The Flecktones want you to sign up for the Centerstage contest.
Last December, music fans of all stripes gathered at the Congress Theater for the first-ever Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest, a day-long concert featuring big names like The Avett Brothers and David Grisman. Due to the impressive response, we're getting round two in a few weeks. This year's event offers another solid lineup, including Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Dr. Dog, Emmitt-Nershi Band and Van Ghost, as well as 50-plus vendor booths, live improv, film screenings and more.
Tickets for the event are $35 (free for kids 12 and under), but Centerstage is giving away four pairs of passes for free! To enter the contest by December 4, head here.
Mickey Mouse leads the holiday procession on Saturday.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival All day Saturday along the Magnificent Mile; free
Let the holiday season begin! Mickey Mouse leads the parade of floats down Michigan Avenue as more than 1 million lights are illuminated to kick off the season. There will be music all day at the Harris Stage (401 N. Michigan Ave.) including Plain White T's at 3 p.m. There's also a fireworks display over the river starting at 7 p.m. Need some help getting into the holiday spirit? Check out our holiday guide.
The Addams Family opens this weekend at the Oriental Theatre. (Jean Lachat/Sun-Times) The Addams Family 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre; $28-$105
Catch the first family of goth as this much-acclaimed musical makes a brief stop in Chicago (it runs through January 13) before heading to Broadway. There's much to be excited about with the show, opening Friday: It is based on the New Yorker cartoons, not the campy '60s TV show (or the goofy movies of the '90s); Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth play Gomez and Morticia (cada mia!); and Andrew Lippa is in charge of the music. No word on if he got any help from Hammer.
Every January, Schubas invites music fans to explore cutting-edge indie music in its annual Tomorrow Never Knows series. Think of it as a loosely packed, five-day-long Pitchfork Music Festival.
Well, for those of you hoping for more of the same this year, we've got some news: it won't be. Instead of five days of music at a single venue, you'll get it at two venues: Schubas and the newly opened Lincoln Hall is also getting in on the action.
The dates (Jan. 13-17) and initial lineup for the series were announced today, and single-show tickets and five-day passes go on sale Friday, November 13 at noon. Here's a taste of what's in store:
Wednesday, January 13
9 p.m.: The Cribs, Adam Green, The Dead Trees (Lincoln Hall)
Thursday, January 14
9 p.m.: Voxtrot, Solid Gold, Gemini Club (Lincoln Hall)
Saturday, January 16
2 p.m.: Paul Green's School of Rock presents Women Who Rock (Schubas)
10 p.m.: Final Fantasy (Schubas)
10 p.m.: Bowerbirds, The Rural Alberta Advantage (Lincoln Hall)
Sunday, January 17
2 p.m.: Paul Green's School of Rock presents Women Who Rock (Schubas)
9 p.m.: Clues (Schubas)
9 p.m.: Lee Fields & The Expressions (Lincoln Hall)
Artwork by Sergei Isupov looks over Navy Pier's Festival Hall during SOFA setup Wednesday. (Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
SOFA Chicago Through Sunday at Navy Pier; $15-$25
Celebrating its 16th year, the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair hits Navy Pier's Festival Hall to present work from top international galleries and dealers. Check out the opening night preview gala on Thursday ($50) to get a first glimpse at the show's best work. Hors d'oeurves and wine are included. Tickets for the rest of the show are $15 a day, or $25 for a three-day pass. Get them here or at the door. More: Check out the Sun-Times' SOFA photo gallery.
Apparently, we weren't the only ones who heard a whole lotta grumbling about some of the choices made for this past summer's Lollapalooza lineup. Fest organizers were listening, and now they want you to back up your words. Until November 10, you can suggest artists for the 2010 fest (August 6-8) on the website. It's up to you whether you want to use your allotted five choices on obscure indie bands (like your own) or big-name hip-hop artists. This may just be a ploy so that Perry can pull out the ol' "if you didn't vote, you can't complain" excuse next summer, but it's worth a shot.
After a weekend full of low-brow debauchery (and isn't that what Halloween is all about?), you're likely craving some culture. As luck would have it, two appropriately avant-garde events are on the slate for this week: the Umbrella Music Festival and the Outer Ear Festival of Sound. While you won't have to choose between the two, we thought we'd take a moment to lay out the key aspects of each. After all, if there's one thing you arty types appreciate, it's straightforward Microsoft Word tables...right?
The Rocky Horror Show 8 p.m., through Saturday at the Athenaeum Theatre; $20
Do the Time Warp (again!) at this live theater production of the musical cult classic, with shows running through Halloween night. Dress up as your favorite character (and who wouldn't take the opportunity to emulate Meat Loaf as much as possible?), but leave the props at home. There are special goodie bags you can buy at the theater to join in on the action.
The Holy Hour House Band performs at The Kerryman.
Yesterday's news that the city may cancel or shorten several of its biggest summer festivals came as something of a shock, even if it makes good fiscal sense. Seriously, if the 50-year-old Venetian Night can be chopped, is nothing sacred?
You'd better have a backup plan to get your fest fix. We're not sure where else you can go to see boats loaded up with lights, but we do know of two upcoming ways to dull the blow in case (god forbid) the Celtic Fest is ever sent back to the Emerald Isle.
One: Magners Irish Sessions. This series of concerts sponsored by Magners Irish Cider, which began last month, features the city's best known traditional Irish musicians playing songs in intimate settings (plus, lots of cider). Upcoming events:
Friday, October 23: The Holy Hour House Band, 9-11 p.m. at Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th, Oak Forest
Thursday, October 29: Danny Burns and The Defectors, 8-10 p.m. at Mystic Celt
Friday, October 30: Danny Burns and The Defectors, 9-11 p.m. at Hidden Shamrock
Thursday, November 5: Danny Burns and The Defectors, 8-11 p.m. at Abbey Pub
Two: iBAM!. Did you know the Celtic New Year is coming up soon? Celebrate it with three days of books, arts and music at the Irish American Heritage Center.
It starts with a $100 black-tie-optional dinner (6-11 p.m.) on Friday, October 30, with entertainment from the likes of Malachy McCourt and Black 47. On Saturday and Sunday, the fun continues, with a $5 admission fee getting you access to book sales, panel discussions, live dance, theater and more (11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily). Because it is Halloween weekend, expect a costume parade, face painting and a presentation on the life of Bram Stoker (writer of Dracula). You'll need to pay a little extra for access to the full Irish breakfast (11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday) and concerts from Black 47 (7 p.m. Saturday) and Maura O'Connell (7 p.m. Sunday). Tickets are available on the website.
Riot Fest Through Sunday, various theaters, prices vary ($70 for a three-day pass to Congress Theater)
Several rockin' shows (not to mention a bowling tourney) are spread out across five venues (Congress Theater, Metro, Subterranean, Double Door, Cobra Lounge) during this fifth-annual fest. We're talking mosh-inducing rock and punk including Chicago's own Screeching Weasel, NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Naked Raygun and more. Oi!
Remember the classic Camper Van Beethoven song, "Take the Skinheads Bowling"? The organizers of this year's fifth annual Riot Fest do, and they're taking the directive to heart.
In addition to the fest's strong lineup of punk acts (performers include Screeching Weasel, Alkaline Trio, Naked Raygun, NOFX and more), there will be a "Drunken Bowling Tournament" on Friday and Saturday night at the Fireside Bowl. Members of many of the bands will be hitting the lanes for some friendly competition with the fans.
Registration for bowlers appears to be closed, but it'll cost just $3 to join the fun as a spectator. You'll get drink specials, giveaways, and the chance to see a hardcore dude use bumper lanes. The tournament starts at 10:30 p.m. on both nights, so you won't have to miss any of the shows.
Svengoolie will be among the spooky stars at this weekend's Ghost Conference.(photo via myspace.com/svengoolie26)
Chicago Ghost Conference 5-11 p.m. Friday and 8:30 p.m.-midnight Saturday; Portage Theater; $50 for a two-day pass
Join paranormal experts and speakers for this annual event about all things otherworldly. This year's speakers include Lorraine Warren from A&E's "Paranormal State" and Jeff Belanger, paranormal author and creator of Ghostvillage.com, who join members of paranormal groups from around the country to educate, inform, network, share ideas and entertain others that are fascinated with the supernatural. If that's not enough, Chicago legend Svengoolie makes an appearance on Friday night.
8 Bold Souls are among the many jazz acts performing on Saturday.(Photo: via www.aacmchicago.org)
Hyde Park Jazz Festival Saturday in Hyde Park; free
This 14-hour, multi-venue event is like a marathon for music fans, and, like any long race, the true rewards are near the finish line, with exciting performers like 8 Bold Souls, Garaj Mahal and Dee Alexander. Remember to pace yourself and stay hydrated as you travel to unlikely music spots like the International House of Chicago, Hyde Park Bank and Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center.
Dirty Sanchez and his pals are sure to put on an entertaining show on Friday.
Lucha Va Voom 8:30 p.m. Friday at Congress Theater, $25-$60
If you like your Mexican midget wrestling with a splash of skin (and who doesn't?) this event is for you. Top-ranked luchadoritos battle it out in the ring while scantily clad burlesque dancers provide entertainment between matches. Now that's what we call entertainment.
The Blacks reunite at Saturday's Bloodshot Beer-B-Q.(photo via bloodshotrecords.com)
Bloodshot Records 15th Anniversary Beer-B-Q noon Saturday at Hideout; $10
Ok, so there's no Hideout Block Party this year. Done crying yet? Good. Because the popular fest's replacement ain't so shabby: local (and nationally acclaimed) alt-country label Bloodshot Records will celebrate its 15th anniversary with an all-day "Beer-B-Q". The lineup is predictably strong and diverse; along with the more high-profile appearances from Alejandro Escovedo and The Waco Brothers, we're excited for the reunion of The Blacks, whose two albums rank, for us, among Bloodshot's finest releases to date. There will also be food from Honky Tonk Barbecue, an art show, kids' area and more. Sounds like a fest to us.
We may be competing with Rio for the 2016 Olympics, but that doesn't mean us Chicagoans should ignore Brazil's Independence Day (September 7) -- especially when it's a great chance to get some sweet food and drink. SushiSamba Rio is celebrating throughout this weekend with a special menu including braised pork belly a la pancha ($15), casquinha se siri (stuffed blue crab, palmito and acai vinaigrette, $17) and an Amazon roll (alligator tempura, smoked soy, chiles and bacon farofa, $18).
Come Sunday, guests can enjoy performances from samba dancers and live drummers at 7, 8 and 9 p.m., as well as sample the Sambista (Leblon Cachaca, Strawberry-Cinnamon "Conserva," sweet basil and pop rocks).
It's ok -- on Tuesday, you can go back to chanting "Let Friendship Shine."
African Festival of the Arts All day Friday-Monday, Washington Park (51st and Cottage Grove), $5-10 or $30 for a weekend pass
The 20th installment of this immensely popular South Side festival finishes with a bang as the "Godfather of Funk" himself, George Clinton, headlines on Monday. Leading up to that, check out acts like The Pharcyde and Booker T. Jones (Saturday), Ahmad Jamaal and the Soukous Stars (Sunday). There's also a kids tent and a food court with traditional African fare.
Michael Jackson Birthday Tribute Friday at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
While everyone else has been busy honoring the King of Pop's death, Kit Kat takes a night to celebrate his birth and life. The evening will feature Kit Kat's "Diva" Traci Ross, performing as both Michael and Janet Jackson, along with special appearances by Michael's "friends" Liza Minnelli and Liz Taylor. Kit Kat's "Black & White" martinis are $5, and the first 50 guests will receive a limited edition Kit Kat/MJ sparkled glove.
Last week, Chicago’s greenest and most eco-curious citizens came together for the Green Carpet Gala at District Bar. With regular gatherings like Green Drinks and events at Uncommon Ground, Chicago is no stranger to environmental networking. But this landmark event also served as a preview of and fundraiser for Carbon Day (September 15), a day set aside to raise awareness about easy, simple ways to reduce environmental impact in everyday life.
Gala guests sipped organic Rain vodka, munched on ratatouille skewers, networked with other like-minded individuals and shopped wares from local eco companies I Pledge Eco apparel and Koru Street accessories. Most notably, there were two screenings of the yet-to-be-released "No Impact Man" documentary and a funky electric and solar vehicle to check out. You can expect all this and more at next month's Carbon Day Festival in Lincoln Park.
Juice Williams is great, but he's not the only reason to head downstate this fall. The Pygmalion Music Festival hits Champaign-Urbana (the home of Parasol Records, Polyvinyl Records and REO Speedwagon, among others) for the fifth year September 16-19, and it's got an expanded lineup this year, with 15 venues hosting over 100 performers, including Iron & Wine, RJD2, Lucero, Low and The Books. You know what 15 venues means, don't you? No porta-potties.
Now that we've got you interested, check out the full schedule after the jump. Since we know how much you love to support local acts, we've starred the Chicago acts for you. Festival passes start at $60.
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