uptown updates fall
November 17th, 2010
Uptown Playlist Theater
Happy Trails is More Than a Song
By Ray


Sam GurfSorry this one needs to go out in the middle of the night. I have a rather sad announcement, I am retiring from show business. I have been thinking about this for some time and have decided that a commitment I made to Bill Kirchen a long time ago will be my last show at the playlist theater. By the time Bill closes his show on April 15th, probably with the song "Hot Rod Lincoln" it will have been over 5 years and over 65 shows since Ray Bonneville strummed the the first notes here. I wanted to give you enough warning to enable you to make arrangements to attend as many upcoming shows as possible. We have a great line-up.

To explain there are several reasons. It has just become too difficult. I am not here to complain but on show days my shift starts at 6 am and ends at midnight. Granted there might be a Guinness or two mixed in, but the day is full of stress because I a
playist logo verticalm a perfectionist. I want every thing to go as perfect as possible for the artist and the patrons. I have too much respect for these artists to give them anything less. My personal schedule is changing which makes it much harder to schedule shows. More than anything else I want to be able to go to shows again, at a small venue, pay my 20$ and worry about nothing else but enjoying the music. Life is short.

I would like to think I have brought some enjoyment, besides mine, to the music lovers in our area. After this long and after this many shows I feel like I have paid my dues. We never did these shows for the money. Most shows broke even and some we took it on the chin. I felt how we dealt with our artists was more than fair and was part of the reason we were able to get the type of talent that we did. The other reason it was sucessfull was you, the music lovers in our area. Sometimes the artists would look around with curiosity and wonder what are all these people doing here on a Tuesday night. They were not used to the type of respect they get here. By the end of the night almost every artist was impressed by your knowledge, attentivness and overall appreciation. Some compared it to playing in their own living room.

I am not leaving you high and dry. Since we started in March of 2006 there are many new places that are offering quality live shows. You still have to drive a little but it is not like you have to go to Chicago. In the Quad Cities and Blooomington there are places that have a similar lineup. We also have a couple people in the area that are doing some great "house parties" too.

Thanks to Bernie and Tom for all their help and encouragement. The hardest part of this decision was telling the two of them. I would have never thought of doing this without Bernie. From laying out the stage plot, to sound check, to solving problems during the show, his dedication to every show was tireless. Tom, besides his MC duties was always my sounding board as to what should happen and what should not. Greg thanks for all the pictures, Jay thanks for archiving much of it. Thanks to all the fill in helpers we had. Thanks to Jlo and the rest of my staff. I will never get service anywhere during a show like I got here. Last but not least thanks to all of the patrons that made this series great.

If someone would want to continue the series I am not ruling it out and I would discuss the prospects. Consistency would be the key. I am sure some favorable arrangements could be reached as far as facilities, equipment and contacts. I would like to see it continue.

Now I have this great collection of posters in my office. I love it when an artist would go around the room and talk about the other musicians on the posters. The little-known connections between them was amazing. They love to talk about and respect each others music. My wife said not to bore everyone with my memories of the shows so I won't do it here. (but if you are interested I will blather on a little bit at the very end of this newsletter). In closing, I wanted to stop while it was still something special in my eyes. Over the next few months we are going to go out in a blaze of glory because..... "it's better to burn out than fade away"

Happy Trails, Much thanks to all of you Ray.
Uptown Playlist Theater
Upcoming Shows
By Nikki & Ray

Arthur Lee Land - Tuesday December 28th


Arthur Lee LandArthur Lee Land combines the eclectic influences of Folk Rock, World Beat and Bluegrass to create a new genre he calls: "Afrograss Folk Rock". Based out of Fairfield, Iowa, Arthur is renown for his stunning one-man performances. Through his exquisite expression of joy and musical mastery in the Art of Live-Looping, he showcases his songs and diverse musical vision to fully engaged audiences. "Live Looping" is when the musician creates his own background by recording bits of him playing during the music, and he has them looping as long as he needs them or repeating whenever he calls them back. Creating unique "on-the-fly" song-form Live-Looping masterpieces, Arthur will make you forget you are watching just one man. As he weaves across the stage, his multi-instrumental compositions are rich and intricate enough for an 8 piece band. Tickets on sale now for $15.


Arthur first came to our attention through a recommendation by Willy Porter. Willy called him the "King of the Loopers. Quite a compliment coming from Willy Porter. Arthur will be performing solo, kind of......


Happy Cow - Video

Strawberry Fields Forever - Video

Arthur Lee Land on the art of looping - Video


Arthur Lee Land - Website


Paul Cebar - Friday, January 7th


 paul cebar band


Paul Cebar is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has a penchant for African, Latin American and Caribbean music. He previously performed here in September of 2009.  He cut his teeth musically in the coffeehouse folk scene of the mid-'70s in Milwaukee. With his band "The Milwaukeean's" he recorded 5 albums from 1993 to 2001. Paul will be appearing here with  his latest ensemble "Tomorrow Sound". Tickets on sale now for $15


.

This was one of the best shows we have had. With the Milwaukeean's Paul was a live music legend in Chicago for many years. Five talented and tight musicians 


Paul Cebar - Video

Paul Cebar - Website


Samantha Crain - Friday, January 28th


Samantha Crain and bandSamantha Crain is from Shawnee, Oklahoma and is of Choctaw heritage. Shawnee is a town whose remote location influenced her quirky, earthy interpretation of folk music. She often played as part of the Ramseur Records band, Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers. Ramseur Records noticed her when she was out of college and just criss-crossing the country with her guitar in hand.  Tickets on sale now for $15.



I found her around the same time we discovered The Everybodyfields. She was on the same record label. I have been trying to have her play here for a couple of years now. Last year she had the honor of being tapped to open for the Avett Brothers. I was lucky enough to catch her performance. It was electric. She is electric.

She will be performing as a trio. Great website too!


Lions - Video

Sante Fe - Video

Samantha Crain - Website


On Sale Soon


 Spampinato Brothers -  Although we sent this in the middle of night this is not spam. It is Spampinato. Watch for NRBQ's Spampinato brothers in early March.

Two Members of the legendary band  NRBQ (New Rhythm and Blues Quartet), Joey and Johnny Spampinato, now  branch out, joined by Aaron Spade (guitar) and J. Cournoyer,(drums),to form The Spampinato Brothers.  

Joey  Spampinato, is a founding member of NRBQ, the legendary rock'n'roll band for several decades where he served as bassist, vocalist, and songwriter. He  played on several international artist's releases including Keith Richards'  album "Talk Is Cheap",  Bonnie Raitt's  "Fundamental" , and was one  of the bassists on Eric Clapton's "24 Nights: Live From Albert Hall" in 1991.  He appeared in the film "Hail, Hail Rock N' Roll", with the legendary Chuck Berry, Keith Richards and many more.

Johnny Spampinato, the  personable left-handed guitar slinger, continues to provide vocal &  writing talents to the group as well as casting his contagious enthusiasm for his fishing excursions. Joined NRBQ in 1994 and now a major contributor  to the Spampinato Brothers. Johnny was part of the NRBQ  lineup when they appeared on " The Simpsons" as animated characters, and was the first band to perform as themselves, LIVE on the show.

 
"Pie in the Sky" is their  first CD and is due out next week. Tickets on sale soon


Bill Kirchen - The Titan of the Telecaster - Friday April 15 - Tickets on sale soon

Bill Kirchen - Website

At the Bar
New Beers on Draft
By Jim

New on tap this week, we have 2 new brews. Pyramid Apricot Ale and Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale.


pyramid apricotPyramid Brewing Company (Originally Hart Brewing Company), located in Seattle, Washington opened in 1984. It produced one of the first American microbrews. Over the course of the next 10 years, it changed its name to what it is today. Pyramid used to feature one of the single largest selections of beer types among a single brewer in the United States. They made beers from all the major types; ales, lagers, weizens, ciders, porters and IPAs. Currently, the selection has been pruned to six. Apricot ale is a year round beer that the taste and aroma of fresh apricot is coupled with the smooth finish of wheat malts. We felt this brew brought a little flavor to our current selection.


rogueRogue Brewing company began in 1988 in Ashland, Oregon, along  a very scenic little stream called Lithia Creek. The 10 barrel brew system was set up in a basement with a 60 seat Pub above. The first brews were Amber and Gold and the Rouge brewery and pub was born. While the Brew Pub was located in a very pretty and scenic location, Ashland was basically land locked, and frankly sales just were not very good.

In 1989, Newport, a much bigger city, became their current home.  Rogue offers more than 30 different beers and is still growing. It is famous for its "Dead Guy Ale.  Hazelnut brown ale is a nutty twist to a traditional European brown ale. It is dark brown in color with a hazelnut aroma, a rich nutty flavor and a smooth malty finish. This beer was the World Champ in the 2007 World Beer Championship.


Things to Try This Week
3 things to trySeveral years ago, I was in one of the major Chicago wine stores, and I noticed a display where some of the members of their staff would recommend a certain wine for the week. Any of you who have visited one of these wine stores knows your choices can be daunting. Many of the recommended wines were a very good value from unknown wineries. I thought to myself what a great way to offer suggestions. After time, if you were a regular customer, you would come to know that you really like the type of red that "Joe" would pick and "Molly's" white wine selections were great quality also. This is what we are going to try and do in this section every week. With over 100 items on our food menu, 400 behind the bar and ever changing specials, we are asking our in house foodies, servers, winos, chefs and supervisors for their suggestions. These are not things we are trying to sell or get rid of, just things that are really good this week from the people that know our product the best. Hopefully over time by reading our newsletters, you can find one of our staff members whose taste you really trust.

Green Enchilada App
From Nikki
- This week I am recommending the green enchilada for an appetizer to try. Our six ounce mesquite marinated chicken breast is served with basil cream, spinach and mozzarella cheese. It is all wrapped up in a soft flour tortilla, topped with a basil leaf and served with our house salsa. If you are little bit hungrier than just an appetizer, we do also serve the green enchilada as an entree with two six ounce chicken breasts and a side dish for only $14.75.




bananas fosterFrom Jim
-
Well, last week we heard what Ryan likes after dinner. Although I do I agree with him and his statements about the lost art of after dinner drinks, as I almost always enjoy a White Russian after a meal while dining out, it is hard to pass up dessert. Over the course of the last year, there has been some debate about taking the Banana's Foster off of our menu.  A few of us here think that it is too similar to the Cinnamon Tortilla. (Ahem....Ryan, Ray and Chef Chris. Sorry guys!)  I am the lone manager that has defended the Banana's Foster existence on our menu in our meetings and I will try my best to help keep it on. So next time you are in, give it a try. What more can you ask for? Fresh bananas caramelized and served over a warm pool of caramel sauce with banana ice cream and topped with cinnamon sugar. Although we do not flambe it tableside like the Red Door used to, this is still the perfect after dinner treat for me. I guess if you do not like bananas, well this is not the dish for you, but if you have never tried, I strongly suggest.



trout app
From Andrew
-
Something I think you should try on the menu is our smoked trout.  We serve it with horseradish sauce as a sandwich or starter.  While I prefer the starter with our flatbread crackers, both are great.  The trout does have a nice, smokey flavor, with some lemon pepper and garlic.  I would say that it's one of the more underrated items on our menu.  Try it out and see that I'm right.
Not Your "Everyday" Specials
steak dianeMonday Nights, Steak Diane

Every Monday after 4 pm, we will be serving Steak Diane for $13.75. This will be just like the Red Door Inn. With Victor's stamp of approval.

 
weinerstzle Wienerschnitzel Wednesday

Every Wednesday after 4pm, we will be serving authentic German Wienerschnitzel. Served with roasted asparagus, spaetzel and veal demi glaze it is only $11.75.


seafood trio newFriday Nights, Seafood Mixed Grill

4 oz broiled lobster tail with drawn butter, 4 oz salmon filet with basil cream, and 4 oz
whitefish parmesan with lemon caper butter. All for only $19.75
 

Prime RibPrime Rib, Friday and Saturday Evening

Available after 4pm every Friday and Saturday night is our herb crusted prime rib of beef. Our prime rib is slow roasted for several hours in our 1980 alto shaam. It is served with au jus, mushrooms and your choice of side dish.
Available in 12oz $19.75 or 16oz $22.75   
  Lamb
A Lamb Lovers Delight, Saturday Nights

Every Saturday night after 4pm we will be serving slow roasted leg of lamb with mint demi glaze. It will be served with our mashed potato of the day and roasted cauliflower topped with parmesan cheese. $19.50
 
fajitasSunday, All Day, 
Sizzling Fajita and Margaritas

You get a chicken fajita with a 64 ounce pitcher of margaritas, serving 2 for $20
On Special This Week
Hummus Trio

Blackened Duck Quesadillas

Katama Bay Oysters on the Half Shell Served With Mignonette

Liver and Bib Wedged Salad with Balsamic Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette

Wurstsalat

Panini Sandwich with Roasted Lamb, Feta Cheese and Roasted Red Peppers

BBQ Meatloaf Sandwich

Broiled Fresh Cod Filet with Sauteed Spinach and Artichoke Orange Compote

Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with Pomegranate Jus Sharp Cheddar Polenta and Roasted Baby Carrots

Sauteed Broccolini and Carnival Cauliflower

Homemade California Cheesecake
Win a Free Lunch
Foodie Fight Free Lunch Contest

foodie fight
Each week in the newsletter we will ask three questions from the foodie fight cards. The first person to email us (see link below) the correct answers to all three questions will receive a complimentary lunch. The winner has to have the exact answer for all three questions, no exceptions! The following week we will publish the correct answers and the winner of the previous week. So come in and have a drink, study the cards, test each other and have fun. Good Luck!


1. What is a good indicator that cut fish is fresh?

2. What element in eggs causes silver to tarnish?

3. What Native American tuber is a member of the morning glory family and is neither a potato nor a yam?


email your answers to
[email protected]

Fine Print...
You must be the first person to respond with all three correct answers.
The response must go to the email address in the above link.
You must reply within 24 hours from the time the newsletter is published.
Participants are eligible to win a limit of 3 times a year.

Last week's questions and answers...

1. 
What vegetable spear is properly eaten with the fingers if not too large or heavily sauced?   ASPARAGUS

2. At what hour on a clock face does the vegetable go for a traditionally set dinner plate?     2 O'CLOCK
 
3. What ancient thistle is a cousin to the artichoke and has a similar flavor in its giant celery-like stalks?    CARDOON


Last weeks winner of the free lunch ........ Marion Conerton
Playlist Theater Memories
By Ray
Willie P. Bennett
Willie P. Bennett shortly before his untimely demise
Thanks for the memories! First off I could fill the next 3 weeks worth of newsletters with my memories. I cannot let it go without mentioning some of my personal highlights.

Our second show Bo Ramsey put a guy on the guest list. At the end of the night I found out the guest just happened to be sitting in the lobby of the La Quinta and saw Bo and Pieta leaving the hotel for the show. Immediately recognizing Bo's signature cowboy hat and lanky figure, he stopped them and Bo invited him as his guest. His excitement about stumbling into this went a long way towards making me want to continue the series.

Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez was my second favorite show that we had here. After listening to them all summer it was great to meet the "wild thing" legend and the soon to be star. The music was incredible.

Having drinks one on one with Dave Moore and Chris Knight. Most of the time there are tons of people around. After things died down these two nights it was so cool to have a lengthy conversation with each of them over a couple of drinks. They could not have been any cooler.

Griffin and the boys hanging out until the wee hours. Who could forget Griffin sitting on the bar strumming and singing away. I will never forget hearing Griffin's song about the oil spill, performed here for the the first time

The Everybodyfields show. They showed up missing a band member and some equipment. They borrowed some of Bernies stuff for the rest of their tour. The day after the  show they asked if they could use the room for practice. For the entire day I was lucky enough to listen to Sam and Jill. It was magic.

Watching Tom and David Lindley hitting it off like old friends. Tom knew so much of his history and I am sure David got a real kick out of it.

Girls wearing their Griffin House t-shirts
Sam Baker
and Gurf Morlix was my favorite show of all time, anywhere. Anyone that does not at least get teary eyed when hearing "waves" has no soul. Mike Ficek, my future son in law, happened to be on the same delayed flight from Austin that day. Mike escorted them through the airport to LaSalle. They pulled up in the alley 15 minutes late for the show, strapped on their guitars and put on their classic song swapping routine. Who could forget "The Mennonite Boy"

Having my personal musical giants here Chuck Prophet and Alejandro Escovedo back to back

Johnny A's two plus hours of instumental wanderings. The notes were so pure and sharp they would enter through your forehead and exit your skull in 3 different places.
   
What Jeffrey Foucault said about me while he was on stage.

Marla Hammond (John's wife) and Rita Anderes (My wife) growling at each other about seating to start the night and becoming best friends by the end of the night.

The first concert layout


Meeting Mary Gauthier as she was walking in the front door and asking me if Fred Eaglesmith is playing here next? She proceeds to tell me that a few days earlier they were holed up in a Nashville motel room together writing songs. They never compared notes that they were heading to the same place. They both performed Fred's "Your Sister Cried" here.
   
Bill Kirchen's Hot Rod Lincoln - The best nine minutes in live Rock Roll period!




Some Regrets........

Never finding the buzz

I would have loved to have had Ray Wylie Hubbard, & Nick Lowe - I can dream.......

I would have loved to repeat Chip and Carrie, and, Sam and Gurf one more time.

The biggest regret was never having my all time favorite, Greg Brown.

Thanks again
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Uptown Grill
601 First St.
La Salle, Il 61301
815-224-4545
Mon - Thur 11 am to 10pm  - Fri & Sat 11 am to 11 pm
Sun Noon to 10 pm
 
Uptowngrill.com
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