Low-reen’s Live Blues List #35
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012Low-reen’s Live Blues List
Blues Jams Chicago to Milwaukee…and then some
Issue #35
March 2012
in memory of Dirty Otis
…join a Band, not a Gang…
Join the Mailing List / Updates / Corrections / List your Jam: send to LowreensLiveBlues@gmail.com
Jam Pictures now on NEW Facebook page: search on FB for Low-reen’s Live Blues page, “like” the page to stay connected for quick updates
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Clubs Off the Beaten Path
Now, didn’t you just think that there must be more to the Chicago blues scene than what you see in the Reader or in some of the guidebooks? Well ME TOO! So I started blues traveling in my own city! Here are some Chicagoland spots to check out. Some are not in the safest neighborhoods, so don’t be stupid about it. Be friendly & respectful, don’t have too much to drink, and park on the main street. Some have parking security. These clubs do a great job to create a safe atmosphere inside but be careful coming & going. Oh, and have fun!
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Big O’s, 52nd & Halsted, Chicago, 1st Friday Tony Brown, EJ, & Louis Bryant; 2nd Friday Tommy Landis & Sexy Jamie (being remodeled: call for schedule)
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Carolyn’s Zodiac Lounge, 1744 N Central, Chicago (773) 804-9664, Fridays Super Percy & His Soul Clique
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For the Good Times Lounge, 5545 S Damen, Chicago (773) 737-0184, Saturday music, Sundays Killer Ray & the Bottom Dollar Band, 9.pm
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Gene’s Playmate Lounge, 4239 W Cermak, Chicago (773) 590-9127, Sundays 9pm Willie White & friends
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Hot City Lounge, 7432 S Racine, Chicago (773) 224-9583, Mondays 9pm Killer Ray jam, Thursdays 9:30pm JoJo Murray, Sundays 6pm Total Package with Chuck Finley
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New ImLa Cocktail Lounge, 1116 W 51st St, Chicago (773) 285-0285, Wednesdays 8pm Grown Man & the Mississippi Raiders Band, $3 cover
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Keynote Lounge, 1116 W 63rd St, Chicago 1st & 3rd Sundays 7:30pm Smilin’ Bobby, other Sundays Super Percy, also music on Wednesdays
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Odyssey East (the old Rocking Horse), 9942 Torrence Ave, Chicago, Fridays 9pm-1 and Sundays 7-11pm JoJo Murray
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Rooster’s Palace, Madison & Kilborne, Chicago (773) 678-0739, Fridays & Saturdays West Side Wes, sometimes Tail Dragger
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Spectrum Bar & Grill, 233 S Halsted, Chicago (312) 715-0770
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Toby’s Tavern, 1949 Greenbay Rd, North Chicago, IL (847) 689-4742, Saturdays usual $10 cover
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The Toolbox, California & Arlington, Chicago. Sometimes Tail Dragger, Grown Man
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Vaughn’s, 6633 S Ashland Ave, Chicago (773) 931-9080
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The Water Hole, 1400 S Western, Chicago (312) 243-7988, Wednesdays jazz 8-1130pm with Isaiah Spencer $8, Thursdays rock blues with Miles Manor no cover. Fridays blues 9pm-1am
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Other Chicagoland blues clubs you may already know about: Artis’s, Blue Chicago, B.L.U.E.S., Buddy Guy’s Legends, Checkerboard, Chord on Blues, Harlem Ave Lounge, House of Blues, Kingston Mines, Lee’s Unleaded, Nick’s, Rosa’s, Smoke Daddy, Walnut Speakeasy
Special Events & News
—–”It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses” -Elwood Blues
- Two nice articles on our friend Little Scotty who passed away in February: http://www.austinweeklynews.com/main.aspsectionID=3&SubSectionID=3&ArticleID=3599 ; http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-little-scotty-obit-20120217,0,4124244.story
- February 18-August 19, The Blues: From the Heart & Soul, exhibit of private collection of Barrelhouse Chuck Goering, Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N Forest Preserve Rd, Wauconda, IL (847) 968-3400, www.lcfpd.org $6. Opening reception, and performance by Barrelhouse Chuck May 3
- March 2, Harmonica Blow-out with JimLiban, Steve Cohen, Matthew Skoller, & Benny Rickun, Shank Hall, 1434 N Farwell, Milwaukee, WI (414) 276-7288, 8pm, $10
- March 14-18, SxSW (South by Southwest Music Conference), Austin TX. 3000 bands in 5 days!
- March 18, St Baldrick’s Children’s Cancer Fundraising Event with Tallan Noble Latz, Sundance Saloon, 300 Lakehurst Rd, Waukegan, IL (847) 887-0858 www.newsundance.com Noon-6pm, $10 includes lunch, bands, etc
- March 24 & 25, Ice Meltin’ Blues Fest, Long Grove, IL. Various bands, showtimes, venues in this small town down town. Free. March 24 Donna Herula & Liz Mandeville, Blue Road Band, Jimmy Liggett; March 25 Smiling Bobby & the Downhome Blues Bag, Jimmy Liggett http://www.visitlonggrove.com/blues.html
- April 14 & 15, Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards Show, Fox Cities Performing Art Center, 400 W College Ave, Appleton, WI. Tickets http://www.foxcitiespac.com/events/wami-award-show
- April 29 & each Sunday leading up to Chicago Bluesfest Sunday Blues at Old Town School of Folk Music curated by Barry Dolins. 4/29 Billy Branch; 5/6 Fruteland Jackson, 5/13 Demetria Taylor, 5/20 Sharon Lewis, 5/27 Theo Huff, and 6/3? Rev. KM Williams www.OldTownSchool.org
- April 29, Women in Business Helping Women in Crisis benefit, with Women of the Blues, featuring Joan Gand, Peaches Staten, Liz Mandeville, more. Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Linclonshire, IL www.emergencyfund.org or www.chicagoblueswomen.com, 3-7pm
- May 18 & 19, Blues and the Spirit Symposium: Race, Gender, & the Blues, Dominican University, River Forest, IL (708) 524- 6050 www.dom.edu/blues
- May 25, Allens Grove Blues Festival/Open Jam to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, picnic shelter at Allens Grove Park, Hwy X between Darien & Clinton, Allens Grove, WI mmoore@sharontelephone.com or (262) 882-3373, free, raffle & food for sale or bring your own food, BYOB, 7pm. Year before last we had the guitar army there, 15 players at once!!!
- Blues Week at Navy Pier, coordinated by Barry Dolins. 6/2 Demetria Taylor; 6/3 Lurrie Bell; 6/6 Reverend KM Williams; and 6/7 Deitra Farr. Chicago, IL
- August 3-5, McHenry Rotary Blues, Brews, & BBQ, Peterson Park, McHenry, IL http://www.mchenryrotarybluesbrewsandbbqs.com/ 8/3 Howard & the White Boys; 8/4 Frank Bang & the Secret Stash ; 8/5 Bruce Williams Band, Geneva Red & the Roadsters, Roughhouse Blues Band, other non-blues acts
- Musicians: Windy City Blues Society stage will be giving out promo CDSs during the Chicago Blues Fest. This may be a way to get yours into the right hands! Donate whatever you desire, a handful or a box. Send an email to WindyCityBluesSociety@gmail.com
- Chicago Musicians: Windy City Blues Society’s Chicago Blues Challenge starts this year at the Chicago Blues Fest! Go to www.WindyCityBlues.org for details
- Chicago Musicians: get listed on Windy City Blues Society website www.WindyCityBlues.org
- Kenosha Musicians: want to influence the local music scene? Join Musicians Advancing and Assisting Musicians on Facebook
- Kenosha Musicians: Join Musicians of Kenosha Directory on Facebook
- Milwaukee Musicians: want to get heard on WMSE FM 91.7? Drop off your CD or album at 820 N Milwaukee or MSOE Krueger Hall 9am-6pm. OR mail it to WMSE, 1025 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202 attn: Music Director. Tune in weekdays 3-6pm for the Blues Drive. www.msoe.org
- Chicago Blues Tour: a good way to go if you want to go with a group and don’t want to drive. Shuttle van between several venues, cover charges included as well as a couple drinks, poster, & CD. www.ChicagoBluesTour.com
- Cheat You Fair, a documentary about old Maxwell Street, now available for purchase at Amazon.
- Maxwell St links, courtesy of Professor Steve Balkin http://sites.roosevelt.edu/sbalkin/maxwell-street-webpage/
- Kickstarter projects: you can get in on the ground floor and financially back blues projects for as little as a buck! **Eddie Shaw and Jackie Scott – New Album Project – End date 3/31/12 – Goal $2750
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eddieshaw/blues-in-the-757 **We Be Kings Movie featuring Magic Slim as I Be King, Grana Louise as Lilly, Bianca Ryan as Layla, Quinn Sullivan as Dustin, Pryce Watkins as Sam, Cee Cee James as Ellen and featuring the TEARDROPS, Magic Slim’s band…
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/647017682/we-be-kings-movie-project
Project end date 3/16/12 Goal $7,500 - Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research, focused on the needs of musicians with bipolar disorder. www.SeanCostelloFund.org
- Health, life, & dental insurance group plans for music industry professionals available through the Blues Foundation. For more info: www.Blues.org or www.SoundHealthcare.org or call 615-256-8667
Blues Jams (call ahead, they change frequently!)
Sundays
—–”Let dat boy boogie woogie! It’s in ‘im, and it got to come out!” - John Lee Hooker
-The Alley, 210 Greenbay Rd (at Hwy 22) Highwood, IL (847) 433-0304 www.BowlHighwood.com hosts Mark Blank & B’Ro, 7-10pm
-The Blue Pig (formerly Vnucks), 5036 S Packard, Cudahy, WI (414) 481-3885, host Dave Miller, 4:30-8:30pm (open jam)
-Breakwater Bar & Grill at Kenosha Yacht Club, 5130 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI (262) 652-2320, host Chris Sipos, 4-8pm (open mic)
-C&J’s Crossroads, N6444 US Hwy 12, Elkhorn, WI (262) 742-3417, host Glen Davis, 2-5pm
-Hawg Heaven, 10306 Antioch Rd, Salem, WI (262) 862-7777, host Mark Rogers, 6pm?
-High Spirits, 12417 Antioch Rd (Rt 83), Trevor, WI (262) 862-9886, host Mark Rijke, 3-7pm (every other Sun- open electric jam)
-Irish Mill, 26592 N Rt 83, Mundelein, IL (847) 566-7044, 830pm, host Paddy Teglia (open mic)
-Kegler’s Pub 905 Theodore St (Rt 7 between Rt 30 & Rt 53), Crest Hill, IL (815) 722-1089, host T-Bird Huck, 9pm
-Kingston Mines, 2548 N Halsted, Chicago, IL (773) 477-4646, www.KingstonMines.com, host Linsey Alexander 6-9pm
-Lamplighter Inn Tavern & Grille, 60 N Bothwell St, Paletine, IL (847) 991-2420, www.lamplighters.com, 8pm (1st Sun)
-Leroy’s Hot Stuff, 333 W Hwy 20, Porter, IN (219) 926-6211, 8pm-12am+
-Live 59, 16108 Rt 59, Plainfield, IL, host Big Dog Mercer, 5-9pm
-Polk Street Pub, 548 W Polk St (2 blks E of 94, 1 blk N of Taylor), Chicago, IL (224) 440-2173, www.PolkStPub.com, host yours truly Low-reen & the Maxwell St Market Blues Band featuring Bobby Too Tuff, no cover, 2 drink minimum, $2 cans, 25c wings, free parking at Porter Pipe at Jefferson & Polk, under 21 OK with guardian. 4:30-8:30pm. Low-reen: 224-440-2173
-Silver Lake Marina, 28836 Silver Lake Rd (hwy F east of B), Salem, WI (262) 889-8465, www.SLMwi.com, host Loose Shoes, 8pm
-Treats Tavern, 2221 N Humboldt Blvd, Milwaukee, WI (414) 265-7054, host Harvey Westmoreland, 8pm
-Wicker Well, 1637 W North Ave, Chicago, IL (773) 276-8477
-Woodlawn Tap, 1172 E 55th St, Chicago, IL (773) 643-5516, hosts Dave Waldman, Willie Phillips, Justin O’Brien, Scott Dirks, 4-8pm
Mondays
—–”A bad rendition of you is better than a good rendition of somebody else.” - Willie Dixon
-Artis’s Lounge (yep, that’s how they spell it!), 1249 E 87th St (773) 734-0491, pro jam, host Billy Branch, 10pm
-BooCoo, 1823 Church St, Evanston, IL (847) 864-8164, 7pm (last Monday)
-Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S Wabash, Chicago, IL (312) 427-1190, www.BuddyGuys.com, host Jimmy Burns alternating with Brother John, 9:30pm, $10 cover (free for jammers, $5 for jammer’s guests)
-Hot City Lounge, 7432 S Racine, (773) 224-9583, host Killer Ray Allison, 9pm
-Sara’s Pub, 1567 Madison, Beloit, WI (608) 207-3139, host Dave Potter
-TG’s, 4120 7th Ave, Kenosha, WI, (262) 658-8080, www.TGsKenosha.com, host Sipos & Young, 6-10pm (open mic), all ages
-Touch of the Past, 947 Mannheim Rd, Bellwood, IL (708) 493-9236, host Cicero Blake, 9pm
-Up & Under Pub, 1216 E Brady, Milwaukee, WI (414) 276-2677, host Misha Siegfried, 9pm
-VFW, 1015 Center Ave, Janesville, WI (608) 754-4342 6:30-10pm except 2nd Monday (also check out 2nd Sunday 12-4pm concertina jam!)
Tuesdays
—–”I stone got crazy when I saw somebody run down them strings with a bottleneck. My eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and I said that I had to learn” – Muddy Waters
-Abbey Pub, 3420 W Grace, Chicago, IL (773) 478-4408, host Madman, 8pm-12
-Bay Billiards, 107 Towne Center Lane, Fox Lake, IL (847) 629-5492, host Brian Rand, 8pm
-Crossroads, 396 W Irving Park Rd, Wood Dale, IL, host Uptown Groove, 8pm (1st & 3rd Tues)
-Firehouse Pub, 18517 W Gages Lake Rd, Gages Lake, IL (847) 778-0780, host AC Blues / Marie Martens, 8:30pm-12:30
-Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N Oakley, Chicago, IL (773) 489-5471, www.GalleryCabaret.com, host Fish & the Blue Fins, 9pm
-Harlem Ave Lounge, 3701 S Harlem Ave, Berwyn, IL (708) 484-3610, www.HarlemAvenueLounge.com, host Tom Crivellone, (4th Tuesday)
-Keith’s, 6th Street, Racine, WI, 9pm (no other info avail)
-Mamie’s, 3300 W National, Milwaukee, WI (414) 543-1673, www.Mamies.net, host Carol Hanzel & Craig alternating with Kenny J & Stokes, 8pm-12
-Neighbor’s Social Club, 260 W Main St, Waukesha, WI, (262) 549-3910, host Robert Allen Jr Trio, 7:30-11pm
-Nite Cap Lounge, 5007 Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL (773) 282-8654, 930pm-1230am
-Saloon on Calhoun, 17000 W Capitol Drive #1, Brookfield, WI (262) 783-0222, host Rick Holmes, 9pm (open mic)
-DONE IN MARCH Sky Box Sports Bar, 3601 W Harrison, Chicago, IL (872) 600-3228, hosted by Lil’ Harvey & Mack, 8pm-12am
-The Vibe, 1935 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL (847) 780-4815, host Ari Mintz & Phil Palumbo, 730-1030pm
Wednesdays
—– “Music is so naturally united with us that we cannot be free from it even if we so desired” -Boethius
-1146 Lounge, 1146 Sheridan, Kenosha, WI (262) 552-0830, host Phil James, 10pm-1:30
-Astor Hotel, 924 E Juneau, Milwaukee, WI (414) 271-4220, host Dave Miller w/ Rick Holmes, Andrew Wilson, 6-930pm
-B & B Riverfront Club, 724 Railroad St, Joliet, IL (815) 744-9511, host Big Dog Mercer, 7-11pm
-B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted, 2519 N Halsted, Chicago, IL (773) 528-1012, www.ChicagoBluesBar.com, host Big Ray & Chicago’s Most Wanted alternating w/ Pistol Pete, 9:30pm-1:30 (1st & 3rd Wed)
-Blue Bayou Bar & Grill, 3734 N Southport, Chicago, IL (773) 871-3300, host Pete Galanis, 9:30pm-1:30am
-Bottoms Up, 1696 Thornton-Lansing Rd, Lansing, IL (708) 418-3877, www.bottomsuponline.com, host Chicago Bob, 8pm-12am
-Caroline’s Jazz Club, 401 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI (414) 221-9444, host Big O & the Night Owls Showband Big Blues Jam, 8pm-12
-Chopper’s Bar and Grill, 26375 Rt 173, Antioch, IL (847) 838-1230, open jam, 9pm
-Chord on Blues, 106 S 1st Ave, St Charles, IL (630) 513-0074, www.chordonblues.com, host Mike Hoge & Chicago Blue Dads, open jam, 8:30-11:30pm
-Chuck’s BBQ, 79th & Narraganset, Burbank, IL, host Rockin’ Johnny Band, 8-11:30pm, every 1st Wed
-Conway’s Smokin’ Bar & Grill, 2127 W Wells, Milwaukee, WI (414) 344-1262, host Big Johnson & the Thrusters, 9pm-12
-Moved to Wed starting in March, ***now weekly starting April 4***: Flanagan’s, 3201 Buckley Rd (at Rt 41), North Chicago, IL (847) 689-9062 www.FlanagansSportsBar.com, host yours truly Low-reen & the Maxwell St Market Blues Band, 8-11:30pm, everybody plays! $5 cover for non-jammers
-Harry’s Cafe & Place, 808 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI (262) 248-3494, host Glenn Davis & the Cruise Control Blues Band, 8:45pm-12
-Hilltop Bar, 25944 W Rollins Rd (E of Wilson), Ingleside, IL (847) 973-0144, host Mark Rijke, 730pm, (open mic, every other Wed)
-House of Blues Back Porch Stage, 329 N Dearborn, Chicago, IL (312) 923-2000, various hosts, 10pm, pro jam, $10 but free if dine in prior to show
-Island Tap, 112 E Cook (behind Morgan’s on Milwaukee Ave), Libertyville, IL, host Matt, 7-9:30pm (open electric?)
-Lamplighter’s, 60 N Bothwell St, Paletine, IL (847) 991-2420, www.lamplighters.com, host Rick, 8pm-12:30 (open jam)
-Liquid Blues, 126 N Benton St, Woodstock, IL (815) 337-7254, www.LiquidBluesBar.com, 7pm-1
-Mecca Supper Club, 6666 N Northwest Hwy, Edison Park, IL (773) 775-1077, www.MeccaSupperClub.com , 9pm-1am, various hosts (open mic)
-Milwaukee’s Firehouse Pub, 2758 S 35th St, Milwaukee, WI (414) 383-5300, various hosts
-Montrose Saloon, 2933 W Montrose, Chicago, IL (773) 463-7663, host John Liggitt, 8:30pm (3rd Wed- also check out bluegrass jam 2nd Wed!)
-New York Slices, 1843 2nd St, Highland Park, IL (847) 432-6979, all ages, 7-10pm
–Walnut Speakeasy, 214 Walnut Ave, Elgin, IL (847) 695-2420, www.theWalnutSpeakeasy.com (every other Wed)
-West Side Tap, 1356 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL (815) 741-4318, OsBand jam session, 8pm
Thursdays
—–“When you touch someone with music, they may not remember the song but they will remember the joy” -from the wall at Sharon & Michael’s
-America’s Historic Roundhouse, 205 N Broadway, Aurora, IL (630) 892-0034, www.WalterPaytonsRoundHouse.com, open jam, 7pm
-Cali’s Grille Room & Lounge in the Midway Hotel, 1005 S Moorland,Road, Brookfield, WI (262) 786-9540, 8pm (open jam)
-Cool River Draught House, 12622- 159th St, Homer Glen, IL (708) 301-8006, www.CoolRiv.com, host Twist & the Groove Machine, 8:30pm-12:30
-Dee’s Place Chicago Soul Food, 2114 W Division, Chicago, IL (312) 348-6117 www.deesplacechicago.com , 7:30-10pm (open mic)
-Domenico’s Italian Restaurant, 547 E Grand Ave, Beloit, WI (608) 365-9489 www.domenicos.us/ , host Glen Davis, 6:30-10:30pm
-Envy’s Pub, 3625 W 159th St (just E of I-57), Markham, IL (708) 331-5860, hosted by Little Johnny, 8-11pm
-Golf Farm, 2100 N Route 12, Wauconda, IL (847) 526-4000, www.Golf-Farm.com, host Brian Rothermel, 8:30pm
-Green Town Tavern, 110 S Genesee, Waukegan, IL (847) 244-1001, www.GreenTownTavern.com, host Chris Sipos, 8pm-12:15 (open mic)
-Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S Harlem, Berwyn, IL (708) 484-3610, www.HarlemAvenueLounge.com, alternating hosts, 8:30pm-12:30
-Harry’s Sports Bar, 9901 W 55th, Countryside, IL. Host Twist & the Groove Machine, 8pm-12
-Henry & Wanda’s, 501 6th St, Racine, WI (262) 632-1772, www.HenryandWandas.com, host Roy Edwards, 8pm-12am
-Irish Mill, 26592 N Rt 83, Mundelein, IL (847) 566-7044, 830pm (open mic)
-Lincoln Square Lanes, 4874 N Lincoln, Chicago, IL (773) 561-8191, hosted by Madman, 9pm-1, musicians get a free cocktail when they jam!
-Rosa’s Lounge, 3420 W Armitage, Chicago, IL (773) 342-0452, www.RosasLounge.com, host James Wheeler, 9:30pm-1:30
-Spirits, 922 Milwaukee Ave, South Milwaukee, WI (414) 762-2005, hosted by Marshall Holm, Dave Miller, 8pm
-TC Pub, 9700 S Cicero, Oak Lawn, IL (708) 425-4252, www.facebook.com/pages/T-C-Pub/ host Rev T & the Bluez Factor Revival, $1 drafts, free hot dogs
-Toby’s Tavern, 1949 Greenbay Rd, North Chicago, IL (847) 689-4742, host Rainman & Real Deal, 8:30-11pm, 1st Thursday (guitar bring your own amp)
Fridays
-Bay Billiards, 107 Towne Center Lane, Fox Lake, IL (847) 587-8888, host Carter, www.BayBilliardsSportsBar.com (open jam)
-Dwight House Pub, 35366 N Frontage Rd (off Rt 12), Fox Lake, IL (847) 973-1476, host John Linczmaier & Red Eye Express, 9:30pm-12:30 (every other Fri, open electric jam)
-Hap’s North End Tap, 83 Hankes Ave, Aurora, IL (630) 859-2945, 9pm
-Hollywood Lounge, 3303 W Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL (773) 588-9707, www.TheHollywoodLive.com, host Big John Sanner w/ Willie T & the Blues Explosion, 9pm-2
-J Martins Tap, 81 E 34th St, Steger, IL (708) 755-5240, host Bob E Lee, 9pm-1
Saturdays
-Abel’s Restaurant, 125 Center St, Grayslake, IL (847) 548-2803, host King Robinson, 8pm (last Sat)
-Gene’s Supper Club, 4323 N 60th St, Milwaukee, WI (414) 535-7789, host Marvelous Mack & the Pressure Release Blues Band, 3:30pm
-R&R Crossing, Russell, IL, host Midnight Rider Band, 3-7pm (monthly- next 3/24)
-Uptown Tavern, 12 W Burlington Ave, Westmont, IL (630) 969-4717 www.theuptownonline.com, hosted by Mojo Mark, 8pm-1 (next 3/10 with special guest Jimmy Burns)
Out of the Area Jams: check with local blues societies!
