Sound check: BrauerHouse brings exotic cars, Chicago music to America's birthday bash
What screams America more than flashy cars, grilled food and rock 'n' roll? BrauerHouse checks off all the boxes with its Fourth of July celebration. Stay socially distanced from people as you get up close to Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McClarens and more from the Midwest Rally Club and Chicago Auto Club West starting at 11 a.m. The music starts at 3 p.m., with Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T's playing a solo show headlining a roster that includes Mark Rose of Spitalfield (solo), punk band Take the Reins and Mer. The event is free for the car show and standing room on the outdoor patio for the music. In keeping with state-mandated distancing guidelines, a limited number of VIP table packages are also available — $75 will net a VIP patio table for four for the concert, while VIP access inside the bar is available for $25 a person. All ages outside, but you have to be 21 or older to enter the bar for VIP access. Tickets must be purchased in advance at brauerhouse.com. BrauerHouse is at 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard.
Nellie's (formerly Durty Nellie's) lightens spirits on the holiday with a Socially Distancing 4th of July Parking Lot Party. For $5 each day, catch some great food, drinks and musical acts outdoors. Starting at 4 p.m. Friday, July 3, see Gerald & Camille, The Belvederes, Suit Up and DJ Bobby Styles. The Saturday, July 4, lineup, starting at 2 p.m., features Pino Farina, Serendipity (playing an acoustic set), Lara Bell, Jasmine & Perona and DJ Pulse. Confirm set times at durtynellies.com; Nellie's parking lot is at 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. (847) 358-9150.
Hey Nonny celebrates all day with music and food, including brunch and dinner seatings, and four sets of music. Barbara Clifford Band, Karlye Lapetina, J Livi and the Party and Brother John Kattke Blues Trio will play starting at 11:30 a.m. Reserve your table at heynonny.com or (224) 202-0750. Hey Nonny is at 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights.
Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington, puts Blues Jamboree and Trigger Happy in the beer garden for an afternoon show at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com.
West Dundee's Poul and Jake Freitag from The County Line jam band play an acoustic duo show from 7 to 11 p.m. outdoors in the parking lot at Huntley Bowl Hi, 10520 N. Route 47, Huntley. facebook.com.
BaseCamp Pub & Eatery has a full day of American music starting with a free patio party and Overstreet set from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 4. The folks at BaseCamp will open up the back patio for a night of country favorites from Hillbilly Rockstarz, playing from 7 to 11 p.m. 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle; facebook.com.
FitzGerald's Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, celebrates the holiday out on its new patio stage with free music. From 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4, Chandelier Swingers takes the stage, followed by a vinyl DJ set with Tony Medina. The Fox Crossing Stringband brings it back around to Americana for a full set at 7 p.m. And if you're planning on sticking closer to home for the holiday, FitzGerald's wants to party with you at a distance: Folk artist Naomi Ashley plays the club's Stay-At-Home Concert Series from 4 to 5 p.m. that afternoon. Locals can see the pickup truck performance (to be announced later this week) or watch from the comfort of your own devices. Get more information at fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Chosen Few house fest
The Chosen Few DJs — Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King, Andre Hatchett, Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn — aren't giving up on their annual Chosen Few Picnic. Moving online and bringing in actor and comedian Deon Cole as a special guest DJ, the group's Chosen Few Virtual House Music Festival will go on from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Step away from the grill and catch the performances at chosenfewdjs.com.
RaviniaTV
Growing from disappointment with the cancellation of Ravinia Festival's summer season because of public health concerns, Nick Pullia, Ravinia's director of communications, launched RaviniaTV, a 20-minute-long weekly webcast on the park's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Starting at 7 p.m. Friday, July 3, the weekly variety show will kick off with an at-home performance by jazz legend Ramsey Lewis and concert footage from rock band Chicago's performance last year. Upcoming editions will feature pop and rock stars such as Andrew Bird, Ralph Covert and Cathy Richardson; orchestral performances by the Chen Quartet and the Lincoln Trio; soprano Michelle Areyzaga, singer/actress Sylvia McNair and Gershwin-expert pianist Kevin Cole; and much more. Also watch for closer-to-home stars from the Chicago area making appearances.
Side Street's virtual battle
Congratulations to The Mini Projects for winning last week's Side Street Studio Arts' virtual Battle of the Bands. The battle is taking the weekend off because of the holiday, but it'll be back Saturday, July 11, with Dillie Jean, Girl and The Star and Milhouse in the ring. See sidestreetstudioarts.com/battleofthebands for more information.
• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Email him at bshamie@dailyherald.com, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@thatshamieguy) or Instagram (@chicagosoundcheck). Brian also keeps tabs on the Chicago-area music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.