The word on the street is that the Blind Swine Speakeasy is back with another unforgettable evening on Saturday, August 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Don’t stall, fill the tank, grab your best gal or favorite pal, and motor on over to the building that, 100 years ago, opened its doors as Macomb Motor Co. Today it’s known as the Western Illinois Museum (WIM), but for one night, we’re turning back the clock to the Roaring Twenties.
As always, you’ll need the secret password to slip through the “back door” (WIM’s south entrance) before joining the festivities. Doors and bar service open at 6:00 p.m., with a $5 suggested donation to keep the good times rolling.
Back by popular demand after a 2021 performance at WIM, the Ivas John Band returns, led by Ivas’s masterful guitar work and baritone voice. His effortless style weaves together blues, swing, country, and jazz, showcased through both intricate fingerstyle and soulful slide guitar work. Ivas John is sure to deliver another unforgettable performance.
Step back to 1926, when speakeasies and automobile dealerships were all the rage. That was the year the building at 201 S. Lafayette Street welcomed customers for the first time as Macomb Motors Co., a Ford dealership representing the exciting future of transportation. Replacing an earlier carriage shop, the brick building — now home to the Western Illinois Museum — stands as a reminder of how quickly life changed as people traded horses for horsepower.
The evening offers plenty of historical adventures, from imagining what it was like to purchase your very first automobile, to learning to drive, navigating muddy country roads, and deciding where your newfound freedom could take you. Along the way, you’ll examine artifacts and discover how the automobile transformed everyday life across rural Illinois.
Whether you’re a grease monkey, a Sunday driver, or simply looking for a swell night out, the Blind Swine Speakeasy promises live music, cold drinks, local history, and plenty of chances for a roaring good time.
Want in? Text SWINE to 309-837-2613 for the secret password (it changes each event to keep the feds guessing). Slip the gatekeeper at the south door your suggested $5 donation, and you’re in. Don’t be a flat tire, join the fun!
This program is supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council. Housing for the artists has been generously provided by Preston and Kayleigh Gray through their Corner Cottage Airbnb in Macomb.
The Western Illinois Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County. Located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, just one block south of the Courthouse Square, the Museum offers exhibits, live music, and community 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 info@wimuseum.org.
***Courtesy of the Western Illinois Museum***
