No doubt you've heard about the horrible van accident that The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir was involved in last month on their way to a gig in Cincinnati. While most members of the group are still pretty banged up, they remain positive--Jim DeRogatis details here how they are "on the mend." Luckily no lives were claimed in the accident, but most of their gear was, and they were left with some pretty hefty medical bills. SYGC and Bloodshot Records are "so grateful for the support fans have shown so far" and want to thank those who came out to the SubT Halloween benefit, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
Wondering how you can help? Bloodshot has just announced three more benefit shows (plus the band's Paypal account is still open for donations). Details after the jump.
As CHIRP's physical station is nearing completion at 4045 N. Rockwell St. (and Congress and the FCC are in the midst of reconsidering the law that limits new low-power broadband FM radio stations in big cities), the group is asking for donations to help bring the noise via the Internet. Contributions start at $1 and can run up to as much as $10,000, if you're feeling like that. Through November 11, CHIRP is offering various premiums for donations, from buttons and tote bags to signed silk-screened posters and free CDs. Hell, if you donate $500, various CHIRP DJs are available to spin at your house party!
Don't be left out of this Friday's 7th Annual Rock for Kids Music Mixer at SmartBar. Dozens of Chicago musicians, artists, local labels, and music lovers (like ourselves) were tapped to once again create unique mix CDs that will go to the highest bidder (see a growing list of mixers online). Rock for Kids is a wonderful local non-profit which provides music programs like ethnic percussion, choir, guitar, rock band, piano and production classes to help underprivileged and homeless children strengthen music, academic and social skills and build self-esteem.
What to expect? Well, we've got a slew of mixes from our wizened Transmission staff including ones with titles like: "The Mullet Mix", "The French and the Swedes in America", "Lady Names", "We Sing of Only Blood or Love: On the Road" (which is packaged in a copy of Kerouac's On the Road), "PUT ME IN YOUR BELLY!!!", "All My New Favorite Old Stuff", and much more! See Rock for Kids' Flickr set of a few of the donated mixes.
Update: Here's a slick preview photo of Bob Nanna's grab-bag-o-fun for the mixer. Includes a rare Braid / Poghoh split 7" test-pressing, some Faesthetic magazines, Threadless buttons and more. Also, we hear the following will also be up for bid:
Damon Ranger blackbox Mix CD includes rare tracks including an unreleased song from Foo Fighters.
Aware Records includes a 23 CD Aware Music collection, including signed CDs from John Mayer, Jack's Mannequin, Brandi Carlile and more.
Hot Doug's mix includes $25 worth of gift certificates to Hot Doug's and a certificate to be the Celebrity Sausage for a day.
The Empty Bottle's mix CD come inside of the original light board for the venue - a collector's item for any Empty Bottle Fan!
Johnny Marr's mix CD doesn't have swag, but it's by freakin' Johnny Marr from the Smiths and Modest Mouse.
It just gets better, so you better come out and bid!
The silent auction gets going Friday, August 21, from 7pm-10pm at SmartBar (below Metro) 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL. Music provided by DJ LA Jesus. Recommended $5 donation at the door.
Girls Rock Chicago, a non profit that helps girls express themselves and develop community through rock music is having a Camp Kickoff party and BBQ this Saturday at the Hideout. The evening will be filled with a line up of local lady rockers including 8 Inch Betsy and Lemmy Caution. The event starts at 1:00pm and goes until 5:00. This is an all ages show and admission for everyone under 16 is free! $10 for everyone else.
Stay after for post punk disco clash bands The Guystorm at 9 for $8 and then a Hideout Dance Party with Chance Dances Djs who take the floor at 11:30. The dance party is a $5 admission. All this takes place at 1354 W. Wabansia (773) 227-4433.
If you're headed out for the final day of music, etc. at the Pitchfork Music Festival, don't forget to stop by the Rock for Kids booth and bid on awesome silent auction goods. Just donated yesterday by the always-generous Ice Cream Man are a pair of albums (a 7" and 12") from Jack White's new project The Dead Weather. These babies went for over $500 each on eBay recently, but now's your chance to outbid your fellow festival-goers and walk away with some pretty sweet swag. Rock for Kids is a Chicago-based non-profit, created by local musicians, which provides music education to at-risk youth.
Local group Bumpus takes the stage on Thursday with former member Rachael Yamagata for the first time since 2002. Rachael has since gone on to celebrate success as a solo singer/songwriter. Her emotional ballads have fittingly appeared in television shows such as Grey's Anatomy and The O.C. She even had a cameo in the season finale of 30 Rock (remember the "Kidney Now" drive?). But not one to forget her roots, she got her start here in Chicago with funk-fusion band Bumpus. The group has seen a lot of people come and go over the years, but this is your chance to see new Bumpus and old Bumpus all in one show.
The reason they're all back together? For charity. Ryszard Basiura, the father of a close friend, suffered a life-altering stroke last year as the result of a cerebral aneurysm. All ticket proceeds from Thursday's show will benefit the Ryszard Basiura Fund. Darren Spitzer, of the former Chicago group The Changes, will lend his hand at the DJ sets for the evening. Plus there will be a raffle for prizes such as gift certificates, art by local artists and a 5-night stay in Tulum, Mexico.
The night of music and fundraising takes place this Thursday, July 9 at Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N Kedzie). Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 in advance / $30 at the door. 21+
You: bought that guitar or (insert instrument here) fully intending to sign up for lessons...but that was years ago. Or, you've upgraded amps and cords, and now the old stuff is just sitting in your basement gathering dust. Whatever your case, if you've got equipment lying around your house that you're not using, it's time to give it to some girls who will.
Girls Rock! Chicago is holding a "gear drive" this Saturday at four area Whole Foods locations. Gear will be used for music education at Girls Rock! Chicago's annual summer camp as well as additional programming and events throughout the year. You can drop off your donation--including guitars, basses, amps, drums, cymbals, cases, pedals, microphones, cords, etc--from 10am until 6pm at any of the following Whole Foods stores: Lincoln Park (1550 N. Kingsbury), Lakeview (3300 N. Ashland), South Loop (1101 S. Canal St) or Gold Coast (30 W. Huron). The new flagship store in Lincoln Park will also be holding live performances throughout the day.
As I like to say, you never who know who you might be enabling to rock the next generation. The next Kim Gordon or Karen O. might be growing up just around the corner from you.
Over the years, the Hideout has not only played a vital role in fostering the local music scene, but it's also often linked up with various organizations that strive to improve the social and cultural quality of life in the city of Chicago. This weekend, they bring these two traditions together yet again as they host a three-way benefit event, and a superb lineup of Chicago acts have signed on to take part.
Kicking off at 4 PM and continuing throughout the evening, the benefit features a rich and diverse billing of Chicago artists. The roster includes a double dose of homegrown avant-folk from Spires That In The Sunset Rise and Pillars & Tongues, some Puerto Rican styled bomba y plenta from the percussion & dance ensemble Afri Caribe, as well as a set of spaced-out latin psychedelic pop from local favorites Allá. The band Roommate will also be putting in an appearance, and headlining for the evening is Baby Alright -- the funk/soul covers project whose lineup includes Dan Bitney of Tortoise and poet/former D-Settlement frontman Marvin Tate. This being a Saturday night, the Hideout's Dance Party follows, with DJ Céline.
See the full schedule for the event below, after the jump.
Chicago natives filmmaker Alex Beh and guitarist for pop-punk band Fall Out Boy Joe Trohman are teaming up for a good cause tomorrow night and hosting an event to support the non-profit organization Falling Whistles.
The two met at New Trier High School, and collaborated on the film The Laundry, which they will be screening at the event.
The Falling Whistles organization uses the symbol of the whistle to call individuals to courage and join local leaders inside the Democratic Republic of Congo to build a Free World. The war-zone of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been an ongoing feud that has resulted in a torn country and countless lives (many children) lost. Actual whistles are sold along with the story of the organization and ask people to be whistleblowers for the war. The proceeds go to rehabilitate child-soldiers in Congo.
The event has been billed as "a huge collaboration of artists, musicians, designers, activists, dancers etc, all using their talents for human freedom." Sounds like a good reason to throw back a few drinks and check out a new film, all while helping heal a country and children that really need aid and support.
The event will be held at Angels and Kings tomorrow, February 5, at 8 p.m. Angels and Kings is located at 710 N. Clark.
Andrew already clued you in to Jeff Tweedy's upcoming shows at the Vic to raise money for Emanuel Congregation in Edgewater, Near North Montessori, and Kawasaki disease that are coming up on February 13 and 14. What he didn't know at the time (none of us did, really) was that these won't be the only shows that Tweedy is going to be doing for a good cause.
The Wilco frontman will be hitting the Northeast with shows March 26 in Burlington, VT, March 27 in Northampton, MA, and March 28 in Beacon, NY. Remember, this is a charity show so tickets probably won't be cheap once they go on sale. You can pick them up here. Here's hoping that there are people reading this outside of Chicago that can make use of that info.
It's a hard life being an up and coming band. Endless shows, lots of time making new fans on the internet, and much hard work to prove yourself. Thankfully there are some good people out there to help you make the right connections and hook up with other acts that will garner you exposure in this day and age. Indie rockers The Jakes took this last suggestion to heart, entering a contest on Sonicbids to open for Kings of Leon at their Chicago House of Blues benefit show this upcoming weekend (which Gapers Block will be spotlighting later today). They'll be flying out from sunny California this weekend to open the sold out show Saturday night, but before they head to the Midwest we spoke to lead singer Sameer Gadhia about their trek to our fair city, what the band is listening to these days, and winning their pretty swank weekend gig.
Thought you couldn't go to the Kings of Leon show at the House of Blues next week because it was sold out? Think again. A limited number of tickets will be released for sale this Friday at 5pm on Ticketmaster. Tickets will be $200 for general admission and $250 for VIP. If this sounds like a lot, consider that you could be paying $300 to $500 on Craigslist for the same ticket, and half that profit would be going into somebody's pocket instead of to the kids at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. Proceeds will benefit pediatric cancer treatment and research at Comer.
The Dare 2 Dream concert is presented by The Lisa Klitzky Foundation and takes place next Saturday, January 24th beginning at 6pm. The Whigs and The Jakes will open for Kings of Leon. The House of Blues is located at 329 N. Dearborn. 312-923-2000. All ages.
A certain number of "Golden Circle" tickets have been held for parents from the school and Emanuel members for $250. General admission tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 16, at noon via Ticketmaster or at the Vic box office, 3145 N Sheffield. Early reports pegged general admission at $150 a pop, but Ticketmaster lists them as $100.
What better way to spend the holidays than to see some great live music and give back to the community? The Greater Chicago Food Depository distributes donated food to almost 500,000 adults and children in need per year. This year, the Metro is teaming up with the Chicago Independent Radio Project (C.H.I.R.P.) for a series of concerts to benefit the food depository. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring canned food items to the show, and on December 22nd a canned food item will get you $3 off the ticket price of the show!
Home for the Holidays kicks off tonight with The Hush Sound, Treaty of Paris, and This is Me Smiling, and runs until December 28th with the Midwest Ska Fest. All shows will be at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark Street. Tickets will be available at the Metro box office.
Please note that the Greater Chicago Food Depository is most in need of canned chicken and tuna, canned corn beef, canned fruit, canned vegetables, dried or canned beans, fruit juice, jelly, macaroni and cheese, pasta, peanut butter, rice, and whole grain cereal.
Come check out what's new in the Chicago music scene while giving back to those in need. Full schedule to follow.
Rock For Kids is a 20-year-old Chicago charity devoted to "bringing free, quality music education into the lives of Chicago's under-served children". (As someone who took a music class or two at even a moderately well served Chicago public high school, let me tell you: this is a good idea.) The main program, Youth Jam operates at fifteen sites around the city, and provides everything from teachers and curriculum to instruments for kids who otherwise likely wouldn't get a shot at playing a note. (And according to their website, only 11% of their income is spent on fundraising. Pretty good numbers.)
The organization is currently auctioning two VIP tickets for The Fray's sold out January 9th show at the Metro, (Vedera opens) with passes to meet the band. And guess what? The winning bid is even tax deductible. It's a perfect opportunity to see yourself on the other side of the velvet rope and help out some Chicago kids whose lives might well be changed for the better by getting to play some music.
Rock for Kids was started by local musicians and others in the industry as a fundraiser to buy holiday gifts for homeless children. This idea appropriately evolved into Youth Jams, an after-school education program which brings free music instruction to underprivileged and homeless children. After-school programs in general are great for keeping kids off the streets and out of trouble and giving them somewhere good to direct their energy. Programs offering a creative outlet like Youth Jams also help them gain confidence and self-esteem, and might even pique their interest in music and set them on a path they might not otherwise ever get to see. Better yet, this program offers the opportunity to learn about current music that's a little more modern than what they're probably exposed to in school. I know if I was a kid, I'd be way more interested in learning how to play guitar or drums like my favorite band than playing "mary had a little lamb" on a recorder.
This Friday, Rock For Kids holds it's Twentieth Annual Rock & Roll Charity Auction at Park West (322 W. Armitage). The auction includes signed items from Wilco, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, and more. The Auction begins at 7pm. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. The VIP bash begins at 6pm and you can buy tickets for that and the auction for $75. You can also bid online up until Friday.
Boy are the artist over at Chicago based label Bloodshot Records keeping busy these days. They had two bands on the CBGB Bluegrass festival this past weekend, and now another artist, Waco Brothers, are rocking out for a good cause as well.
The Winn's (the lovely family pictured on the flyer above) are facing hardship like many of us during these rough economical times. The Winn family is dealing with the stress of medical bills related to some recent surgeries for mom Jovon. After a visit to the ER myself this past summer, I know the incredible debt a hospital visit can burden a family with. Plus it's the Holidays folks, and I can think of nothing better then helping a family with three kids have a more secure and happier Christmas!
Waco Brothers will bring their rollicking, up-tempo, legendary romp of a country rock show to The Hideout December 1st. The show is 21+ and tickets are $10. The show starts at 8pm and in case you forgot, The Hideout is located at 1354 W. Wabansia. Hope to see you all there!
Intonation may not be throwing festivals in Union Park anymore, but they are still very active in the Chicago music scene, just on a smaller level, as in with smaller people. Now Intonation Music is a Workshop for kids ages 6-18, putting instruments in their hands and giving them instruction and opportunities to perform. The workshop is a band-based after-school program meaning drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, and amps--not your typical high school marching band. Their goal is to provide this type of programming in neighborhoods where kids might not otherwise be exposed to music. They've already expanded to two locations in addition to their Fuller Park program, and even more sites are in store for next year.
Thursday night Intonation Music Workshop is throwing a Launch Party Fundraiser at The Butterfly Social Club (728 W. Grand Ave.) from 5-8pm. There will be a silent auction with items from Hot Doug's, Parasol Records, Hejfina, The Score Sports Radio and many more. From 5-6pm you can get complimentary beer courtesy of the guys at The Half-Acre Brewing Company. Free beer? And feeling good about donating to charity? What better excuse do you need? And you never know, you might be enabling one of the next generation's great rock bands. Tickets are $10 at the door and all proceeds benefit Intonation Music Workshop.
The Empty Bottle is hosting a dance party this Sunday 11/16/08 to help cover the recent vet bills of the feline Empty Bottle CEO. Poor Radley's years of excess have led to a necessary teeth pulling excursion (ouch!) DJs include: Alex Valentine, Hologram Trav, Willy May, DJ Hugsen Kissus, and DJ Miles Raymer.
Chicago son Twista, New York rappers EPMD, and up-and-comer Mic Terror perform Wednesday night at the Metro at a special benefit performance for the Humane Society. If you ever wanted to head to an intimate rap show on the northside, this is your chance. Adding to the evening's entertainment, the Humane Society of the United States will also showcase its End Dogfighting in Chicago campaign through special appearances by the dogs and kids of its Pit Bull Training Team–Chicago. The proceeds from the evening's entertainment will go towards this very worthy cause.
Mic Terror (featured on Ray Protege's Hipster Hop Mixtape) will start the night out at 9pm and doors open at 8pm. Tix $18/adv, $22/door. 18+.
Sure, you could sit out all in the Millennium Park glory that is the Pritzker Pavillion on Wednesday, September 3rd along with every other indie music lover in the midwest and wait for Andrew Bird to take the stage for a free show, or, you could put your money where your mouth is, and do some good for the children at the same time. Rock For Kids, the same awesome non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth in Chicago through a variety of music-oriented programs is auctioning off not one but two chances to meet Mr. Bird and sit your butts in some cushy premium seating at his upcoming event downtown. Bid here or here, but do it soon — the auction ends on Monday, September 1.
In a city where street fairs and festivals are a dime a dozen, it's refreshing to see a new one pop up with a pretty cool name and some good acts too. The Raven makes it debut this weekend at Chase Park (between Ashland & Clark off Leland) with a few stages, lots of bands that would draw good audiences at Schubas or the Empty Bottle, and even a Kids' area.
Saturday evening is headlined by Minneapolis' music blog darlings Tapes 'n Tapes, who're out promoting their latest record, Walk It Off. The Columbia, MO/Brooklyn sextet White Rabbits plays as a tough act to follow since its members switch instruments throughout their shows, even mid-song. (They're pretty entertaining.) Another Missouri band, the horrendously-named Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, and Chicago's own Chin Up Chin Up also play on Saturday. Brooklyn's shoegazing Dirty on Purpose and Chicago's poppy M's, whose new album Real Close Ones is fantastic, highlight Sunday's lineup. Local bands Bound Stems, who were at last week's West Fest, and Detholz! also play late Sunday afternoon.
Gates open at noon both days. A $5 donation goes toward the renovation of Chase Park's playground.
Act quick, and get cheap $10 tickets to see world-renowned Thrill Jockey artists, indie rock innovators, post-rock experimentalists (and Chicago boys) Tortoise (read our review of their 2006 box set A Lazarus Taxon) at the Empty Bottle this Saturday, 7/12. The catch? Only a potential windfall for Stella Ackerman, the daughter of former Bottle employee (and member of Lustre King) Craig Ackerman, who has an undiagnosed blood disease. Proceeds from the (nearly sold out) show will go towards the Ackerman's medical bills and cancer research.
Tortoise plays the benefit show for Stella this Saturday, 7/12 with special guests Tight Phantomz and Disappears starting at 10pm. Tickets are $10 (limited number) and $15 after that. Questions? Ask the Empty Bottle, 773-276-3600.
Since when do you get the chance to support a tattoo parlor, the Anti-Cruelty Society and rock n' roll at the same time? Since local tattoo establishment, Insight Studios set its mind to celebrate its anniversary each year with a benefit. This year marks #3 for the studio, and they'll be running not one but two parties, as well as sharing all of their tattoo and piercing profits March 28th-30th.
It's that magical time of the year when Front Gate gets absolutely bombed with requests for Lollapalooza presale tickets. The few thousand tickets that went on sale for $60 this morning were snatched up in minutes. The next round goes on sale March 25. And even though the full lineup won't be announced for weeks or even months yet, Greg Kot is reporting that Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails will headline.
At last night's Galapalooza event, it was revealed that Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings will play the fundraiser on July 31 and also do a set during the August 1-3 festival. This will make the second year in a row the Dap-Kings play the annual festival. This year, though, their frontwoman should be more stable than last year's.
Flowers, dinner, chocolates, handmade valentines that express your true love and desire -- how passé. What will really woo your sweetie over is some good ol'-fashioned popping and locking. Remember how Turbo was so inspired by his lady love in Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo that he started breakin' up the walls? Your love is like that, except without the cut-off mesh shirt and genie pants.
Ditch the conventional Valentine's Day hullaballoo and watch as area b-boys and b-girls (including Chicago's own Brickheadz crew) work it out at the breakdance battle and video game competition. Live DJs will play, and the video games will be projected on a huge screen. It really is something to watch as competitors dance, though I warn you now: You will feel a bit old and creaky in comparison.
It takes place on Friday, February 15 at Alternatives rec center (4730 N. Sheridan Rd.); the doors open at 6 p.m., and the battle begins at 8. Admission is $5, which goes toward Alternatives programs and battle prizes.
Two weeks from tomorrow, Chicago singer/songwriter Andrew Bird and longtime Chicago underground rock band Dianogah will join forces and perform a very special night of music to benefit the Presidential campaign of Senator Barack Obama. Get set for a night of guitar strums, exceptional whistling, crooning lyrics and generally pretty rock, all broadcast from the truly intimate stage at the Hideout. Also of note: Dianogah has a new album due out in early June, so expect some new material Jay Ryan and the boys. Ticket-buyers will receive an exclusive, ultra-limited-edition hand-screened poster by local poster artist Kathleen Judge (read all about her work here in a previous "Three Questions For:" column previously on GB).
Tickets will run you $100 (suggested minimum....it is a fundraiser afterall) and are only available from Obama for America's website (Note: This means they are not available at the Hideout.)
Andrew Bird and Dianogah play at 7:30pm 2/28 at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia.
This weekend at the Hideout, you can hear some hot tunes that'll melt your heart. This benefit for the New Orleans' music festival, the Ponderosa Stomp, features some amazing Soul and Blues musicians. The Festival (this year slated for April 29 & 30 at the House of Blues in New Orleans) celebrates the legacy, revitalizes the careers and preserves the history of American music's unsung heroes. Through oral histories with musical stylists, iconoclasts, and trailblazers, and a regular concert series staged at New Orleans' Ogden Museum of Southern Art, among other concerts including its signature annual concert, The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation provides musical legends a platform to perform and expose audiences to their pioneering cultural contributions to American contemporary music.
The benefit for the New Orleans' Ponderosa Stomp festival takes place Saturday, Feb. 2 at The Hideout at 1354 W. Wabansia. Tickets are $10 ($12/door) and music starts at 9pm.
Nestled amidst all of the recent development in Printers Row, the loft venue and recording studio The Shape Shoppe has been an intimate, off-the-path hub for fractured pop and DIY experimental merriment. Aside from being a local nexus in the Elephant 6 network, a number of fringe-dwelling luminaries have either played or recorded on its premises over the past few years—including Dan Deacon, Beirut, Man Man, Icy Demons, Pit er Pat, the Bird Names, and Akron/Family.
But this past spring, proprietor Griffin "Blue Hawaii" Rodriguez began renovating the recording studio in order to give it a much-needed upgrade. To help offset the costs of the undertaking, the Shape Shoppe will be throwing a big ree-raw benefit show at The Hideout this Friday. The Killer Whales, who recently reformed after a lapse in activity, are scheduled to play. Also on the bill are ramshackle pop-folksters The Bird Names, Michael Columbia, and swingin' 70's west-coast groove revivalists Bronze. Given the line-up, its' the sort of show that'll provide non-stop opportunities to shout, sing, and dance along. DJs Hologram Trav and White Lightning spin between sets. 1354 W. Wabansia, 9pm. Admission is $10.
On January 19th, The Dill Pickle Food Co-Op is holding a fund-raiser that should appeal to anyone's inner hedonist and activist at the same time. Based on the famous Dill Pickle Club from the turn of last century (a place that "welcomed hoboes, prostitutes, professors, and every variety of nonconformist passing through Chicago"), the organization is aiming to create a storefront food co-op on the north side. They've worked for years to establish themselves as a non-profit entity, raise awareness, and raise money through grants and fund-raisers. You can do your part to help by attending one of these very events, this one showcasing performances from Pit er Pat, Detholz, and Reds and Blue. DJ sets from Bobby Conn and WLUW's Mary Nisi will end the event on a dancin' note from 11:30pm 'til 1am. A donation bar on top of everything else brings you one fine evening for 15 bones. All proceeds go towards the Co-op, so drink with a clean conscience. Doors open at 8pm, performances start at 9pm. It all happens at the AV-Aerie at 2000 W. Fulton (the old open-end gallery).
Sunday, December 23 at 9PM, radio station WLUW 88.7-FM presents a benefit in support of the Chicago Independent Radio Project, which is striving to "to secure a broadcast license for a new community radio station in Chicago that is committed to local, independent programming, and generally to further the causes of localism, diversity, and independence in broadcasting. The group is working to convince Congress and the FCC to remove existing barriers to the granting of low power FM radio licenses in urban areas, including Chicago."
The benefit is being organized by two WLUW hosts who call their show the "Hump Day Dance Party" (it airs on Wednesdays from 8-10PM, and the party, called "Weird Kids 2: Christmas Bugaloo," is exactly what it seems. Performers include Lord of the Yum Yum, who does A Capella beat-boxed versions of classical standards, the Anatomy Collective, who promise a holiday pageant, and Cup 'N' String, who sing "sea shanties for the American Midwest."
WEIRD KIDS 2: CHRISTMAS BUGALOO
Sunday, December 23 Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago)
9:00 PM
$7
21+
So you couldn't get you and the kids into Shellac. Oh well, nice try. How about this show at the Abbey Pub instead? On Sunday, Dec. 16 two bands on the Bloodshot Records label get silly for an afternoon. While this should be par for the course for the alt-kids music supergroup known as Wee Hairy Beasties, it could prove to be a little more difficult for the baroque, indie pop of Scotland Yard Gospel Choir.
This is being billed as a kid's holiday show, so expect to see your fair share of hungover, grizzly Santas in the crowd and up on stage. Get there early for this 1:30 pm showtime. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids with proceeds going to the Rogers Park Montessori School.
The entire concert lineup on stage at the same time, singing with the audience.
Back in September on this page, I predicted that the Old Town School of Folk Music’s sold-out 50th Anniversary benefit concert celebration, which was held this past Saturday, would end as a giant sing-a-long. I was wrong. In fact, the singing started before the concert even began, in the lobby and on every floor of the enormous Auditorium Theatre, led by both school faculty and volunteer ensembles. The joyous pre-concert hootenannies exemplified all that the Old Town School stands for -- community, inclusiveness, and fun -- and were the perfect prelude to an extraordinary 17-act musical montage of what the school offers year-round to us lucky Chicagoans.
Expectedly, the audience didn’t have to wait long before the next participatory opportunity. As the lights dimmed, Old Town School faculty members came out in increments to perform Pete Seeger’s hit “Turn! Turn! Turn!” in many different styles and variations, the final variation being, of course, a sing-a-long. As a result of some superb technical coordination, the faculty continued to perform in-between acts through the entire evening – both on stage and in the balconies – so that not one minute of the precious 3-hour concert was wasted.
We've let you know before about Rock for Kids, a great Chicago non-profit group that provides support, aid and inspiration to young people who are homeless or in need. This Friday, you can show your support and join Rock for Kids at their 19th Annual Charity Auction at the Park West. There, you can bid on some amazing pieces of rock memorabilia donated by more than 100 artists. Items include LPs signed by The Rolling Stones, John Travolta, Stevie Wonder and Aerosmith, a bike signed by the Pretenders, posters signed by Wilco and Sufjan Stevens, a suit worn by James Brown and a target shot at and signed by Ted Nugent. (You can check out over 100 of them here). Tickets to the auction are just $15 and can be purchased online at the Rock for Kids website or at Ticketmaster outlets. The Park West is located at 322 W. Armitage. (If you can't make it in person, you can also fill out an online form to bid by proxy!)
The Rock for Kids Charity Auction starts at 7pm, Friday, November 30 at the Park West.
Limited tickets are still available in all price levels for the Old Town School's 50th Anniversary Benefit Concert, featuring Bela Fleck, Jeff Tweedy, first Old Town instructor Frank Hamilton (who will, btw, be giving a couple of workshops) and many others. This should be a fun time.
I asked if there would be rush tickets the night of and the answer was NO! For a preview, listen to 98.7WFMT Saturday at 7PM for a Studs Terkel Program rerun featuring the school's 40th anniversary celebration (Disclosure: I work for WFMT).
@ Auditorium Theatre, December 1, tickets at Ticketmaster.
You read this blog and, therefore, you go to shows. And, more often than not, the shows are loud.
Now consider your grandparents, who probably have problems hearing what you tell them, and then imagine yourself when you get to be 80 or so years old. While growing up, your grandparents didn't have iPods, stereos, ultra big speakers at rock concerts (or rock for that matter). You experience those noises every day, and what the American Hearing Research Foundation is trying to tell us, essentially, is that we're screwed if we don't do something about it.
On Sunday, November 18, 2007, the American Hearing Research Foundation (AHRF) will hold a benefit concert at the Empty Bottle to help raise awareness of noise-induced hearing loss. Proceeds from the show will help the AHRF fund research into hearing loss at universities and hospitals throughout the United States and Canada, which the Chicago-based foundation has been doing for more than 30 years with over 165 research projects under its belt. Local bands Le Concorde, The Handcuffs and The Its will perform (all have or have witnessed hearing loss). Free Earlove earplugs for the first ones in.
Admission is only $8. Click through for hearing loss facts and signs:
Tomorrow, I know last minute but we are VICE is just how we roll, we are throwing a fundraiser in Chicago for our buddies the Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda. The band is the center piece of our new movie "Heavy Metal in Baghdad." The long of the short, they need to get out of Iraq where they are receiving death threats about their music and ways. So we are raising money to get them out. How? The only way VICE knows how, drinking and having a good time. So far we have raised over $13K.
Tomorrow night, Lyric Opera of Chicago holds its opening night gala performance of “La traviata” starring superstar Renée Fleming followed by a gala at the Hilton. Participants will walk down a red carpet as they enter the Civic Opera House (sans any real celebrities, however – this is still Chicago, and not L.A., after all, and definitely for the better) and will then be greeted by heralding trumpets at the Hilton. Gala entertainment will be provided by the Stu Hirsh Orchestra, a wedding band, proving once and for all that not even opera fans can resist "Love Shack" or "YMCA."
According to an email from organizer Michael Patrick, the “Power to the Peaceful” festival will be happening in Chicago. “It most certainly is happening. . . most of our press has been very underground. Kind of artist for artist sake kind of thing,” said Patrick. This grass-roots, separate and smaller version of the original San Francisco Festival will happen next weekend, September 28 and 29. Proceeds will go to Amnesty International.
This Saturday at 11AM, tickets go on sale for the Old Town School of Folk Music’s 50th anniversary “Really Big Show” at the Auditorium Theatre on December 1st at 7PM.
10 years ago, for its 40th anniversary concert, folk superstars like Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne and Arlo Guthrie performed at the Medinah Temple. This year, the lineup is a more diverse, including not only traditional folk musicians such as guitarist David Bromberg, but also sounds from the Sones de México Ensemble and a work by the Luna Negra Dance Theatre. Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck, harmonica master Corky Siegel and a slew of other folkies will also be there along with Wilco band leader Jeff Tweedy (Tweedy?! Well, as bluesman Big Bill Broonzy, who performed at the school’s opening night in 1957, once said, “all music is folk music. I ain't never heard a horse sing a song”).
Done in by rain and wind and falling debris a few weeks ago, the Rock for Kids Music Mixer will really (for real) happen this Thursday night, 9/6, at Smartbar. Come out and bid on sweet and unique mixes by Chicago's music community including Time Out: Chicago, Pitchfork Media, Bloodshot Records, the Empty Bottle, and even little ol' us, Gapers Block: Transmission (see everyone who's contributed a mix here). You can get yourself a one-of-a-kind set of new tunes, and help out Chicago's homeless and underprivileged youth at the same time. The bidding gets going at 6pm and runs until 9pm at Smartbar, 3730 N. Clark. There's a $5 suggested donation at the door.
Hey all, we were all psyched to head out last night to the Rock for Kids music mixer that Transmission staff have submitted eight specially-made music mixes to, but then the skies opened and the lights went out in Wrigleyville. They'll be rescheduling the event, and we'll let you know about the new date and time as soon as we know.
Come together along with Chicago's music community Thursday night for the 5th Annual Rock for Kids Music Mixer at Smartbar. Rock for Kids is a local organization that provides support, inspiration and assistance to children that are homeless or in need. Rock For Kids works with families and organizations to positively impact and celebrate young lives. At the mixer on 8/23, you can mingle (or mix, if you will) with members of Chicago's music scene, and bid on dozens of specially made, one-of-a-kind mix CDs from the music staffs from Time Out: Chicago, Pitchfork Media, Bloodshot Records, The Empty Bottle and, yup, Gapers Block: Transmission. There will also be mixes put together by members of Chicago bands such as Catfish Haven, Chin Up Chin Up, Office, DJ Matt ROAN and local celebrities like Hot Doug himself, Doug Sohn. A full list of participants is here. The fun gets going from 6pm-10pm Thursday at Smartbar (located beside the Metro) at 3730 N. Clark St. There's a $5 suggested donation.
With the future of one of the true local indie radio stations in question, Chicagoans might be apt to say that non-for-profit radio is going the way of commercial stations due to pressures from the Web and satellite outlets. But a local group calling themselves CHIRP (Chicago Indie Radio Project) has united to keep free radio alive and well in Chicago. Formed by a large group of WLUW volunteers who aren't sure what the future holds after WLUW goes back into Loyola University hands, CHIRP is working hard to build up enough funds and interest to start a low power FM radio station for the Chicago independent community. Having sponsored a couple impressive benefits already, they are hosting two more in the upcoming days. This Friday at Quenchers come see The Strange Attractor, Spectaculo, and About Nothin for $5. On Monday all you blossoming rock stars better represent your A-game. Stop in at Piece for a Guitar Hero Tournament with proceeds for entry going to CHIRP. The theme is 80s so break out the hair spray, neon-stretch biker shorts and friendship bracelets. Let's see who has the skills to be a true hero all while playing for a good cause. 9 p.m.
If you've been following your Transmission feature stories, you'll no doubt remember Lampo. For those that need a brush-up, Lampo is the Ukranian Village-based venue which has spent its first 10 years of existence bringing 100 concerts of extraordinary experimental musicians from all over the world to the area, generally for exclusive performances of new works, often for their first performance in our fair city.
After 100 shows, the Lampo planned to move to a new location in time for its fall season. Unfortunately, funds are proving to be tight. That's why they are currently on the hunt for 100 people who would be willing to donate $9.99 to help them to continue bringing artists like Zbigniew Karkowski, Eliane Radigue, Lasse Marhaug, and Leif Elggren to Chicago. The money will be spent upgrading the sound system (when you're hosting a sonically demanding artist like Maryanne Amacher, you better make sure your speakers are fully functioning), paying the rent on the new space, and, most important for anyone who has sat through one of these hour long-plus performances, NEW CHAIRS. Not to mention bringing internationally-acclaimed artists in from every country in the world and making sure they're adequately compensated for their efforts.
Click the Lampo membership page for more information on how you can help. Other payment levels (which include important swag like free tickets and t-shirts) are also available.
A big evening at Darkroom is shaping up for this Friday. It's the big DJ LA* Jesus Benefit Birthday Bash, and plenty of participants have piled on to celebrate and make the thing happen for a worthy cause. DJ LA* Jesus been an amusing fixture on the local club scene these past few years, and not unlike his namesake, has landed his own devout following around town. He's slung a good many crafty bootleg remixes (Missy E's "Pass The Dutchie" atop New Order's "Blue Monday," anyone?), and has recently done some legit remix work for The Flaming Lips and Apostle of Hustle. And this Friday is His his birthday, and a big to-do is in order. Entertainment-wise, DJ LA* Jesus himself will be spinning, as will Bald Eagle of the Life During Wartime crew, and deejay Lipschitz. But wait, it ain't over! The evening will also feature an appearance by dance-popsters Walter Meego, who will reportedly contribute to the DJing and perform a live set, as well.
As for the Benefit portion of the evening is concerned, proceeds will go to Rock For Kids, the Chicago non-profit organization that helps provide music education and lessons to homeless and underprivileged children. A lot of folks have signed on to provide incentives, and there will reportedly be giveaways that might allow you to chance to get free stuff from Threadless, studio time at Rax Trax studios, a free haircut from Ben Mollin, and tickets to upcoming shows around town (word has it that the Metro will be holding a raffle for tix to see Clap Your Hand Say Yeah and Cold War Kids). 2210 W. Chicago. It all gets underway at 9pm. $6 at the door or you can buy advanced tickets from the club.
If the demise of the Lakeview Lounge has sent you scrambling to get your fix of favorite house band Nite Watch, you're in luck. The venerable trio (Larry, Raul and Gilbert) will be reuniting on stage this Sunday for a special benefit show at Martyrs'. Rounding out the enticing bill are other Chicago favorites Kelly Hogan, Nora O’Connor and Robbie Fulks. The show will benefit Paul Mooney, a local writer, teacher and musician who has cystic fibrosis and is in need of a lung transplant, and will also feature a raffle, silent auction, magician and a psychic along with the good tunes. There is a $20 suggested donation price, and music starts in the afternoon at 2pm. Martyrs' is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
After this week's whole snow/slush nonsense, it's about time spring has elbowed its way into its proper place. To celebrate, I suggest you attend Thaw, a benefit for Links Hall at Sonotheque. See, Links Hall (1444 W. Chicago Ave.) is a nonprofit studio for experimental performance, and what better way to see what you're supporting than by watching performances, take in video work and live installations, all while shoving down complimentary hors d'oeurvres and drinks. Afterwards, you'll need to work all of those tiny foodstuffs down, so pull up your pants and dance with until 2 a.m. with an assortment of DJs.
See? Everybody wins. The shindig is from 7-10 p.m., and $30 will get you food, drinks, and admission to the late-night performances. If you just came to shake a tailfeather, $10 will get you in the door. Check here, or call 773/281.0824 for more info.
Along with the Shellac/Dianogah/Sound On Sound benefit at Subteranean on April 27th, Catlick Records is releasing a 2XCD benefit compilation entitled For Callum to help raise money for Callum Robbins' care fund. The CD features rare and unreleased tracks by Maritime, The Eternals, Mission of Burma, David Grubs, Life and Times, as well as rare demo of Jawbreaker'sI Love You So Much It’s Killing Us Both.
TRACK LISTING:
1. All the Way Rider - Luxembourg
2. Arcwelder - The Hope (demo)
3. Careers In Modeling - Acorn
4. Chad - English Girl
5. Channels - Cast Away
6. E. Fowlkes Sextet - Rory Corrigan
7. Engine 88 - Get Off
8. Engine Down - Your Suit
9. Eternals - Rawar Style
10. Gordonovich - Au Revoir (Char's Garden)
11. David Grubbs - A Dream to Help Me Sleep
12. Halloween, Alaska - Halloween (remix)
13. The Icy Shores - Backseat
14. Imaginary Johnny - Little Dimes
15. Jawbreaker - I Love You So Much It’s Killing Us Both (demo)
16. Kingfield - Penny
17. Bryan Knisley - Madeline
18. Joe Lally - Mistaken Identity
19. Life and Times - Catching Crumbs
20. Maritime - Tearing up the Oxygen
21. Medications - Domestic Animals
22. Bill Mike - Secure
23. The Million - Waterfront (demo)
24. Mission of Burma - N.S.U.
25. Travis Morrison - Represent
26. Drew O’Doherty - You’ll Believe A Man Can Fly
27. The Oranges Band - Operator
28. Pilot to Gunner - All the Lights
29. Roh Delikat - Ant Overthrow
30. Self-Evident - World As a Verb
31. The Spectaculars - Dopasetic
32. Story of the Sea - West Bank
Even though he's made his name in the Washington D.C. area, J. Robbins (Government Issue, Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels) has friends all over. And when it was learned that his son, Cal, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, those friends came together to do something for the Robbins family. In Chicago, on Cal's 1st birthday, January 27, Eleventh Dream Day, Chin Up Chin Up, Bobby Conn, The Life and Times, Red Eyed Legends, and a special guest that's perhaps a Chicago band with an equine name (or so a little bird told me) will play for Cal's benefit at the Empty Bottle. Admission is $15 and all proceeds will go toward the Robbins family. If J. Robbins' music has ever affected you, please consider attending or donating.
Blogger tinyluckygeniushas the tip on a benefit show for fledgling indie paper out of Pilsen called The Skeleton over at Mr. City "#1 in elusive downtown warehouse spaces" Friday night. Playing will be experimental rock group Bird Names along with The Coughs (plus more TBA). $5. Mr. City (despite being elusive) is at 1133 Fulton (enter on May).
Tomorrow night, you can hit the first in a series of fundraisers for the independent feature film, Snap, at the Double Door. The headlining band, Baldwin Brothers, is featured on the upcoming Samuel L. Jackson movie soundtrack, Snakes on a Plane, for which they produced a remix of the All American Rejects song "Can't Take It." The show will also feature the dub reggae stylings of The Drastics, and DJ Sid Delicious featuring Jarrett from Walter Meego. A raffle with prize giveaways includes the chance to win a walk-on role in Snap. The show starts at 9pm and the cover is $10. All proceeds go towards the production of Snap. The Double Door is located at 1572 N Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago.
When talking musical influences with Helen Money, it's easy to forget her instrument of choice: cello. She references Bob Mould's Beaster, with its wall of sound and intense, thought-obliterating guitar work. She speaks of The Who and all the crazy rock bands she was exposed to in the '80s. "The stuff I like sounds like life or death," she reasons. And this coming from a woman with a picture of Jimi Hendrix taped to her cello case like he's a saint.
Transmission is the music section of Gapers Block. It aims to highlight Chicago music in its many varied forms, as well as cover touring acts performing in the city.
Editor: Anne Holub, ash@gapersblock.com
Transmission staff inbox: transmission@gapersblock.com
