ANTIOCH – A little thunder and showers would not keep music fans away, as a large crowd continued to dance and cheer to the last note of the very last song at the It’s Thursday concert series in Antioch.
The seventh and final concert this season took place at the William E. Brook Entertainment Center (a.k.a. the Band shell) Aug. 22 with the Blooze Brothers, a wacky and soulful tribute band from Chicago, who kicked it into full gear as families and friends relaxed on lawn chairs, dancing or tapping their feet, enjoying food and drink from the local vendors.
Playing songs from the movie and decked out in black suits, top hats, and glasses, the band brought a four-piece standing horn section, drummer, bass guitar, electric, and keyboard. Smiling kids twirled, jumped, and danced to their rocking blues beat. Anxious to get a glimpse, they tried climbing the stage in excitement.
Based off the 1980 musical comedy set in Chicago, "The Blues Brothers," starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, developed from a "Saturday Night Live" musical sketch that featured musical numbers by soul legends like James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker.
The band’s motto, “Why hire a band, when you can have an event,” rings true with the amount of energy and variety it brings to the stage. The performers high-frequency show covers music from the '40s to swing, Motown, soul, and rhythm and blues. They even have the Blooze Mobile Replica car that Jake and Elwood Blues use to make their entrance.
The band handed out DVDs inspiring people to get out of their chairs and dance.
The sound, handled by L.A. Sound, amplified nicely to people on the hill, behind the vendors, far from the stage. They also were recording the performance.
The village of Antioch and major sponsors like State Bank of the Lakes and Community Town and Trust, were able to put enough money together to offer this celebration free to the public.
Special events supervisor Shawn Roby wanted to create an event the public could attend for free.
"It gives people a chance to be with family and do something as a group opposed to everyone doing their own thing," Roby said. "My favorite thing about the concerts is that they’re free to the public. I get to go out and create an event that doesn't have to come out of their local pocketbook."
Roby spread the word about the event through press releases, community newsletters, and direct mailing. Roby mentioned highlights from the previous Thursday nights, which included the bands Libido Funk Circus of Chicago and Legends, who performed during the classic car show where their were more than 2,200 people. Roby books the bands and has been involved in the music industry more than 10 years.
Kim Chase, a 1975 graduate of Antioch Community High School, remembered hearing the Blooze Brothers when she was in high school.
"I always come up here and listen to these guys when they're playing," she said. "I’ve seen them out at Blarney's Island, and my sister used to have the hots for them."
The band did renditions of songs like “Stand by Your Man” by Tammy Wynette; “Ides of March” by The Buckingham’s; Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire;” and American Breed’s “Bend me Shape me."
Community volunteers Michele Keefe and her daughter Taylor, 17 of Antioch helped local merchants handing out raffle tickets for a drawing to win different prizes.
Anyone with a receipt from an Antioch merchant could join the raffle.
"All local stores, restaurants, gas stations, any receipt from an Antioch business within the last 10 days," Michele said. "Anybody that they're supporting, they bring their receipts and they draw for different certificates of different merchants in the area. We did this every Thursday over the past few months."
The AARP chapter 387, which runs operations at Antioch Senior Center was serving food raising money for the troops in Iraq. The money goes toward paying the $9 postage to send care packages to troops.
So far, the group has donated about $4,500 to send 500 care packages using donated items like toiletries and socks collected by Antioch VFW Post 4551.
President Jack Schuman spoke with liveliness about the event.
"It's a lot of fun, all fun,” Schuman said. “We prepare all our food here. We got hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, French fries, nachos, bakery goods, and coffee. We got almost anything.”
At 8:30 p.m. the lead singer made an announcement saying some thunder and showers were on their way and that the band would continue playing.
Despite a prolonged period of rain people stuck it out, enjoying the beer, conversation, and wonderful music. Umbrellas began popping up, and people kept dancing and enjoying the tunes.
Brian Kelley of Antioch was dressed head to toe in a tight-fitting Elvis costume he bought at JJ Blinkers, which he wore, strutting his stuff for the show. He danced like the King, grabbing attention, showing his enthusiasm.
After the show, the musicians spoke about their work.
Tenor saxophonist Andy Blanco of Cary is an eight-year veteran of the Blooze Brothers.
“We have a good time,” he said. "I’m a big time fan of the Blue Brothers movies – absolutely no question. It’s a lot of fun playing with these guys, I can recite every line from that movie.”
Blanco enjoyed the crowds’ liveliness.
“What a crowd, unbelievable,” he said. “It’s humid, it’s pouring down rain, and they’re out there screaming their heads off. Who could ask for anything more than that? It’s a beautiful thing!”
John Kattke, lead guitarist with the band, had the good fortune of working with Chicago blues artists like Buddy Guy, Coco Taylor, Otis Rush and Mad Murphy. He’s done a lot of shows at Guy’s club Legends in Chicago.
“It’s always great playing here,” Kattke said. “The crowds always responsive and there’s a lot of energy going back and forth between us and them, so it’s always a good time.”
Jeff Sismelich of Orland Park, who resembled John Belushi’s character, “Joliet” Jake Blues, sang and danced wildly, capturing the spirit of the blues. He joined the band back in March, and was apart of a Blue Brothers tribute in the '80s.
He loved the Antioch crowd as well.
“They were incredible, very receptive, and energetic," he said "I admire anyone who will sit through some rain and showers and be as involved as they were; it’s just a great crowd.”
Jack Shuman of the AARP worded the experience nicely.
“It’s about the excitement, the excitement,” he said. “And the people, I just love all the people.”
For Jan Pfarr, the excitement is mutual.
"I love it," she said. "I've been coming for the past few years, invited friends a long with me and they end up coming all the time too. And the music's good, too."
