The south door of WIM’s old garage just might be your entry to the Blind Swine Speakeasy on Saturday, May 16th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The doors and the bar open at 6:00 pm if you have the password. Providing the soundtrack for the evening, Pippi & Daniel and their band deliver live music that will get your toes tapping. Their soulful vocals and blend of jazz and R&B will be featured in two lively sets beginning at 6:30 p.m.

At this hush-hush gathering, the spectacle of 1920s baseball takes center stage, as a crowd of loyal bugs and rooters celebrates the game, the players, and the thrill of competition that became a national obsession and sparked local rivalries.

Speakeasies offered more than hooch; they were gathering joints where fans hashed out the latest sporting news and, now and then, laid a little something on the line. Some say gambling was at the root of the Black Sox scandal, when eight players were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series. Throughout the evening, guests can take a gander at baseball artifacts from WIM’s collection, mull over this “game-changing” chapter in the sport’s history and its connection to Macomb, and enjoy live music and a now-legal beverage.

Decide for yourself if the 1919 World Series was on the up and up, and whether the Black Sox players had a hand in it, and why. The stakes are high, and the odds are anyone’s guess at the Macomb Fairgrounds, where you can step into the world of hometown baseball leagues and get wise to how Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ed Cicotte, and Swede Risberg found themselves in what came to be known as the Game of the Year.

The Blind Swine ain’t just another night on the town, it’s the bee’s knees, where the jazz is jumpin’, the stories are hummin’, and the history of baseball is in full swing. Get the password, step inside where history, high spirits, and a lively crowd mix into an unforgettable 1920s affair.

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 a fin ($5), and you’re in. Don’t be a flat tire, join the fun!

This program is supported in part by the Two Rivers Arts Council.

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.

 
About Pippi & Daniel with The Experience

Described by JazzPolice.com as “a cross between Cassandra Wilson and a hurricane,” Pippi Ardennia is one of the most dynamic and versatile vocalists of her generation, known for a commanding stage presence and an ability to draw audiences into each song. She has performed nationwide—from Chicago nightclubs to concert stages in New York, California, and Minnesota—and collaborated with acclaimed artists including Herb Alpert, George Freeman, Von Freeman, Bobby Broom, André Fischer, and Freddy Hubbard, who remarked, “There’s only one Pippi, and she makes you feel it.” Critics consistently note her “big, soulful voice” and her range as a storyteller who brings depth and cohesion to every performance.

Keyboardist, vocalist, and arranger Daniel Leahy brings equal versatility, with a career spanning film, television, radio, and international events. He has performed with major figures such as Louie Bellson, Clark “Mumbles” Terry, Dave Hoffman, Hampton Hawes, and James Morrison. Known for his clarity, harmonic sensibility, and inventive interpretations, Leahy’s work balances technical precision with expressive depth.

They are joined by The Experience: Dick Mathias (saxophones, flute, clarinet), Dave Plunk (bass), Dave “Stix” Sherrard (drums), Scott Grulke (percussion), and vocalists Lora Wright, Becky Fleisher, and Bobby Dillard—an ensemble that brings both energy and nuance to a rich, genre-spanning sound.

 
Media Contacts:
Sue Scott, Western Illinois Museum
Phone: 309-837-2750, Text: 309-837-2613
Email: info@wimuseum.org
Website: wimuseum.org
Social Media: @wimuseum