Previous events

Cathie and Tim are looking forward to being back at Cary's. They make you feel at home, everyone there is so nice, the place is seeping in artwork, there's an incredible mask collection, a beautiful patio in the back and an art gallery upstairs! Please come by for a friendly, intimate experience (with amazing sound). Free show, tips greatly appreciated!

The best volunteer-run arts and music fest in the city! Lineup to come. The Menards play on Saturday, August 26.

In August, the ELO tribute returns, featuring the Flying Nowakowski Brothers and other special guests. DO. NOT. MISS. Stay tuned for details! Listen to the Brothers' originals here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lSQgKPaiI2KjDjB0hY39a

Full band on the patio! Enjoy refreshing beverages (try the frozen Paloma!) and delicious food from Babygold BBQ. We'll have coloring pages and crayons for the kids (of all ages), free stickers, CDs and t-shirts. Free show, tips greatly appreciated! Photo by A Shot of Honk Tonk: https://ashotofhonkytonk.com/home

Andon Davis & Tim Menard are "Puttin' on the Gretsch" on the FitzGerald's Patio — honoring the mighty Gretsch guitar — with Jim O'Donnell, Kevin James on bass and Paul Bivans on drums. Let's get our twang on. #whammyforthewin

Andon Davis & Tim Menard are "Puttin' on the Gretsch" — honoring the mighty Gretsch guitar, with special guests. Stay tuned for more details.

Indie/Alternative women-led rock by diverse artists from the 80s through today. Personnel: Mary Jo Costello: Vocals | Phil Costello: Bass, Backing Vocals | Tim Menard: Guitar, Backing Vocals | Frank Sassetti: Drums | Free show, tips greatly appreciated!

Join Tim on the third Friday of every month for originals and carefully curated covers — this month featuring Rich Klevgard and These Peaches! Listen to their music here: https://thesepeaches.bandcamp.com/album/almost-heard-the-ocean Free show, tips greatly appreciated!

Full band on the patio! Enjoy refreshing beverages (try the frozen Paloma!) and delicious food from Babygold BBQ. We'll have coloring pages and crayons for the kids (of all ages), free stickers, and — NEW TO US, MERCH! — t-shirts! Wow, that's a lot of exclamation points. I guess we're excited as always to be back on the patio with you all.

We're honored to be playing again at this amazing festival. Tickets are sold out for all four days. See all the lineups here: https://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/american-music-fest/

This Saturday, I’ll be joined by Gabe Stutz on Pedal Steel at Cary’s Lounge from 4-7p.m.

Join me this Friday, St. Paddy’s day, when my guests will be Jennifer Baron-Fishman and Cathie Van Wert Menard. We’ll be playing some Irish tunes and more. Show starts at 9. No cover.

We’re thrilled to be featured as the Saturday matinee this month at the Golden Dagger!

Enjoy Happy Hour specials: $5 PBR Draft, $5 Bloody Marys, Sangria & Mimosas, $2 off Mystic Margarita. And

About the Golden Dagger: Golden Dagger is your home for coffee, live music, cocktails and a safe space for all members of our artist community. With brand new bi-fold windows, open-air cafe work space, we are excited to offer our services to the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Updated vaccination & mask policy: all guests that plan to stay on site are required to be fully vaccinated . You can show your physical vaccination card, a copy of your card, an email confirmation of your vaccination or a photo of your card at the door or to our baristas/bartenders. Your name or birth date must match your valid government-issued id. Masks are required for all patrons while on site. You must wear a mask when speaking to staff or artists. Please respect our space and our staff while we continue to navigate the pandemic.

Photo by #Musenpet

Andon Davis, Tim Menard and Jim O'Donnell come together to honor the almighty Gretsch, backed by the astounding Paul Bivans and Michael Krayniak. Do. Not. Miss.

Come on out for music, drinks, & friendly conversation at Chicago's #1 dog-friendly neighborhood bar! Hungry? Try the delicious food from Pasta Al Gusto next door — you can order right from your table at Lizard's and enjoy a 10% discount. Hope to see you!

Cathie and Tim are excited to be playing at Sketchbook for the first time! Family friendly and no cover, hit the tip jar to support local musicians.

Sketchbook’s Skokie taproom & brewery features over a dozen beers on tap, a spacious taproom, and an expansive dog-friendly patio & beer garden. Skokie Sketchbook also houses the main production brewery. Pull up a seat at the bar, grab a table, play some shuffleboard or foosball, or comfy up in the lounge area furnished by Swantiques.

The taproom features a variety of beers on tap, so there’s something for everyone: including Pilsners, lagers, IPAs, hazy IPAs, Belgians, stouts, saisons, Berliner-weiss, fruited sours, and barrel-aged varieties. Guests are welcome to enjoy or pint or try a flight, and the staff is always eager to offer suggestions and tasting notes. We also have gluten free (GF) cider and nonalcoholic (NA) kombucha on tap, and cans of soda and lemonade offer some family friendly options.

The Skokie taproom partners with local restaurants for food pop-ups every weekend, and guests are always welcome to bring your own (BYO) food or order in. Chips, pretzels, and pizza from Candelite are available for purchase.

This Friday please join Tim, Cathie and Gabe for our last First Friday Happy Hour of 2022 on the patio (weather permitting)! Let’s kick off the weekend together. Enjoy the lovely patio vibe, refreshing beverages and delicious food from BabyGold BBQ! Kids and well-behaved dogs welcome. If weather isn’t cooperative, we’ll be in the Sidebar.

Please save the date for Friday, November 4 when the full band returns to the FitzGerald’s Sidebar every First Friday from 5-7.

Join The Menards every first Friday from 5 – 6pm for Happy Hour on the Patio! Classic cocktails. Juke joint atmosphere. Traditional American BBQ by Babygold Barbecue. Let's kick off the month in style!

It's BAAAACK! Our favorite festival of all, Bucktown Arts Fest! Here's the lineup for both the Main and Jazz stages next weekend. Both days feature fantastic acts, with lots of variety (Main Stage curated by volunteer Rob Brookman), and The Menards will be closing out the fest at 5:15 on Sunday. The BAF has something for everyone, and it's 100% volunteer-run.

The Menards Duo (Cathie and Tim) will keep the party going in the lovely garden area outside our favorite Bucktown bar! Then, go home and get a good night’s rest and come back for Bucktown Arts Fest Day Two!

Join us to celebrate the fabulous volunteers that make the Bucktown Arts Fest the best fest in the city. Featuring music by James Wagner & Brian Wilkie, and Cathie Van Wert & Tim Menard. FREE SHOW! We also hope to see you at the Bucktown Arts Fest in Holstein Park on 8/27 & 8/28 from 11:00 - 7:00 - free fest, with fun for the whole family!