Summer Camp Music Fest 2013 Photo Filled Friday Recap #SCamp #SCamp13 #SummerCampFest

The slideshow above features our full set of shots from Friday including the good, the bad and the ugly.   We're sharing them all, just this once, before we break it down by bands, best of, and themes.   That way if you and your friends crossed my path or you're a band fanatic and just can't get enough, you'll get to see ALL the shots.  

We're back from ChiILin' in Chillicothe, with a ton of wet n muddy camping gear we are unsuccessfully attempting to dry in the back yard between ongoing rain showers.   We're also back with loads of great show shots, band video interviews, and fun memories.   It wasn't all sole sucking muck!



Highlights of the Thursday night pre party were: 

a fast fiddlin', folk rockin' set by Cornmeal, with the inimitable Allie Kral.   SCamp was her last weekend with the band.   Look for her in the coming months playing out with a number of bands including Hot Buttered Rum.   You can follow her fiddle playing sparks across America this summer with her new Reverb Nation Page here.    

We've shot Allie a zillion times over the years.   Check out some of our past stills right here. 

For lots more just put Cornmeal or Van Ghost in the side searchbar at ChiIL Live Shows or ChiIL Mama.  I had a chance to talk with her after her pickin' set Sunday and I later gave a mini video interview about Allie that will air on the SCamp site in the near future.   Basically I thanked Allie for not being a Barbie and for being a great role model for girls out there--proving you can be yourself, let your talent shine through and make it in the boys' world of the music industry without being a 90lb blond in mini skirts.   She's a pure joy to see in action and sparks fly when she plays.





The second highlight was a mindblowingly excellent set by Chi-town's own, Digital Tape Machine.   I'm generally not crazy about house music or techno, but these guys can PLAY.   3 words that changed my mind... they.  play.  INSTRUMENTS.   They really got the crowd going and I would go see them live again in a second.  A day later their set was all anyone wanted to rave about in the press room and throughout the SCamp grounds.  Sure they have the requisite mac laptop, but these guys play actual instruments too, for a compelling combo.   Highly recommended.   Wanna check out their sound.   

5 tracks from their Summer Camp 2012 Set and lots more are FREE on their site.   Click here.

Digital Tape Machine is a Chicago-based band featuring Kris Myers, Joel Cummins, Joe Hettinga, Bryan Doherty, David Arredondo, Marcus Rezak, and Dan Rucinski. The digital, yet analog force behind Digital Tape Machine produces a very modern, electronic sound. Often compared to video game music, elements of electronic dance, tech house, dance house, deep house, post-industrial, drum ‘n bass and hip-hop are all woven into a live show. This edgy, danceable music has been met by enthusiastic crowds who are thirsty for more. The band is rapidly gaining momentum from late night festival sets and sold out shows.

All photos are copyrighted by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiiLLiveShows.com and ChiiLMama.com.   Please contact us for permission to repost unless you're just doing a quickie FB, Pinterest or Twitter share and then reposting is fine as long as you give us photo credit.   Enjoy!




Ian Neville (guitar) of Dumpstaphunk

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:  Dumpstaphunk rocked The Starshine Stage in a late night set, after a brush with death and a sleeping driver on cruise control on their way to SCamp!   Check out our video interview soon for all the details.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:   The Wailers on The Sunshine Stage

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:  Interviewing Victor Wooten, Artist at Large, and hearing him play with long time fav Keller Williams with his new configuration... More Than a Little.   As if that wasn't cool enough, they played my "theme song"-- Once in a Lifetime, Talking Heads!!   Happy happy joy joy.

Joe Hettinga (Digital Tape Machine), Joel Cummins (Umphrey's McGhee), Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk)

SCamp is intimate workshops in "the church" where you can get up close & personal with the pros and hear some stellar mashups like this power trio improvising on keyboards!!   *Annual Keyboard Workshop led by Joel Cummins (center)

SCamp is Eco-Friendly

SCamp is Family Friendly

SCamp is Freaky Fun

SCamp is 4 Days of Nearly Non Stop Music 

SCamp is Camping With Old Friends That I Only Get To See Annually at Summer Camp.

SCamp is Weird Coinkidinks, Like Driving 3 Hours Away To Discover I'm Camping Next To A Neighbor Who Lives Blocks Away and Rents From Long Time Friends of Mine!!

SCamp is good people, characters, and creative costumes!

SCamp is daily doses of Umphrey's McGhee

SCamp is carnival rides, colored lights, spinning hoops--poi balls-- and glo sticks lighting up the night with a riot of color.

Check back with ChiIL Live Shows & our fam friendly site, ChiIL Mama, like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often over the coming weeks and you can relive SCamp13 in all it's fun in the sun & wet n wild glory.   We have loads of photos, video band interviews and more!

PLAY LOCALLY: ChiIL Mama's Top Weekend Picks

Keller Williams Interview With ChiIL Mama from ChiIL Mama on Vimeo.

ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama chat with Keller Williams about How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create

TODAY (Saturday)

American Girl Place

Meet the Author: Kathleen Ernst 1-3pm--free and open to the public.

Meet Kathleen Ernst, the award-winning author of Caroline Abbott’s six-book series! This informal session is your girl’s opportunity to meet Ms. Ernst in person and have her favorite books signed. Free and open to the public. For girls ages 8 and up.

Event details by store

• Chicago: October 13
• Dallas: November 17
• Kansas City: October 14
• Seattle: November 18

Click here for full details.

Keller Williams at Park West (18+)8:30pm GA/ doors 7:30

ChiIL Live Shows will be there...will YOU?!   Highly recommended.   We've had the great pleasure of interviewing Keller Williams and shooting stills at his adult and kindie shows for years.  Check out our live show shots from Summer Camp Music Festival, Kidzapalooza, and Chicago's own Park West last year.   

This multitalented musician goes beyond the jam band genre with a plethora of great releases for adults, a kindie (kids' indie) album, and a kids' book/CD combo!!   We've given away loads of his CDs, and even the book/CD to our lucky readers.

This time through he's just playing for the big kids (AKA adults and kids 18+). 



It was great to meet Keller, his wife, Emily, and the kids, Ella and Cabell last year at Park West in Chicago.   Click HERE for our show stills and sneek peek.


Since ChiIL Live Shows & ChiIL Mama have a national following in the jam band and kindie communities check out Keller's upcoming tour dates beyond Chi-Town on his web site and keep up to date on Twitter, FB and social media sites. 

Check out some of our past Keller coverage on ChiIL Mama here and ChiIL Live Shows here.

Tickets are still available.   Click here for tonight's show details.


Sunday




Brunch With Gymnast, Gabby Douglas 

It's going to be a week of meeting heros and girls who rock.   My gymnast daughter is elated to meet two members of the US Olympic girls team.   Sunday we'll have brunch with Gabby Douglas and Monday we'll meet Aly Raisman at American Girl Place, Chicago.   Who are your heros?   

Olympic Champion Gabrielle Douglas will visit Chicago with her mother, Natalie Hawkins, to highlight a special event exclusive to mothers and daughters. 

What: Douglas will speak to hundreds of mothers, daughters and supporters at the “Pink Pearls & Pretty Dresses: Girls’ Empowerment Brunch.” The event is a fundraiser for Inspire Girls to Lead Our World (iGlow)—a Chicago mentorship program for young girls.

When: Sunday, October 14, 2012; 12pm-4pm

Where: Donald E. Stevens Convention Center; 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018

Why: The event will be a day of inspiration and empowerment for young girls and their mothers. It will also help raise funds for iGlow so that it can continue delivering resources and guidance for young women in the Chicago-land area.  In short, iGlow provides platforms for young girls to get answers to their questions about life and their struggles.

  
Aly Raisman Monday

Come to American Girl Chicago on Monday, October 15, for a chance to meet gymnastics two-time gold-medalist Aly Raisman! The first 300 girls in line at the Michigan Avenue entrance will receive a ticket to meet Aly, who will sign autographs and appear in photos from 5 – 7 p.m. Remember to bring your camera! Learn more about our Chicago store: http://bit.ly/Vi4LEn


All Weekend

Logan Center For The Arts Opening

Logan Launch Festival, October 12-14

The new Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts will officially open to the public with a free three-day Logan Launch Festival on October 12-14, 2012. The Logan Launch Festival will include ongoing activities throughout the building–and outside on the courtyard stage–featuring over 50 events organized for the occasion. The weekend highlights art of all sorts, with an architecture lecture by the Logan Center architects, plays written by alumni, film screenings and sound installations, the launch of family programming, Greek tragedy adaptations, and student talent. View the full schedule of events at loganlaunch.uchicago.edu.

Harvest Fest at North Park Nature Center   

Sunday Rocked At Lollapalooza/Kidzapalooza 2011 #lolla, #kidza, #kidza11

Double click the slide show for full screen and other options.


As sad as it is to know Sunday marks the end of Lolla Land for another year, we always look forward to it, too.   


Our day began at 8am with the VIR Event at The James Hotel.   ChiIL Mama will have the whole show posted in the near future.   We also had the great opportunity to interview Ralph Covert of Ralph's World and our friend, Tor, who joined in on the interview fun, too.   We also interviewed an impressive percentage of the Happiness Club.    As soon as we finish the editing process we'll have some serious treats for you.   So check back in with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.


Sundays on the kids stage always rock!    This year was no exception.   We were thrilled to see one of our absolute favs, Keller Williams, play his own set then stay to sit in with Peter DiStefano, Tor Hyams and the School of Rock All Stars.    Wow!!    Perry Farrell always makes an appearance, to play a couple of his tunes, too.   We were treated to Peter playing with Lance Armstrong, as well, who invited a bunch of the kidza kids to join them on stage.    Then Ralph rocked the grand finale by coming down off the stage to play among the kids in the grass.    Sagezilla was elated to see Ralph's punk n rock roots were showing as she recognized riffs from 7 Nation Army and Rebel Rebel.   Fun times!


We stuck it out through the end of Cage The Elephant's set under a serious deluge.   Even in rain ponchos and under the tree line, we were all pretty soggy.   I wish I had a water proof camera as we laughed at hundreds of people jumping a giant puddle in the downpour.   What's the point people?    You can't possibly get any wetter!    There were about 20 pairs of feet next to us under a patchwork collection of tarps.    At one point a pair of eyes surfaced for a few minutes and said, "I wish I was still a little kid like yours.   They're the only ones smiling and laughing right now."    Sure enough.   Du-Jay and Sagezilla were having the time of their lives, even going out into the pelting rain to jump IN the giant puddle the muddy hipsters were still all jumping over.


All in all, despite the rainy finish, it was another fantastic year.    We can't wait to do it all again next August.    We'll still be recapping and posting interviews for the next few weeks.     Then there's Northcoast Music Fest looming on the horizon and Riot Fest this fall.   We have loads of photos of both from last year and will have new band interviews, photo filled features, and breaking info to come.

Play Locally: Kindie, Kids Punk and Family Friendly Music Events

Sunday:

Charlie Hope with special guest Little Miss Ann, Sunday, July 31 at noon
Catch Charlie Hope and Little Miss Ann for an awesome mid-summer concert
Los Angeles-based Independent Music Award winner, Charlie Hope, is doing a Chicago stop at Beat Kitchen. Come see this amazing Kindie Music singer with special guest Little Miss Ann. Take a listen online and come and see the show live. Buy tickets here. Beat Kitchen is located at 2100 W. Belmont.

To keep up to date with Concerts for Kids, become their Facebook friend at www.facebook.com/kidsshowschicago.

The Boogers are LIVE at Taste of Lincoln Avenue this Sunday! We'll be on the Fullerton Stage (main stage) starting at 11:00am. Come for the Boogers and stay for Tom Chapin

Save the Date:

Fall Fest Kicks Off the 2011-2012 Concert Series, Sunday, September 11, 11am-4pm

Beat Kitchen Concerts For Kids Series is back and ChiIL Mama's happy to be a sponsor.    We'll be giving away family 4 packs and loads of kindie CDs again.   Check out ChiIL Mama, your best source for live kindie concert footage and original band interviews. 

We'll be continuing Free Ticket Tuesdays and Win A Disc Wednesdays.   Enter for your chance to win.

Music, face painting, crafts and more to start off the fall series

Make Beat Kitchen your place for kindie music fun again every Sunday starting with Fall Fest. On the main stage rock out toddler style to Mary Macaroni (11am), Sarah Jayne Parker (12pm), Baby Take a Bow Hip Hop Demo and Class (1pm), the Hamburglars (2pm) and Mindy Hester & the Time Outs! (3pm). Upstairs there will be balloon animals (after Mary Macaroni's show), face painting, crafts and more. Plus the always delicious food from Beat Kitchen's kitchen will be available. Come make a day of it.

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're particular fans of Mindy Hester & the Time Outs and The Hamburgalars!    Mark your calendars.   Beat Kitchen's got a great line up throughout fall, to help with summer music fest withdrawl.    We've highlighted bands in red whom we've interviewed, featured, video taped live shows for, shot stills with and/or run CD give aways with.    We still have tons of great, new footage in the archives that we'll publish in conjunction with upcoming concerts and a prize cupboard bulging with kindie CDs and great give aways for our readers!

We'll continue to be out on the kindie scene this fall and winter, so if you're a band we haven't met yet, drop us an e-mail at zbluesun@gmail.com and maybe we'll feature you next.

Sun Sept 11: Fall Fest featuring Mary Macaroni, Sarah Jayne Parker, Baby Take a Bow, The Hamburglars and Mindy Hester & The Time Outs!
Sun Sept 18: Andy Roo
Sun Sept 25: The Dreamtree Shakers
Sun Oct 2: Human-Tim + Robot-Tim
Sun Oct 9: Kara Kesselring & Sugarcreek Road
Sun Oct 16: Little Miss Ann Band
Sun Oct 23: The Boogers
Sun Oct 30: Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies special halloween show
Sun Nov 6: Jeanie B! and The Jelly Beans
Sun Nov 13: Suzi Shelton with special guest Little Miss Ann
Sun Nov 20: Karen 4 Kids!
Sun Dec 4: Laura Doherty
Sun Dec 11: Mary Macaroni
Sun Dec 18: Shana Sings! special Holiday Show

Count down to Kidza-Lucky #7!!

This year marks Lollapalooza's 20th anniversary, and we've been fans since those early days.   We've also covered Kidzapalooza with in depth, photo filled features every year since it began here in Chi-Town, 7 years ago.    2011 is no exception.   We cover the kindie music scene year round, but Kidzapalooza is our hands down favorite...our mega music mecca....and we just can't wait to do it again!


 


This week, ChiIL Mama's running a count down to Kidza including our original interview with Keller Williams, who plays kidza Sunday at 2:30pm.   We also have loads of Keller Williams' live show footage and stills that we'll be posting right before and after his Kidza appearance.   Keller has been our featured artist a number of times and ChiIL Mama's given away tickets to his show,  a bunch of his Keller Williams Kids CDs, and his cool hardback book/CD combo.   We're so excited he's joining the Kidza scene this year!


We've been covering Kidza for months, but this week we'll have additional band info and recommendations, photo and video filled previews, and recaps of the best from last Kidza.   In the meantime, browse through ChiIL Mama's YouTube and Vimeo Channels and input Kidzapalooza in the side search bar, for our best from the last 7 years of Kidza.    


We have live footage of Dan Zanes and a great interview with The Verve Pipe, two of our ultra favorites from Kidza last year along with slideshows that capture the essence and energy that permeate Kidzapalooza.   


The new 2011 lineup looks great and we'll be featuring a host of bands new to the kids stage and old favs--especially those where they don't just play for kids, the musicians ARE kids.    July and August at ChiIL Mama are all about the kids.

We will be covering Kidzapalooza and Lollapalooza again this Friday through Sunday and ChiIL Mama will be interviewing 16 year old prodigy, Ruby Jane, and more surprise musicians before and during Kidzapalooza.

Ruby plays Lollapalooza at noon on Friday at the BMI Stage.

RUBY JANE

From Austin, TX, 16-year-old Ruby Jane is the real deal. Born in Dallas and raised in Mississippi, she is a fiddler, singer/songwriter, and bandleader of The Ruby Jane Show, showcasing a mix of country, jazz, bluegrass, and blues. She exhibited a strong connection to music early, starting violin lessons at age 2, and began playing bluegrass when she was 8. Ruby played with Marty Stuart, Rhonda Vincent, Jesse McReynolds, and many others, and became the youngest fiddler in history to play the Grand Ole Opry at age 10. The CBS Evening News ran a feature on Ruby when she was 12, and she played with Big & Rich in front of 60,000 people on ABC’s CMA Music Festival Special. 

Ruby Jane moved to Austin in 2007, playing with Texas greats like Johnny Gimble, Dale Watson, Freddy Powers, and Will Sexton. Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel discovered Ruby while looking for a young fiddle player for his play “A Ride With Bob.” Ruby joined the cast, and through Ray met her childhood hero Willie Nelson during the making of Willie and the Wheel. This led to Ruby touring nationally with both Asleep At The Wheel and Willie Nelson. 

Ruby Jane’s primary focus now is her own band, “The Ruby Jane Show.” 2010 was busy for Ruby. She toured France in August, and in September at 2010′s ACL Fest, she sat in with Blues Traveler, and then drew over 2,000 people for her own performance, being named “MVP of ACL Fest” by the Austin Chronicle. Ruby Jane continues to write songs, improve in technique, and mature in style. She can be found making music in and around Austin, whether sitting in with bands and performers from across the musical spectrum, or leading The Ruby Jane Show. She is warming hearts, embracing audiences, and making everyone wonder just where she is bound. 

www.rubyjane.org

www.therubyjaneshow.com

www.reverbnation.com/therubyjaneshow

http://twitter.com/rubyjaneshow

http://twitter.com/rubyjanesmama

www.myspace.com/rubyjanesmith

www.youtube.com/tigerlovesmith

http://www.facebook.com/rubyjaneshow

http://www.broadtexter.com/rubyjane

So check back in with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi,IL...early and often.