By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
With taverns, nightclubs, theaters and coffeehouses closed—and live entertainment a fading memory—Clearing wife and husband Reneé Blixt and William Seiyo Shehan are pulling together a diverse group of artists to celebrate the human spirit.
“A Bohemian Night: A Virtual Variety Hour” is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25 online.
The hourlong event will feature six performers—most from the Chicago area but a couple from beyond.
“I wouldn’t call it vaudeville, but there will be a variety of performances,” Shehan said. “Singing, spoken word, dance, comedy…I think people who watch and listen will be glad they did.”
There is no admission charge, and instructions on how to view the event can be found on the “Bohemian Night” Facebook page.
Renée Blixt has many years on the Chicagoland scene.
Renée has played for crowds ranging in size from 6 to 60,000 people, and at venues from churches to bars to stages and stadiums. She is an accomplished pianist, as well as vocalist.
She will serve as mistress of ceremonies for Bohemian Night, and she will perform.
“We’re well suited to put this together,” Blixt said. “With my background in entertainment and his in tech, I think it will work quite well.”
Also on the bill is Lemon Knife, a Chicago-based hard rock duo pulling from classic rock, punk, garage rock, and anything built on riffs to create a melodic and eclectic sound that is remarkably big for being put out by two people.
Formed by "kindred nerds" Mia Blixt-Shehan (bass, melodic vocals, occasional guitar, musical composition) and John Retterer-Moore (drums, punk vocals, lyrics) in the spring of 2017, they have since played an especially varied assortment of Chicago venues, including Burlington Bar, Reggie’s, Crown Liquors, Moe’s Tavern, several memorable DIY spots, and a few notable non-traditional gigs at events such as YesFest 2018 in Elmhurst and Chicago’s Global Reddit Meetup Day, also in 2018.
Tracks from their debut album, Songs About Water and Death, have also received considerable radio play by stations such as WKQX’s Demo 312, WIIT, and WRSE. They released a history– based conceptual EP, In Our Darkest Sour, in October 2018, and their second full-length album, I Know That This is Vitriol, in December 2019. They are currently working on their third album, a concept album taking place in the mythological realm of Purgatory.
Also scheduled to perform is Kyle Strong, keyboardist for Think Floyd USA, a tribute band that honors the music of Pink Floyd.
Also on the bill is comedian Tom Simmons, a self-described contrarian and 21-year veteran of stand-up comedy.
He has travelled on national tours, headlined comedy-clubs, won comedy festival awards and made numerous TV appearances on major networks including Comedy Central, Showtime, BET, Bounce TV, Comedy.TV, Laughs on FOX, and COMICS Unleashed.
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