On Saturday night, The Highdive hosted two excellent Chicago bands: Pinebender and Dianogah. Both have been making music for over decade and this weekend's show highlighted this fact — each band put on an excellent show. It also helped that the sound in The Highdive was stellar both in the audience and up on stage (as pointed out by Chris from Pinebender many, many times while they played). People trickled in during Pinebender's set until there was a modest crowd by the start of Dianogah.

Click the jump to read about Dianogah's set.

This weekend I took a trip out to the Octave Chanute Air Museum in Rantoul, Ill. The museum contains a number of extensive indoor exhibits showcasing the history of the Chanute Air Base from when it opened in 1917 until it's closure in 1993. The air base was also original home to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II and the museum features an exihibit on the history surrounding the squadron. In addition to the indoor exhibits, the hangar includes a vast collection of aircraft from very early gliders through modern jets.

A little bit of rain didn't stop the show last Wednesday night at Mike 'N Molly's. Opening up the show was Dave Samuel's side project Mordechai in the Mirror, followed by Peoria's Tina Sparkle, and closing with The Living Blue. Expect an iTunes release of The Living Blue's new record Walk, Talk, Rhythm, Roam this August.

I was talking to some friends who have lived for quite a while in Champaign-Urbana and was very surprised to hear that they have never been to Monticello, Ill. "What? How can this be!" I exclaimed. Not only is Monticello a great little town with all sorts of fun things to do, but it's where the wonderful Allerton Park is located. Home to an amazing glassworking studio, an independent record store and great restaurants, Monticello is definitely the place to visit this summer. And by the way, I've heard that Monticello puts on the best Fourth of July fireworks display in all of East Central Illinois (being held this year at Lodge Park north of Monticello at dusk on July 3).

We really do have the best of both worlds living in Champaign-Urbana. We have all the comforts and benefits of city life and yet, in a matter of minutes, we can find ourselves in the beauty of the Illinois countryside. This truly is bliss.

House shows are apparently no longer a thing of the past. For those of you looking for a change of scenery from the regular bar venue fare, be sure to check out one of the many house shows that are popping up more and more in the Champaign-Urbana area. Cornbread's CD release show was held this past Saturday night at the Broadway Haus. Along with performances by TEXT and Mohrer Les, all supported by resident musicians, The Sugar Gliders, the show was a nice change of pace.

Last Saturday, Krukid & The Sugargliders left everyone speechless at Mike 'N Molly's. If you missed this show, check his schedule and make it to the next one. You won't regret it.