Sound check: Draft Week reunites for Subterranean show
Next Draft
Southern DuPage County-born alternative quartet Draft Week is getting back in the game. After a two-year break exploring other projects, the band - with original members Kevin McNamara, Chad DeLeon and Mike Zevin, along with new drummer Nathan Taylor - has been working on some new songs Draft Week will be playing along with some well-crafted, blues-influenced hard-rocking favorites. The Dead Hands, Dan Durley and Dead Lucid join the welcome back party. 8 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
A walk-on would be fine ...
Nearly three decades ago, the Lemonheads sang about Ray, Alison and the long-lost Frank Mills (not to mention the dear “Mrs. Robinson” cover in the reissue) on “It's a Shame About Ray,” the band's near-perfect, fuzzed-out, college-rock-era answer to the early-'90s call for grimy, catchy alternative. Evan Dando, the voice behind the Lemonheads' hits, may be the only founding member left in the band, but he's keeping it alive with solo performances and band tours featuring a collective of talented artists. Catch the favorites as he's joined on a bill by Tommy Stinson at Chicago's Thalia Hall. 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. $25-$35. (312) 526-3851 or thaliahallchicago.com.
Legendary Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga, the Tony Award-winning Broadway performer and international superstar behind roles such as Kim in “Miss Saigon,” Eponine and Fantine in “Les Miserables” and Princess Jasmine in Disney's “Aladdin,” as well as TV and movie appearances, is nothing short of a performing legend. She brings “The Human Heart Tour” to Chicago's Copernicus Center for what promises to be a stunning night of music. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $70-$125. (773) 777-8898 or copernicuscenter.com.
Songwriter showcase
Chicago music scene veteran Todd Kessler brings a Nashville-style air to the performance space at his monthly “Songwriters in the Round” showcases at Hey Nonny. This month's intimate staging features special guests Pat McKillen, Mike Heidemann and Marshall Hjertstedt in the cozy Arlington Heights venue. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. $10-$20. (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.
<i> Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music fanboy. Find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter at @thatshamieguy. Brian also keeps tabs on the Chicago-area music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.</i>