Aya Ito at Sol Blu on Friday
IRON MOUNTAIN — Multi-genre vocalist and songwriter Aya Ito of Chicago, a native of Tokyo, Japan, will appear Friday at Sol Blu in Iron Mountain. She will perform from 7 to 10 p.m.
Blazian sensation Ito is a striking songstress with an incredibly amazing sound. The Japanese and Black American singer has been dubbed a force of nature.
As an artist, Ito has fused her talents of singing and playing the guitar and piano while also incorporating her trilingual abilities — English, Spanish and Japanese — into her art.
She has toured the U.S. and Japan, performing in many venues that have attracted a huge following. For many years, this standout has been wowing crowds with her spirited performances and dynamic sound. She also released her debut EP, “Just Might,” in December 2022. Multiple songs from this EP have been played on radio stations internationally.
With her new single, “Machine,” Ito promotes female empowerment through her lyrics and strong belting vocals. The symbolism of being a machine can be felt by the strength in her voice. The song conveys the perseverance, strength, confidence, and ambition women need to not be deterred from accomplishing what we know we are capable of.
Ito is set to release another new single, “Supermodel,” with a special featured artist this summer.
“Music is something that will always be there for you. There is a song for every mood, emotion, and occasion,” Ito said. “Being someone who creates music means that you can be a person to influence others and help them through whatever they are going through, whether it be having fun at a party, a breakup, a fight with a friend, etc. It’s a great feeling to know that you’ve made an effect on someone’s life, even strangers.”
There is no cover charge.
On Saturday, D.B. Rouse of Milwaukee returns to play his Americana music at Sol Blu starting at 7 p.m.
Other local entertainment:
Sandstone Terrace, Iron Mountain — Today, 141 North of the local area (variety music), 7 to 11 p.m.
Thursday — Todd Wangerin Project with Evan Blagec of the local area (acoustic variety music), starting at 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday — Chasin’ Steel of the Upper Peninsula (bluegrass with rock ‘n’ roll attitude music), 7 to 10 p.m.
Saturday — Bryan Drewyor, the One Human Band of the local area (soul, rock, folk and blues music), 5 to 9 p.m.
Polly’s, Iron Mountain — Today, Mane Event Karaoke (variety music), starting at 8 p.m.
Alpha Circle — Thursday, Fourth of July celebration with Melanie Rose of the local area (variety acoustic music), starting at noon; The DayDreamers of the Marquette area (variety music), starting at 3 p.m.; Fire On High of Green Bay, Wis. (variety music), stating at 6 p.m.
Music in the Square, Goodman, Wis. — Thursday, John Gorgol (acoustic music), starting at 7 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park, Powers — Thursday, Fourth of July Celebration with music by Larry and Cheryl Pepin, followed by Leo G of Powers (variety music), starting at noon.
Island Resort & Casino, Harris — Thursday through Saturday, Thunder Country of Northwest Wisconsin (country music), 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Uncle Mike’s Corner Pub & Grill, Crivitz, Wis. — Thursday, Seth James Trio of Northeast Wisconsin (pop, funk and dance music), starting at 9 p.m.
Friday — Hale and Hall of Green Bay, Wis. (variety acoustic music), starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday — Little Cisco of the Green Bay, Wis., area (rockin’ blues music), starting at noon; Frank Childress and Main Street Band of Wisconsin (guitar rocking blues and country), starting at 7 p.m.
The Blind Walleye, Crivitz, Wis. — Thursday, Bullets & Booze of northeast Wisconsin (classic country music), 6 to 10 p.m.
Saturday — UJ the DJ (variety music), starting at 6 p.m.
Gateway Bar & Grill, Crivitz, Wis. — Thursday, The Blue Rays of the Coleman, Wis. area (classic rock music), starting at 2 p.m.
Friday — Smoke Road of Two Rivers, Wis. (modern country music), 7 to 11 p.m.
Saturday — The Stehleman of Peshtigo, Wis. (variety country music), starting at 3 p.m.
Goodman Fire Hall — Friday, Fireman’s Street Dance with DJ by Audion Entertainment starting at 7 p.m.
Mayme’s, Iron Mountain — Friday, Mane Event Karaoke (variety music), 8 p.m. to midnight.
Round 2, Iron Mountain — Friday, MorningStar Karaoke (variety music), starting at 10:30 p.m.
Four Seasons Island Resort, Pembine, Wis. — Friday, Haley Grace of the northeast Wisconsin area (variety country music), 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday — Mane Event Karaoke (variety music), 6 to 9 p.m.
The Sitzmark in Pine Mountain Ski & Resort, Iron Mountain — Friday, Todd Wangerin of the local area (variety music), 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday — Bryan Drewyor, the One Human Band of the local area (soul, rock, folk and blues music), 6 to 9 p.m.
Pine Grove Bar, Republic — Friday, Troy Graham of Marquette (folk, variety acoustic music), 8 to 11 p.m. Eastern time.
Saturday — Noah Bauer of the Marquette area (variety music), 3 to 6 p.m.; Chad Borgen and The Collective of the Upper Peninsula (fusion of rock and country music), 8 p.m. to midnight Eastern time.
Backwater Bar & Grill, Crivitz, Wis. — Friday, Ken and Kris of the northeast Wisconsin area (country, folk and classic rock), 8 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday — Fine Line of Hobart, Wis. (high-energy ’80s to current rock acoustic music), 7 to 11 p.m.
Woody’s Bar & Grill, Crivitz, Wis. — Friday, The Leftovers of Sheboygan, Wis. (rock music), starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday — Fourth of July Celebration with Stone Sober of Door County, Wis. (bluegrass and rock music), starting at 7 p.m.
The Tavern on Central, Florence, Wis. — Saturday, Florence Street Dance with Just Us band, starting at 6 p.m.
Hermansville Park — Saturday, Fourth of July Celebration with The Peltier Brothers of Bark River (country, classic rock and blues music), 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Alpha Brewing Co., Alpha — Saturday, Them Two of the Upper Peninsula (indie, bluegrass, Americana, country acoustic music), 3 to 6 p.m.
Roadhouse 139, Long Lake, Wis. — Saturday, Kyndrid of the local area (rock music), starting at 5 p.m.
Sunday — Bobby Vintage of northern Wisconsin (classic country music), 1 to 5 p.m.
The Rustic, Athelstane, Wis. — Saturday, Otis Spicoli of the Beaver, Wis., area (variety music), 7 to 11 p.m.
Sunday — Jackie Treehorn Experience of Green Bay, Wis. (variety pop and rock music), 2 to 6 p.m.
Firelane, Athelstane, Wis. — Saturday, Country Rewind of northeast Wisconsin (country music), 2 to 6 p.m.
Marinette County Fairgrounds, Wausaukee — Saturday, Outlaw Junkies of Wisconsin (classic country music), 2 to 5 p.m.; Rapid Transit of northeast Wisconsin (country, classic rock and oldies music), 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Wild Horse Saloon, Iron Mountain — Saturday, Morning Star Karaoke (variety music), starting at 9 p.m.
Every day, rock/country music videos jukebox, played on six big-screen TVs.
The Maxx Entertainment Center, Iron Mountain — Tuesdays, Open jam night, 4 to 9 p.m.
Out to Lunch, downtown stage Iron Mountain — Thursday, July 11, Nashville singer/guitarist Glen Martin (variety of pop favorites), 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Music in the Park, bandshell, Norway — Thursday, July 11, The Descendants of the local area (variety rock music), 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Venue 906, Kingsford — Thursday, July 11, Todd Wangerin of the local area (variety music), doors open at 5 p.m., with music to start at 6 p.m.
Next week:
Bryan Drewyor, the One Human Band at Venue 906, Iron Mountain; The Crowe Family at Music in the Square, Goodman, Wis.; Asphalt Cowboys at Island Resort & Casino, Harris; Melanie Rose and Govern at The Four Seasons Island Resort, Pembine, Wis.; Jim Counter at Roadhouse 139, Long Lake, Wis.; MorningStar Karaoke at Wild Horse Saloon, Iron Mountain; Paul Saudan and Bryan Drewyor, the One Human Band at Alpha Brewing Co., Alpha; Higher Love Summer Jubilee at Pine Grove Bar, Republic; Safe Sax and Mane Event Karaoke at Pine Mountain Resort, Iron Mountain; DJ Lance at Uncle Mike’s Corner Pub & Grill, Crivitz, Wis.; Old Skool at The Blind Walleye, Crivitz, Wis.; Acoustic Mayhem at Country Roads Bar & Grill, Wausaukee, Wis.; The Mix at The Rustic, Athelstane, Wis.; Paris Nights at Amberg Pub, Amberg, Wis.
Compiled by Terri Castelaz, staff writer at The Daily News.