Chicago Bluegrass and Blues - Congress Theater

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues
Wow, look at the artists lined up for this one-day festival on Sat, Nov 22nd.
The David Grisman Quintet
The Avett Brothers
Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials
Mike Mangione
and a bunch of others that I've honestly never heard of but probably should have by now.
(At least I'm being honest!)
It's a long day from 12 noon 'til Midnight at the Congress Theater. At $31, the all-day ticket is a bargain. Click the link above for more info.

Look for the Union Label

Look for the Union Label

A song by Paula Green, music by Malcolm Dodds ©1975, UNITE
Union of Needltrades, Industrial and Textile Employees
(formerly International Ladies' Garment Workers'Union and other unions)

Look for the union label
when you are buying that coat, dress or blouse.

Remember somewhere our union's sewing,
our wages going to feed the kids, and run the house.

We work hard, but who's complaining?
Thanks to the I.L.G. we're paying our way!

So always look for the union label,
it says we're able to make it in the U.S.A.!

Play the MP3 here

IN MEMORIUM

Alex Joseph Polaski, 18, passed away on August 13, 2008, at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyoming, after a brief bout with a stomach virus that developed into pneumonia.

Alex was born in Chicago at Northwestern Hospital on November 17, 1989, and grew up in Oak Park in the Gunderson Historic District. He attended kindergarten and grades 1 through 4 at Ascension School, transferred to Beye School for 5th and 6th grades and then went on to the new Percy Julian Middle School for 7th and 8th grades, graduating in 2004.

While at Beye and Percy Julian, Alex studied clarinet. He played baseball in the Mustang and Bronco leagues during the summer, soccer in the fall and ice hockey during the winters. Alex was also a member of the Cub Scouts while at Ascension and later was in Troop 16 with the Boy Scouts, with which he attended camp-outs at Camp Shin-Go-Beek, explored the Mammoth Caves, and climbed Mt. Rainer during the summer of 2004. He spent time in the summers in Philadelphia where his grandparents lived, often vacationing at Ocean City, New Jersey.

Alex attended Oak Park River Forest High School where his interest in clarinet and saxophone led to his playing in the marching band under the direction of Mr. Scotty Jones. Alex played with the band at the Peach Bowl in 2006. He became known to his friends as "AJ" to some and "Cracker" to others.

Alex developed an interest in cars early in life and it led to his desire to attend Wyotech in Laramie, Wyoming years before his graduation from OPRF in 2008. Before learning to drive, Alex had developed an interest in RC electric and gas cars, racing them at Hobbytown before its closing and at a track in DeKalb, Illinois. He also had a tremendous interest in modern bands and "techno" music, collecting hundreds of CDs and other tunes on his iPod.

Alex had developed a close group of friends, all of whom valued his friendship as part of many close two-way friendships. Many of his friends and some of their parents considered him a great influence in their lives with his ever-present sharp wit, easy infectious smile and willingness to help wherever he was needed.

Upon graduation from OPRF, Alex reached his goal and began attending Wyotech in Laramie, Wyoming in July 2008 after a 12 day European trip that took him to London, Paris and Berlin with his parents. Once at Wyotech, he had begun to take the basic automotive courses until the illness struck him.

All through his short life Alex was known for his passion in all things he did, and he never lost his child-like exuberance and twinkle in his eye. He lived his life dancing on the white lines at the edge of the road and looking like a multi-colored skyrocket along the way! Alex is survived by his parents, Jim and Anne Polaski of Oak Park, and his grandmother, Marjorie Spencer of Westchester, and by his many friends.

Visitation will be at Drechsler Brown and Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion, Oak Park, on Thursday, August 21, from 2-9 pm and the Funeral Mass will be held at Ascension Church, 815 S. East Avenue, Oak Park, on Friday August 22 at 10 am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Lung Association.

Alex's friends have created a Facebook memorial group on which you may write a message.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

2 Banjos, Fiddle + Cello = Mighty Fine Newgrass

Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet
Featuring Béla Fleck
With Casey Driessen and Ben Sollee

Saturday, September 13, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Lund Auditorium
Dominican University

For tickets and information: (708) 488-5000 or dom.edu/pac

See a Newsweek online video feature here.

Jack Swain and Bob Lopardo are performing at 9:30PM as The Righteous Roadrunners & the Broken-Winged Angels Choir (actually, Jack and Bob are the Roadrunners, and they will be accompanied by John Milne and Dean Milano (bass and vocals), who are the Angels); while Jack's daughter is the lead singer and namesake of the 10:30PM act, Roxy Swain.

More info at FitzGeraldsNightclub.com. And remember FitzGeralds is now smoke-free!

Mighty Fine Collection of 78s

A collector of old-time 78rpm records has digitized 3600+ titles from his collection with more than 2350 posted as MP3s. Check it out here: http://78records.cdbpdx.com/

Make Your Own Guitar Exercises Online

GuitarCardio.com: Select Your Exercise

With a simple, point-and-click menu, GuitarCardio lets you make finger exercises with tablature and diagrams you can print easily to use anytime. Select the key, choose a scale (major, minor, pentatonic, etc.), which root string to start and difficulty ... Viola! ... you've got a tablature page to print and play.

Now if somebody made one of these for the Dobro!

Skaggs Family Records :: Cadillac Sky

Click here to stream songs from Cadillac Sky's forthcoming Skagg's Family CD. I stumbled upon this new band on MySpace. They play some mighty fine bluegrass that's steeped in tradition while updating the form with unique arrangements, original harmonic ideas and just plain ol' hot pickin'.

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Bob Huston sent word of a Sunday Jam Session in Chicago at Independence Park, corner of Irving Park and North Hamlin. See the Google Map below:


View Larger Map

We start the month with the annual American Music Festival. Henhouse Prowlers play all night in the SideBar on Wednesday. The wonderful New Orleans-based rockabilly/bluegrass duo Jeff & Vida are in the SideBar all night Saturday.

Headliners of note include Chuck Prophet and Pat McLaughlin on Wed, Susan Cowsill, Terry Evans and Tributosaurus as The Allman Brothers on Thu, Paul Thorn on Fri, and Rosie Flores, Joe Ely with Joel Guzman and Robbie Fulks on Sat.

Now, for the rest of the month.

Tue 6/8 is Open Mic in the Club. Fri 7/11 is Jeremy Spencer (pictured above), the original Fleetwood Mac guitarist. Sat 7/12 brings the Americana singer-songwriter Tift Merritt.

Not to be missed! On Thu 7/24 there's a showcase of Spade Kitty Records artists including Roxy Swain (aka Jack's daughter) in her formal debut with their permanent 5-piece lineup.

Also on the bill is The Righteous Roadrunners and the Broken-Winged Angels Choir, featuring Jack "Gunslinger" Swain himself.

Small Time Singers

Small Time Singers
Originally uploaded by paulmcaleer

It's funny what pops up when you search Flickr for "oak" "park" and "bluegrass." Though I can't agree with the comment about Mary's facial expressions.

Tributosaurus becomes The Allman Bros.

THURSDAY, JULY 3RD
TRIBUTOSAURUS BECOMES THE ALLMAN BROTHERS
at the Fitzgerald's American Music Festival

6615 Roosevelt Road - Berwyn IL
10:15pm - $25 festival admission
Tickets available at the gate - no advance sales

www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

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SAT, JUNE 28TH (NOT FRIDAY)

CAN YOU PICK OUT THE GROSSO IN THIS LINE UP?
Jim and Mary's son Adam is performing at Martyr's with his worldbeat ensemble Euforquestra. More info at Euforquestra.com and Martyrslive.com.

RIP

Utah Phillips - A short jog through a long memory


U. Utah Phillips has passed away in his sleep at 11:30PM PDT on May 23, 2008. Utah has caught the westbound, and I am at a great loss. For myself and my wife Pam, to Joanna and to all Utah's family and friends we express our deepest sympathy. We have lost a truly caring man. - Chris 05/24/08

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Upcoming Tuesdays at Skrine Chops

Tuesdays at Skrine Chops:

• 06/17:  Matthew Francis Andersen croons his own tunes - www.myspace.com/matthewfrancisandersen
• 06/24:  The Frosting Collaborative: Mark Grzelak (Javelinas) & Laura Lopardo - www.myspace.com/thefrostingcollaborative & www.myspace.com/javelinas
• 07/01: Hoyle Brothers – www.myspace.com/thehoylebrothers
• 07/08:  The Frosting Collaborative: Mark Grzelak (Javelinas) & Laura Lopardo - www.myspace.com/thefrostingcollaborative & www.myspace.com/javelinas
• 07/15:  The Northside Southpaws - www.myspace.com/northsidesouthpaws
• 07/22:  The Frosting Collaborative: Mark Grzelak (Javelinas) & Laura Lopardo - www.myspace.com/thefrostingcollaborative & www.myspace.com/javelinas
• 7/29:  Holiday House - www.myspace.com/holidayhouse3

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Concerts & Events | Old Town School of Folk Music

"Few bands have produced instrumental virtuosos who can follow the lead of newgrass icons like Sam Bush, Tony Rice and David Grisman. The Waybacks, on the other hand, feature hot pickers who are destined to become revered new-acousticians" - Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Concerts & Events | Old Town School of Folk Music

Friday, June 20, 2008 | 8:00 PM
Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall :: 4544 N Lincoln Ave.

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Congratulations to Rachel Baiman

Write Rachel a note of post-graduate well wishes on her MySpace page.

Master Class at Val's Halla with Corky Siegel

Val's Halla :: What's New

May 31 at 3:30 pm we are honored to host a Master Class by the master of all things musical - CORKY SIEGEL. Corky has a new book out called LET YOUR MUSIC SOAR and will come to the Val's halla Stage, ready to critique your talent and help you present it to the world --- a rare opportunity for teachers and students.

Call 708 524 1004 for more info.