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The CHIRP Blog
Kelsey Phillips writesThe Green Music Fest Is This Weekend, and CHIRP Will Be There!
Craft beer. Eco-friendly vendors. Free bike parking. Craft beer (yes I said it twice). Live music. The quintessential Chicago summer festival. This weekend (June 22nd/23rd), Wicker Park will once again fence itself off from traffic and open it's gates for some great live music and environmentally-sustainable shopping.
The Green Music Fest, on Damen Ave. between North and Schiller, reflects the environmentally-conscious community it is located in, throwing local retailers, crafters, food vendors, and of course, beer brewers alongside some great live music. The festival's Green Initiative includes a mission to connect eco-conscious Chicagoans with these environmentally sustainable products and services, all the while giving the city the kind of weekend festival it has come to know and love. You'll find everything from biodiesel generators, compostable food service disposable items, and free bike parking.
The bands are nothing to scoff at either; with two stages and plenty of local acts, you can see anyone from Manchester Orchestra on Saturday to Talking Heads tribute band This Must Be The Band on Sunday (check the website for a full lineup). There's a $5 suggested donation, and festivities start both days at noon and end at 10 pm. Hop on your bike and head over!
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday 06/21 to Thursday 06/27
(Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday June 21
Red Tail Ring
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Reckless Life- Guns N Roses Tribute Band
Abbey Pub 10:30pm, 21+
Sonny & The Sunsets, Little Wings, Temporary Pharaohs
Beat Kitchen 9pm
The Maine
Bottom Lounge 5:30pm
Souls of Mischief
Bottom Lounge 9pm
The Van Goghs, Eddie Franks, More Gorgeous, Vanarays, Diana Lawrence
Double Door 8pm, 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm 21+
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday David Thomas Edition
It’s time to wish a happy birthday to the man once known as Crocus Behemoth. David Thomas helped found the short lived but extremely important proto-punk band Rocket From The Tombs, and once they split, formed Pere Ubu, the self-proclaimed avant-garage band. With the large and oddly compelling front man whose quavering high voice somehow was perfect for an ultra-arty take on rock tropes, Pere Ubu has been making important music over five decades. From spooky to rocking to pretty darn catchy (the band’s Cloudland album is one of the great pop albums of the ‘80s), Thomas has managed to put his stamp on everything he’s done. And he’s had some nifty side projects too. In honor of Thomas, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Kelsey Phillips writesTime for the 6 Corners BBQ Fest!
You all know the intersection. For the third year in a row, Chicagoans will descend upon Milwaukee, Irving Park, and Cicero for some live music and, of course, darn good barbecue for the 6 Corners BBQ Fest. This Saturday and Sunday, June 15-16, you can enjoy all the pulled pork and baby back ribs you care to consume, all from six local restaurants.
Accompanying your turkey legs will be two stages that will host local musicians like folk artist Ezra Furman and alt-rockers Molehill (check the website for a full lineup). No worries if you can't find a babysitter, this is a kid-friendly fest complete with a Kids Corner that you'll probably enjoy just as much as the kids will.
This is a great local festival hosted by the Six Corners Association, which was founded in 2002 by local businesses to revitalize their district. Live entertainment starts at noon both days, and a $5 donation is appreciated. Stop by the CHIRP table and say hello!
Alli Klein: Family of Noise writesKiller Moon, Rabble Rabble, Creepy Band, and Plastic Crimewave Syndicate at Double Door (6/7/13)
The Double Door, a rock club rich in Chicago history, welcomed four local groups last Friday night for an evening of music that can only be described as heavy. Wicker Park’s Double Door housed a bunch of transplants from a neighborhood a little farther north west, as all four bands have at least a few members (and fans) from the Logan Square area. Competing with a number of summer Chicago street festivals this weekend, I was pleased to see Killer Moon, Rabble Rabble, Creepy Band, and Plastic Crimewave Syndicate playing to an ample sized crowd.
Steve Krakow (Plastic Crimewave Syndicate)