Once you've flushed the noel out of your yule log, head over to Shank Hall to show your support for Bob Jennings.
If you read the site regularly, you'll recall that last week I told you that veteran local musician Bob Jennings lost a large cache of musical instruments to thieves.
Now, other musicians and friends are rallying around Jennings, whose keyboards, saxophones and accordion have been key components in bands like The R&B Cadets, Semi-Twang, Blue in the Face and Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans. They host "Bob Night: A Benefit for Bob Jennings" at Shank Hall at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27. The smoke-free show costs $10 (all of which goes to Jennings to replace his lost gear).
The good news is that Jennings told me that some of the gear has been returned to him, thanks to a local musical instrument retailer who came across the stuff (the crooks likely attempted to sell the equipment to them).
"My saxes -- tenor & bari(tone) -- were recovered by Cascio Music and the New Berlin Police. South Milwaukee Police continue to investigate. Still missing are my Baldoni accordion (25 key, 12 bass, cream colored), Korg CX3 organ, Motion Sound KT80 amplifier & Motion Sound rotary pedal foot switch."
Performing at the concert are Jennings bands Semi-Twang and Blue in the Face -- both of which recently played reunion shows at Shank -- along with The Subcontinentals, The Lackloves, Tom Schwark's Trio Du Monde, Brian Dale and Peter Strand.
Go and help out one of the finest local musicians and an all-around good guy. And, if you come across any gear that resembles Jennings' missing equipment, e-mail him at jenningsrj@gmail.com. --Bobby Tanzilo
Even if temps are dropping outside during the holiday weekend, it's going to be hot and steamy in the Cactus Club Saturday night. A packed bill featuring DJ Doormouse, DJ Anonymous, Kid Millions and Juiceboxxx brings locals home for a great night of electrifying beats. Kid Millions, a veteran in the Milwaukee scene, has collaborated with the Rusty P's and Codebreaker but flies solo on this year's "Recession Proof Rap." Just to fit your holiday budget, this free show starts at 10 p.m. -- Maureen Post
It's your Christmas Eve eve double whammy of musician Kris Maedke-Russell. Kris is a member of high-voltage Milwaukee band Father Phoenix as well as veteran rockers Call Me Lightning, both of which are playing at the Cactus Club on Wednesday, Dec. 23 starting at 10 p.m. We're still waiting patiently for Call Me Lightning to release its highly-anticipated new album, but we're pretty sure the band will share plenty of its new material at the show as an early Christmas present. Or should we say Kris-mas present? -- Julie Lawrence
And let's not forget:
Shank Hall hosts some Christmas cheer for a good cause as the Sleighriders Annual Benefit for the SafeZone Community Art Center takes place tonight, Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes performances by a star-studded cast that includes Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos, Eddie Butts, Sigmund Snopek, Warren Wiegratz, Steve Cohen, Greg Koch, Xeno, Connie Grauer and many, many more.
When you are just about "done" with holiday festivities, you can unwind by joining Pat McCurdy for a show Saturday night at Shank. McCurdy usually goes all out for shows around the holidays, so he may have some leftover "re-gifts" to distribute to what is sure to be a festive crowd.
