Brad Cole's Acoustic Circus @ Uncommon Ground, 5/31

A long-running showcase for Chicago singer-songwriter Brad Cole and some of his favorite local and national musicians (past performers include Steve Dawson and Shovels & Rope), Brad Cole's Acoustic Circus takes up a monthly residency at another Windy City institution, Uncommon Ground at 3800 N. Clark. Uncommon Ground is well-known by aspiring musicians as the first Chicago venue to book the late and legendary Jeff Buckley.

Acoustic Circus kicks off this Thursday, May 31 at 8PM with sets by Cole, Dan Connolly, Melanie Budd and Eric Michaels & Kate Schell (from Radio One favorites Paper Thick Walls).

More info here.

Poi Dog Pondering Double Header @ Double Door

Local legends Poi Dog Pondering will be playing back-to-back shows this weekend (Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27) at Double Door.

The shows, billed as the The Poi Memorial Day Double Header, are sure to feature 25 years of hits and a few surprises. And while there is no indication of new Poi music on the horizon, band leader Frank Orrall does have a new self-released, handmade recording entitled Never Trade These Days that will be available (in super limited edition) at the shows. DJRC will spin both nights of the Double Header.

Tickets and more information here and here.

Furious Frank to support The Dead Kenny G's @ Martyrs'

Chicago gypsy punks Furious Frank will be supporting Seattle jazz punks The Dead Kenny G's at Martyrs' this Thursday, May 24.

Showtime is 9PM, there is a $10 cover and the age restriction is 21+. Tickets are here.

Rave on!

Las Guitarras Collaborator Goes Through The Mirror

Carlo Basile, guitarist for Las Guitarras De Espana, will be one of the featured musicians in A Traves Del Espejo (Through the Mirror) at Adventure Stage Chicago, Friday May 18, Saturday May 19 (both shows 8PM) and Sunday May 20 at 4PM.

The show is the brainchild of local flamenco dancer Chiara Mangiameli, recently seen alongside Rick Bayless in the critically acclaimed Cascabel.

A Traves Del Espejo will feature student dancers from Studio Mangiameli alongside top musicians from the Chicago world music scene. Tickets and more info here.

Derek Nelson & the Musicians @ Hideout

If you missed Derek Nelson & the Musicians recent performances at Strobe Studios and in support of The Band of Heathens, you have a chance to catch them tonight at The Hideout.

The band will support Machine Gun Mojo (reportedly playing out for the final time) and Minnesota duo Saint Anyway will open the show. Tickets and more info here.

Mutts Celebrate Vinyl Release @ Burlington Bar

Mutts are celebrating the limited edition vinyl release of their critically acclaimed Pray for Rain with a show at Burlington Bar this Saturday, May 12. The band is planning on playing the album front-to-back and will have a few guest musicians on hand to make the night an extra-special affair.

Mutts will be supported by Wisconsin sugar punks Good Grief and snappy Chicago trio Jet W. Lee. 

9PM doors/21+/$5 suggested donation

Clip Art Releases Two New Tracks

Sophisticated local pop group Clip Art are using their next show, a support slot for the Hudson Branch at Lincoln Hall next Tuesday, May 8, as an opportunity to release two new tracks, "Death V. Decline" and "Pains of the Young."

"Death V. Decline" marries the prep school Caribbean swing of Vampire Weekend to Andrew Bird-style flights of fancy, while "Pains of the Young" is cerebral chamber pop complete with mellotron. Both songs can be downloaded here.