Wicker Park Fest Saturday & Sunday July 23 & 24th

Van Ghost at House of Blues 6-11-11

Wicker Park Fest gets more impressive each year.  Saturday July 23rd, we're looking forward to Purple Apple , School of Rock and Loyal Divide.








We have a video interview with the talented kids in Purple Apple, concert footage from their Schubas show, and stills coming soon.  The whole month of July is all about the kids.


Check out our Van Ghost shots from House of Blues a few weeks back.   They're a must see at Wicker Park Fest at 6:15 on Sunday July 24th.   They played HOB with our friends in How Far to Austin, Ben Ripani, Great Divide and Katie Todd.   Check out all of their websites for summer appearances.  

Wicker Park Fest also features 

loads of kids' fun like the Psychobaby Tent Featuring Rock and Roll faux hawks and hair streaks.

a Petting Zoo Noon til 4:00 pm sponsored by Children's Learning Place & MyMomMemories.com

Face Painting by Chicago Avenue Salon
Cookie Decorating sponsored by Square One Organics
Bounce House sponsored by CLEOS & Psychobaby
Arts & Crafts Station sponsored by Easel Arts Studio
 Nature Tent by Grand Street Gardens
Dunk Tank sponsored by 1st Ward, with special guest 1st Ward Alderman Moreno!

Tot Spot - sponsored by The Children's Learning Place

Check Out West Fest-Especially The Talented Kids in The Socialists and Purple Apple

West Fest is one of our annual favs, as far as neighborhood street fests go!   This year they've got 2 bands full of waaaay under agers, and these kids can ROCK!    Check 'em out here on ChiIL Mama, where we're featuring kids in some of the best bands you've never heard of throughout the whole month of July.    Then check 'em out NEXT weekend at West Fest.

Saturday & Sunday
July 9th & 10th, 2011

12-10pm

on Chicago Avenue between Damen and Wood

There is something for everyone at West Fest, the Chicago street fair that reflects the eclectic persona of its West Town environs. Held annually on Chicago Avenue at Damen, the two-day party features live cutting edge music booked by Empty Bottle Presents, the BassbythePound DJ Stage, Kid Fest with kid activities and entertainment, Pet Fest with pet product vendors and dog activities for charity, plus a multitude of booths from popular neighborhood restaurants, retailers, and artists. What makes this fest unique is that it’s locally planned and managed by the West Town Chamber of Commerce, thus the emphasis is all-things “local,” from the food to the talent.

The Music

The biggest difference between West Fest and other cookie-cutter Chicago street festivals is the high quality live music on the main stage booked by Empty Bottle Presents. West Fest is all about up and coming local and national artists playing original live music. West Fest also features a DJ stage, and this year Derrick Carter will close things out on the DJ stage Sunday, July 10th. 

Click here for the complete live music line up.

*For talent photos, bios or interviews, contact West Fest publicist Jody Grimaldi at 630/470-0044:

The Activities

Kid Fest (on Wolcott & Rice): Join us for the 6th annual Kids Fest held in conjunction with West Fest July 9 & 10, Noon to 6 pm - located on Wolcott Ave between Chicago Ave and Rice. A jammed packed two-day family fun event. Come enjoy entertainment on the ‘Boundary Tavern & Grille’ family stage or take in a round of mini-golf, or enjoy bounce houses, pony rides, face painters, games, crafts and lots more. All proceeds to benefit improvements at 3 local playlots; Snowberry, Superior and Honore. For more information, please call (773) 960-7212.

Pet Fest (near Wolcott at Chicago): Each year West Fest features another large ‘fest within a fest’ dedicated exclusively to pet product vendors, canine bathing pools, and plenty of pet activities for charity. This year, West Town's own Doggy Style Pet Shop will be hosting a Suds For Strays dog wash with all proceeds to benefit Chicago’s no-kill animal shelter Alive Rescue. Alive Rescue is a no-kill rescue that uses a wide circle of foster families as temporary homes while permanent ones are being found. Their goal for 2011 is to rescue over 100 dogs from high-kill shelters. For just $10, your dog can go from hot and dirty to cool and clean. In addition, Doggy Style Pet Shop pledges to match every donation made during the Suds For Strays dog wash up to $1500. 

$5 donation requested for admittance to West Fest offsets the costs of the event and benefits local non-profits providing services for the immediate neighborhood: the West Town Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Park Advisory Council which funds improvements to local West Town parks and three local play lots.

Live Music Lineup

Main Stage

Chicago Avenue at Damen Avenue

programmed by Empty Bottle Presents.

Saturday, July 9th

8:30pm Local H

7:00pm Hollows

5:30pm Bare Mutants

4:00pm Liturgy

2:30pm No Joy

1:00pm The Socialists 

(July is all about the kids. ChiIL Mama has an original video interview and tons of live footage of The Socialists' set at Empty Bottle that will be up soon.)

Sunday, July 10th

8:30pm King Khan featuring Gris Gris Sound

7:00pm Syl Johnson featuring The Uptown

5:30pm Those Darlins

4:00pm A Lull

2:30pm Team Band

1:00pm Purple Apple

(July is all about the kids. ChiIL Mama has an original video interview and tons of live footage of Purple Apple's set at Schubas that will be up soon.)

BP Dj Stage

Chicago Avenue at Wood Street

with the VOID sound system

Saturday, July 9th

Juan Maclean Dj Set 8:30-10

Drop The Lime 7-8:30

Dark Wave Disco 6-7:00

Zebo 5-6:00

Pickel & Dj Intel 4-5:00

Justin Reed 3-4:00

Sunday, July 10th

Derrick Carter 8:30-10

Diz 7:30-8:30

Jesse de la Pena 6:30-7:30

John Simmons 5:30-6:30

Shaka 23 4:30-5:30

Striz 3:30-4:30

Win A Disc Wednesday-Steve Weeks, Dandelion CD Winner & New Album Alphabet Songs Vol. 111

Big congrats to this week's winner, Teresa O.    She and her family like to rock out to Michael Jackson.   You've won the award winning CD, Dandelion, by Steve Weeks.   Check out his website HERE for tunes, tour dates and info on his brand new release, Alphabet Songs Volume 111.    







For July, we're doing something a bit different for Wednesdays.   July is all about the kids, leading up to Kidzapalooza.   We'll be featuring loads of live footage and interviews with real life kids who are rockin', rollin' and really have gigs!   Many are writing their own songs.    Others are doing some amazing covers.    


We'll also have 4 free tickets for a lucky family to check out School of Rock All Stars at Schubas on 7/30.   So check in with ChiIL Mama early and often, for reviews, interviews, news and additional great give aways throughout the month.

Great Midwest Ukefest THIS Saturday-Miss Ann Family 4 Pack Winner Announced

This Saturday from 11am-11pm, come on out for a kid friendly, rockin' good time, for all ages.    Little Miss Ann gets things off to a sweet start at 11am.   ChiIL Mama's family 4 pack winner is Jen M.!

The Details:
The 2nd Annual Great Midwest Ukefest

Chief O'Neill's Pub and Restaurant

3471 N. Elston Chicago, IL
$10.00

Chicago Ukulele Cabaret Presents:

The 2nd Annual Great Midwest Ukefest!

From Traditional to Extreme and everything in-between

The Chicago Ukulele Cabaret will kick off-July 4th weekend with a 4-stringed bang at its 2nd Annual Festival. Part curated showcase and part open-mic, this all day fest expands the cabaret show, allowing everyone to participate while showcasing several of our regular acts in full sets.

As always, the show will offer something for everyone, from traditional players, to classical virtuosos, to full band and indie rock interpretations.

Building on the success of last year's outing, organizers this year are adding a morning show for kids featuring Little Miss Ann while doubling the open mic session in the afternoon. The curated evening portion will feature full sets from perennial cabaret favorites such as Lanialoha Lee, Heavy Boxes, Bone and Bell, Jeffrey Weisfeld Combo, and many more! In addition to 11 hours of live music the indoor/outdoor event will offer BBQ, Raffles, and much more!


All are welcome to perform during our four hour open mic segment from 1:00-5:00 PM.   Interested acts for the open-mic should RSVP to ukechicago@gmail.com

Proceeds will benefit The Intonation Music Workshop-a pretty rockin' awesome local non-profit organization, providing band-based music education to children in Chicago's under-served neighborhoods.    Check 'em out on FB, Twitter and their web site for videos, upcoming events and more.


Click it for your tickets right HERE or get them at the door.   Chief O'Neil's has an awesome outdoor space and tasty food, and uke can't beat the music!   You'll have a great time and support a great cause at the same time.

Girls Rock Chicago-LIVE at Metro

Girls Rock Chicago Show-Octopie-LIVE at Metro


Sunday was the grand finale show for the first session of Girls Rock Chicago Camp at Metro.    We had the great opportunity to bring in a camera and audio gear and catch it all for posterity.   Unfortunately we had to leave town on a travel assignment--literally from the venue, so it'll be a little while before we can get everyone's bands edited and posted.     But we promise all 75 girls and 18 bands are comin', and will be on the Girls Rock site, here at ChiIL Mama, and on YouTube for all the bands to have and enjoy.    We were so impressed with the great energy and creative kids, counselors and volunteers!!


For now, we've just got a rough cut of Sagezilla's band, Octopie, up on YouTube, as a teaser of things to come.    Great job everyone.    Oh yeah....as if there was ever any doubt...   GIRLS do indeed ROCK.

i ♥ Faces--A Touch of Whimsy

This photo is from the kids' end of the year play with Lil Buds Theatre.   They wrote, directed, and acted in their own show, and created their own costumes.   This is Du-Jay as a Mythical Griffin.    


We've been rockin' the imagination play this summer.   Our kids are presently mixing potions, creating multiple clue hunts, and playing pirates on the hammock ship.   Nothing says whimsy like kids with great imaginations.

Mellow Yellow Monday--Remembering Alia Serendipity

Alia Serendipity's "Memories Box" by Sage

June 21st marked the summer solstice, but it was also a special day in our family.   Although our eldest dog was a foundling "alley score" as a 3 week old pup, nursed on a bottle, and of unknown actual date or origin of birth, this was the day we always celebrated Alia Serendipity's birthday.    She would have been 17 this week, but we had to put her to sleep April 1st.

Alia was a special part of our lives for nearly 18 years.   She was present at both of our children's home births and they chose to be there for her death.    On Tuesday we took time to remember her.   I'd suggested gathering photos, writing poetry, writing or sharing our memories of her....    However Sage had her own ideas for how to mourn and celebrate her four legged family member.    

For Mellow Yellow Monday, here's Sage's "Memories Box" containing Alia's canister of ashes, toy likenesses of Alia and Xanthus-her lifelong Husky/Malamute buddy who died at 13 back in 2005, and a leopard box Auntie Maia sent from Portland for memories of Alia.   Sage also included some of her favorite toys and treats (which our husky mix rescue puppy, Igraine the Brave or Iggy Pup, happily ate later.)   

Allie's all time favorite odd dog food was clementine oranges, but we were out of them.   We'll include those when we bury her ashes in the back yard, under our Red Osier Dogwood Tree (AKA:  the Bubby and Ubu Bush) where all our past dogs are remembered.   Their ashes go back into the earth and their collars and tags hang from the branches.   When we hear them clink and chime, the kids say the ghost dogs are running with the wind.

For our solstice birthday remembrance, Sage also broke out her guitar and made up a wonderfully haunting song for Alia.    After the first 2 days of Girl's Rock Camp, Sage had already really taken to guitar and was enjoying writing her own songs and expanding on the new chords she's learned.

We'll have more Alia stories and photos in the weeks to come.   She was a true character and a well loved part of our family.

Click below for more Mellow Yellow glimpses from around the world.

Play Locally: Green Music Fest, Summer Sessions on The Square, Pride Parade, Girls Rock at Metro, And More

All Weekend

Saturday

Summer Sessions on the Square kicks off our 3rd season on Saturday from 

5:30-8:30 at the Centennial Monument (Milwaukee/Logan/Kedzie intersection)! 

Between Summer Sessions and the Empty Bottle/I AM Logan Square Music Series, the monument is THE place for free summer music!

This Saturday:

THIN HYMNS
L'ORCHESTRE SUPER VITESSE
RABBLE RABBLE

Summer Sessions provides neighbors of all ages a casual evening of music and 
art. We'll have an interactive art activityfor the kids, and immediately 
following the music, The Comfort Station (across the street) will perform a live 
puppet show in their Milwaukee-facing window! 

Bring a picnic basket or pick up some tasty buns from local vendors, Bun Pow 
(they often have a vegan option)!

Summer Sessions on the Square

The Logan Square Comfort Station will be performing this awesome puppet show in their Milwaukee-facing window upon conclusion of Summer Sessions tonight. All we have to do is turn around!

THE BALLAD OF LULA DEL RAY is a contemporary shadow puppet show following the journey of a young girl in search of something that is not as far away as it seems. Directed by Julia Miller Adapted from text by Brendan Hill Shadow Puppets and Puppeetering...

Sunday

The 42nd Annual Gay Pride Parade is stepping off at noon at Halsted and Belmont.   All parade route info and details are HERE.    This year's multicultural theme is pride around the world.   We've always taught our own kids tolerance and respect for other people's choices.   Parents and families come in all shapes, sizes and styles.    We have more than a few friends with two moms, gay donor dads, or both.    They are some of the most devoted, wonderful parents we know.    Nobody should fear for their lives, their human rights, their jobs or their dignity because of a lifestyle choice!    We'll be there as straight allys.    

   

During each session of Girls Rock! Chicago’s summer camps, 75 girls will pick up an instrument, form a band, write and record an original song, and perform it on stage—all in one week!

This Sunday, come see the newest class of GR!C grads - session one campers including ChiIL Mama's own Sagezilla -in a performance at the legendary Metro. That’s 18 bands guaranteed to rock your socks off, PLUS young DJs fresh out of DJ camp. As always, this event is ALL ages. Bring the kids and let them dance in our reserved shorty section while sharing in the inspiration.

This sessions band’s include your new favorites: Octopie, Flaming Mustaches, The Recycled Hearts, Corduroy Converse, LOL, Black Cats, Painting the Roses Red and many more!

Sunday, June 26th

3pm - 5pm

Metro

3730 N. Clark

Chicago, IL

$7 in advance, $8 at the door.

Kids under 8 are admitted FREE

Buy tickets now!

Sunday, June 26 · 7:30pm - 11:00pm

3160 CLARK PIANO BAR

3160 N. Clark St

Chicago, IL

I've known Melissa for over 15 years and she's a fabulous singer.   If you need a parents night out, come check out her show this Sunday.    No cover-2 drink min.

Melissa says:   Peter and I think you will be so ready for some funny songs and a place to sit down after the parade! Come take a load off and let's keep the celebration going!!! PRIIDE BABY, PRIDE! Bring your book singers and we'll have you up for a song or two meow! See you then! NO COVER! 2 drink min.