After the gorgeous weekend we just had, I’m not even going to hate on the temperature drop and overcast skies today. I hope your weekends were filled with fun and you were able to get your grill on.

As per usual, we’ve got some awesome shows coming to our city and I’ll even be at one or two of them. Also, next weekend, May 26th, The L Stop (who I also write for) is celebrating their first anniversary and the party should be hella fun. We’ve even got Red Hot Annie, one of Chicago’s premiere burlesque dancers, who will be providing some entertainment for the evening. Get your tickets now and note that the price of admission (be it VIP or regular) includes a three hour open bar. Grab your tickets now!

Download the Chicago Venue Menu Podcast for May 21-27 (right click “save as”)

Monday Picks:

Lee “Scratch” Perry, Subatomic Soundsystem, Illuminati Congo, Impala Sound Champions @ Lincoln Hall

Icky Blossoms with Fools Gold @ Schubas

I’m really psyched to hear the Icky Blossoms since Sarah Bohling of Tilly and the Wall is in the band and Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio and Maximum Balloon produced their upcoming self-titled debut. Grab a free track from their website.

Tuesday Picks:

M. Ward @ The Vic

Opposites with Bully in the Hallway, T’Bone and Costanza @ Fireside Bowl

Chicago’s own Bully in the Hallway are letting you name your own price for a download of their most recent album, Crooks and their Castles.

Gemma Ray opens for Ane Brun @ Lincoln Hall

I am so excited to be going to this show – Ane Brun is an incredible performer. Check out her cover of “Joga” during the 2010 Polaris Music Prize tribute to winner, Bjork:

Dark Dark Dark @ The Hideout

Wednesday Picks:

Cuff The Duke with PS I Love You @ Schubas

He’s My Brother She’s My Sister, Damn Choir, Paper Thick Walls @ Empty Bottle

Curren$y, Jets, Smoke Dza, Fiend 4 da Money, Corner Boy P, Trademark, Young Roddy @ Metro

Alejandro Escovedo, Jesse Malin @ Lincoln Hall

Thursday Picks:

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros @ The Riv

Alicia Witt, Jess Godwin, Lying Delilah @ Subterranean

Nikki Lynette @ Berlin

Yo Gotti, Zed Zilla, D. Meeks, Mikey Streetz @ Reggie’s Rock Club

Friday Picks:

David Guetta @ Congress Theater

HoZac Blackout Fest 2012 ft. Woodsman, The Sea and Cake, We Are Serenades, Housse de Racket, Bobby Conn

De La Soul @ The Shrine

Saturday Picks:

LMFAO @ Allstate Arena

Poi Dog Pondering @ Double Door

Sunday Picks:

Nadastrom, DJ Sabo, Willy Joy, Jay Fay @ Metro

Poi Dog Pondering @ Double Door

Crystal Fighters, Is Tropical, Spooky Moon @ Empty Bottle