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José Gobbo and Ana Oliveira at The Blind Swine
September 13, 2024 @ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Western Illinois Museum is excited to announce the next Blind Swine Speakeasy, set for Friday, September 13th. Guests are invited to sip some giggle juice while exploring the 1920s craze for the flying machine, all to the live tunes of guitarist José Gobbo and vocalist Ana Oliveira. This three-hour event promises a journey through Macomb’s aviation history, accompanied by the vibrant rhythms of Brazilian culture that may inspire some lively dancing. Doors and the bar open at 5:30 pm, with two sets of live music at 6:30 and 7:30 pm.
The 1920s are often referred to as the golden age of flight. The skies buzzed with air races, as spectators on the ground witnessed daring, record-setting feats. During this era, airplanes evolved from wood-and-fabric biplanes to streamlined metal monoplanes, and as the military embraced air power, the skyways were forever changed.
Air travel also connected cultures, and influenced the sounds of music. In 1920s America, the rich tones of Samba gained popularity. Guest musicians José Gobbo and Ana Oliveira will bring their 21st-century interpretations of these melodies, guaranteed to get everyone on their feet and dancing.
But the night offers more than just music. Guests can enjoy a screening of the 1926 silent film Flying Ace, explore the latest in paper airplane technology, participate in a thrilling air race, and learn about the history of aviation in west-central Illinois.
To enter the speakeasy, guests must use the back door—and don’t forget the secret password! A suggested donation of $5, or a “fin,” is encouraged to support the band. Once inside, patrons can enjoy a (now legal) drink at the bar while soaking in the atmosphere of a bygone era.
About the Musical Guests José Gobbo & Ana Oliveira
Ana Oliveira is a musical theater actress and singer who has been performing in the United States since 2019. After moving to Chicago in 2020, Ana reconnected with the music of her home country, Brazil. For three years, she developed projects in Chicago with incredible artists from the Brazilian community. In 2023, Ana moved to Macomb to pursue her BFA in Musical Theater Performance at Western Illinois University (WIU). However, her passion for Brazilian music remained strong, leading her to join guitarist José Gobbo to perform Brazilian Bossa Novas and sambas alongside American standards.
Brazilian guitarist José Gobbo is renowned for performances in cities across the USA and Brazil. His debut album, “Zé,” released in 2013, featured legendary multi-instrumentalist Roberto Sion. He regularly performs with the Brad Wheeler Quartet and the Chip Stephens Organ Trio, which opened for a Steely Dan concert and recorded the album “Transgressions” in 2019. In 2020, he co-founded The House Trio with Ben Taylor and Nikola Djokic, which performed 52 consecutive weekly live streams on their YouTube Channel and recorded the album “Live from Home,” showcasing ten of José’s original compositions. He has performed as a featured guest artist at Southeast Missouri State University, Belmont University, Millikin University, Western Illinois University, University of Iowa, State University of Campinas (Brazil), and Federal University of Uberlandia (Brazil). Visit his website for more information at https://josegobbomusic.com/
This program is funded in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the Illinois Humanities Council.
The Western Illinois Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and nurturing the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County. As a vibrant community hub, the Museum features exhibits, an open collection area, lectures, music, and other programs in a historic building. The Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square, and is fully accessible.
A full schedule of events can be found at wimuseum.org. For further information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email info@wimuseum.org.
Upcoming Dates for the 2024 Blind Swine Series
- Friday, September 27th: The Irish, Italians, and Bohunks: Immigration in the 1920s with music by the Irish band Turas
- Friday, October 11th: The New Macomb Woman: Work, Fitness, and Beauty Ideals of the 1920s with music by EmiSunshine
- Friday, October 25th: What’s Playing at the Illinois Theater? Radio & Film of the Prohibition Era with music by Gina DeGregorio and Paul Asaro