D.C. Bellamy

If you see D.C. Bellamy (known for popularizing Memphis Slim’s “If You See Kay”) before March 8, keep him away from this paper. Spill his coffee, perform a distracting interpretive dance, dive onto the newsprint as if it were a live grenade and you were a selfless hero — anything to keep Bellamy from learning that on his 55th birthday, his regular Monday night gig at Club Paradox will be anything but ordinary. Bobby Rush, a blues giant from Bellamy’s hometown of Chicago, headlines a formidable list of imported talent that also includes Melvin Smith (of Koko Taylor’s band) and Billy Always (who’s played with Aretha Franklin, among others). The always entertaining and enthusiastic Bellamy should be in fine, frenetic form, especially if no one spoils the surprise.