Music

Concerts May 2-8: Vintage Blonde Chicago album release, Dweezil Zappa, Spyro Gyra and more

Posted April 29, 2025 10:26 am

By Luke Zurawski

Vintage Blonde Chicago will perform Sunday, May 4, at Schubas in Chicago to celebrate the release of their new album, “Afterlife.” Courtesy of Kim Swinton

Friday, May 2

Hey Day Happy Hour: 4-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Music by Brian Castillo on Friday and Kathryn Sherman on Saturday. Free. heynonny.com.

Graham Bonnet and Marco Mendoza: 7 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Rochaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. Bonnet has performed with Rainbow, Alcatrazz and Michael Schenker Group; Mendoza has performed with Whitesnake, Journey, Thin Lizzy and Ted Nugent. Tickets start at $22. rochaus.com.

Bad Nerves with Spiritual Cramp: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Fast distorted pop. $25. thaliahallchicago.com.

Dweezil Zappa will perform Friday, May 2, at the Des Plaines Theatre and Saturday, May 3, at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. AP, 2014

Dweezil Zappa: 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. The son of iconic musician Frank Zappa in his “Rox(postroph)y Tour.” $69-$129. desplainestheatre.com.

Leprous: 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Norwegian progressive metal band, with special guest Wheel. $39-$59. arcadalive.com.

Morgenshtern: 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Joe’s Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. “Alisher World Tour 2025.” Tickets start at $100. joesliverosemont.com.

Phil Cook: 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Folk. $20-$30. evanstonspacemusic.com.

Riovaz will celebrate his new self-titled album Friday, May 2, at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. Courtesy of Good Looks PR

Riovaz: 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Known for his cathartic, high-energy performances, Riovaz is touring to celebrate his new self-titled album. $25. lh-st.com.

Studio 64 Old School Dance Party: 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Dance party with a live DJ. Free. arcadalive.com.

Whatever, Nevermind: 9 p.m. Friday, May 2, at 3D Sideouts, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake. Nirvana tribute. Tickets start at $5. 3dsideouts.com.

Nightcap Music: 9:30-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Music by Pierce Crask on Friday and Brandon Reisdorf on Saturday. Free. heynonny.com.

Bourbon ‘N Brass Live Jazz: 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. An evening of jazz with the Bourbon ‘N Brass Trio featuring vocalist Laura Lopardo on Friday and Joey V Bootleg Band on Saturday. $10, two drink or equivalent minimum requested. desplainestheatre.com.

Matt Gold & Storms of Love: 10 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Instrumental interpretations of classic country and more. Free. evanstonspacemusic.com.

Saturday, May 3

Mr. Dave Music: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora. Family-friendly rock. $15-$25. themusicvenue.org.

Blackened: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Rochaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. Metallica tribute with City of Evil and Nitrous Foxide. Tickets start at $18. rochaus.com.

The Lennon Project: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. A 100-minute retrospective with Jay Goeppner and the Soundtracks of A Generation band showcasing the Beatles in the studio and Lennon’s later solo career. $49-$69; members get 30% off. Rauecenter.org.

The Pino Farina Band will perform Saturday, May 3, with special guests The Tall Boys at 3D Sideouts in Island Lake. Courtesy of Pino Farina

Pino Farina Band: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at 3D Sideouts, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake. With special guests The Tall Boys. Tickets start at $5. 3dsideouts.com.

Heartache Tonight: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Eagles tribute. $30-$40. woodstockil.gov/257/Opera-House.

Sons of Serendip: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1250 W. Wilson St., Batavia. The classical-crossover quartet performs ethereal interpretations of pop music, arranged with a blend of vocals, harp, piano and cello. $43-$56. bataviafineartscentre.org.

Trigger Gospel: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Classic country and rock ’n’ roll with a strong melodic-pop sound. $18-$35. heynonny.com.

The Arcadian Wild: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. A four-piece indie folk/pop group from Nashville. Tickets start at $29. northshorecenter.org.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their landmark self-titled debut album. $27-$40. thaliahallchicago.com.

Dweezil Zappa: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. The son of iconic musician Frank Zappa in his “Rox(postroph)y Tour.” $69-$109. arcadalive.com.

FLO’s “Access All Areas North American Tour 2025”: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. R&B. $32.50-$75. saltshedchicago.com.

George Michael Reborn: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Tribute to George Michael and Wham! $49-$89. desplainestheatre.com.

Kneebody: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Jazz funk. $25-$35. evanstonspacemusic.com.

Sueños Líquidos: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora. Tribute to Mana. $20. themusicvenue.org.

The Boy Band Night will pay tribute to the glory days of boy bands Saturday, May 3, at Joe’s Live in Rosemont. Courtesy of The Boy Band Night

The Boy Band Night: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Joe’s Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Songs from the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, New Kids on the Block, One Direction, the Jonas Brothers and more. $12. joesliverosemont.com.

Sunday, May 4

The Lizard Kings and Harvey Lightyear: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Rochaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. With Los del sol, La tyranna i el cid and Dian Amar. Tickets start at $12. rochaus.com.

Spyro Gyra: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Jazz super group. $49-$79. desplainestheatre.com.

Our House: 5 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. The music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. $29-$39. arcadalive.com.

Young At Heart Charity Show: 6 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Charity concert featuring the band Butterfly. Twenty percent of ticket sales and food and beverage sales will benefit Young At Heart senior pet rescue. $60. heynonny.com.

Album Covers Presents Bob Dylan: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora. Performance of Bob Dylan’s album “Highway 61 Revisited.” $20-$25. themusicvenue.org.

Deb Talan with Auralai: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Country and contemporary folk. $25-$40. evanstonspacemusic.com.

Kevin Kaarl: 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, May 4-5, at the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. “Ultra Sodade Tour 2025.” Tickets start at $50. saltshedchicago.com.

Vintage Blonde Chicago: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Album release party to celebrate “Afterlife.” $10. lh-st.com.

Monday, May 5

Rico! will perform Monday, May 5, at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Rico!

Rico!: 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 5, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Santana tribute band. $25-$35. heynonny.com.

Gary Bartz: 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 5, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Jazz. $30-$50. evanstonspacemusic.com.

Tuesday, May 6

Pete Ellman Big Band: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora. With Blackhawk Middle School and Thornridge High School. $10. themusicvenue.org.

Bourbon ‘N Brass Indie Night: 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Featuring Winter Jones, Dropship, Zero nada, and Billy Gray Music. $10. desplainestheatre.com.

Rock ‘N Ravioli Indie Night: 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Featuring The Bare Hambones, SideShowMen, Saddleman and Shameless Waters. $10. arcadalive.com.

Rookie of the Year: 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at Rochaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. Tickets start at $12. rochaus.com.

Richard Shindell: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Folk. $25-$40. evanstonspacemusic.com.

Ichiko Aoba’s “Luminescent Creatures World Tour”: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 6-7, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Japanese singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. $35-$390. thaliahallchicago.com.

Wednesday, May 7

Miyavi: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at House of Blues Chicago, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The “Samurai Guitarist” is promoting the deluxe version of his recently released album, “Lost in Love, Found in Pain.” $29.50. houseofblues.com.

Ari Hest: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter. $15-$40. heynonny.com.

Bourbon ‘N Brass Jazz Night: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Jazz with Angel Spiccia and the Joe Valentino Trio. $5, two drink or equivalent minimum requested. desplainestheatre.com.

Thursday, May 8

Trousdale: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. “Growing Pains Tour” with Beane, Nia Ashleigh and Buffchick. Tickets start at $30.50. thaliahallchicago.com.

Allison Russell’s “All Returners Tour”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $25. Grammy-winning self-taught singer, songwriter, poet, activist and multi-instrumentalist. $25. thaliahallchicago.com.

“Attack on Titan”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. The concert will showcase the iconic tracks that have come to define the series. Tickets start at $53. auditoriumtheatre.org.

Bourbon ‘N Brass Blues Night: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Blues with Downtown Charlie Brown, Donna Herula and Friends. $5, two drink or equivalent minimum requested. desplainestheatre.com.

Jeremiah Tall: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Robust vocal arrangements with full band instrumentation. $15-$30. heynonny.com.

Jazz Sessions at The Venue: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora. Live jazz featuring Jonny Gifford and his band, followed by a special jam session. $5. themusicvenue.org.

Paul Thorn: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Pop. $30-$40. evanstonspacemusic.com.

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