You just might want to mosey around to the south door on Saturday, November 15th, about 6:00 p.m. Give the door a tap, whisper the password, and slip inside where the Blind Swine Speakeasy is serving up giggle water for those in the know. At 6:30 p.m., the notorious duo, Sally Weisenburg and Don Berbaum with drummer Mike Grimm, will have the joint jumpin’ with two swell sets of toe-tappin’ tunes.
Back in the Roaring Twenties, Americans were finding new ways to cut loose. Time-saving gadgets at home and a growing focus on health gave folks more room for leisure. The freedom “to go somewhere” was made possible by the automobile, opening the road for visiting pals, vacationing, or just stepping out for a joyride. With this new mobility came innovations that made travel just swell: drive-in restaurants, chain eateries, car radios, snappy sunglasses, and instant cameras that let people capture the fun. Of course, more jalopies meant more traffic, and that’s when inventions like traffic lights, car registration, and driver’s licenses kept the roads safe and people busted.
The Museum’s old garage is the tops for exploring how the automobile transformed our rural community, bringing fresh opportunities, new businesses, and plenty of visitors. And on this night, it’s also the cat’s meow for a little leisure of our own. Sally’s sultry vocals and smooth keyboard, paired with Don’s slick guitar and harmonica, along with Mike Grimm keeping the beat, will fill the space with soulful sounds, making this an evening you won’t want to miss.
Want in? Text Swine to 309-837-2613 for the ever-changing secret password (keeps the feds guessing). Slip the gatekeeper at the south door a fin ($5), and you’re in.
This program is supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council.
The Western Illinois Museum is a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County. Located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of the Courthouse Square, the Museum offers exhibits, live music, and programs in a fully accessible historic building.
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit wimuseum.org, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email
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About the Musicians
Sally Weisenburg and Don Berbaum have been partners in both life and music since the mid-1970s. Originally from the St. Louis area, Sally moved to Peoria, Illinois, in 1976 to join Don’s band. Today, the duo lives near Rushville, Illinois, and performs an eclectic mix of blues, soul, jazz, country, standards, rock, Latin, surf, and original music. Sally’s spectacular vocals take center stage, supported by Don’s expressive guitar and harmonica playing, along with Sally’s own skillful work on keyboard and keyboard bass. Together, they create a rich, soulful sound that captivates audiences.
Michael “Mike” Grimm is a soulful drummer and audio professional whose East Peoria–based pro sound company supports local and touring talent. He brings decades of experience to his dual roles as Front-of-House engineer for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Production Manager for the legendary comedian Gary Mule Deer, a collaboration spanning roughly twelve years. Mike’s truest calling is his deep, soulful groove whose rhythm, heart, and humor enrich every performance.
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