for, from a jam rock band. Mountains on the Moon is more of a psychedelic funk rock band that can jam. Both are fun. Champs toast at midnight.

Earthmother and Mountains on the Moon perform starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 31) at the Kenosha Yacht Club, 5130 Fourth Ave.

There are musicians who have a regular gig at a place — and then there’s Dave Braun. The traditional jazz guitarist is starting his 26th year of performing weekly at the Hob Nob on Sheridan Road. You have to be pretty good to be invited back that many times. He and his combo will be back there this Friday night. If your Friday is already booked, you can also hear Braun New Year’s Eve at the Hob Nob.

The Dave Braun Trio performs every Friday night (plus New Year’s Eve) at the Hob Nob, 277 Sheridan Road.

That’s it for this week. Bands, artists and venues, please send me your gig listings, event posts, bios, Facebook event invites or anything else you think might be useful to me to write you up. If I don’t know about it, I won’t write it up. Thanks for keeping music live. Concert-goers, please make sure to double check with the band or venue. Things can change.