You heard right. After many orchestra-free years, the universe will once again be subject to the dulcet tones of the full Viper and His Famous Orchestra band: Riley Broach, Ryan Jerving, Edward Burch, and Rob Henn, representing four cities and three states. But most of all representing downstate Illinois.

We have at least 5 shows set up at the moment, the most public of which are the following:

• Sunday, July 12, at the Great Performers of Illinois Festival 2009, at Millennium Park (stage T.B.A.), 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, Illinois, 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m. The show is free and will feature a special set from Edward Burch, flown in like a secessionist lobster from Texas. For more, see the event announcement the event announcement on the Millennium Park site
• Friday, August 7, 2009, Mike ‘N Molly’s , 105 N Market St., Champaign, Illinois, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
  See Mike ‘N Molly’s
• Friday, August 9, 2009, Mike ‘N Molly’s, special matinee show, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. You know, for kids.

It looks like the July show, and likely the August shows, will feature an expanded version of the orchestra, with Tangleweed’s Kip Rainey and Rectangle’s Victor Cortez filling out the sound. Other special guests have been promised and will be delivered. Let’s hear it for all the great performers of Illinois.

And there will be new material! So if you’ve worn out your copies of Everything for Everyone and A Song for All Seasons, take heart.