ChiIL Picks: Summerfest Milwaukee Closing This Weekend

Our neighbors to the north know how to throw a party.   We've been promoting Chi-town bands up at Milwaukee's Summerfest, all along.   This weekend is your last shot at Summerfest 2013, and there are more sweet bands on our radar playing there.

We're still waiting on final confirmation, but we plan to head up ourselves and shoot stills this Sunday.   If you haven't made it up there yet, go already.   This is your last chance till next year!


Bands On Our Radar:

There's a wide range of musicians, genres & action, so there's literally something for everyone.   Check out the full weekend lineup here.

Saturday Favorites:

John Mayer 
311 
Buddy Guy 
Briar Rabbit 

Division BMX Stunt Team


Sunday Favorites:

Bad Religion
Archie Powell & The Exports
Future Laureates (Tiki Hut Stage--small stage located on Summerfest map, it is by the lake, at 6PM)

Eagles

Jimmy Eat World
Trampled by Turtles

Division BMX Stunt Team

• EMERGING ARTISTS SERIES

The U.S. Cellular® Connection Stage with Leinenkugel’s and FM 102/1 will once again host the Emerging Artists Series, highlighting emerging talent each evening from 3:00 - 7:30 pm. Check Summerfest.com for information on nightly competitions, Text-2-Screen™ technology, music downloads and much more. Vote for your favorite band each day at Summerfest!

• LUCILLE'S PIANO BAR

Lucille’s Piano Bar is open from Noon - 11:30 pm daily. Located near the South Gate, patrons can enjoy recorded music from Noon - 4:00 pm and piano performers from 4:00 - 11:30 pm, with the Dueling Pianos show starting at approximately 7:30 pm nightly. Additionally, there will be band performances on Saturday, June 29 and Saturday, July 6 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.

Our ChiIL Picks For Summerfest:

• Sunday, July 7

Join hundreds of Fest-Fans to help form the Summertfest Smile in Urban Park on the last day of Summerfest 2013! 

If you have already registered:Follow the signs to the appropriate check-in table, where you will receive your red Summerfest t-shirt. You will then be instructed where to stand to form the Summerfest Smile.

If you did not pre-register:Arrive by 11:30 and queue in the "Walk-Ups" line. You will be registered and directed where to stand. IF YOU DID NOT PRE-REGISTER, YOU MUST WEAR A RED SHIRT TO PARTICIPATE! 

After checking-in, Summerfest staff will direct you to form the Summerfest smile. 

**Sunday is also Summerfest Fan Appreciation Day, and all attendees are admitted FREE until Noon. All participants will be able to enter the grounds for free.**

Presented by:

SUMMERFEST BIG SMILE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED BY FORWARDDENTAL

Help “The World’s Largest Music Festival” smile on in a big way! Register online to participate, then come down to Summerfest on Sunday, July 7 to pick up a red Smile On t-shirt and help create the Summerfest smile with hundreds of fest-fans. Participants will form the smile, be photographed from above and be a part of Summerfest history. More Info

• New for 2013, recycle to help keep the Big Gig® clean and get a cool t-shirt!  Patrons that visit the South Gate Information Booth during Summerfest and pledge to “Go Green at the Big Gig®” can pick up a bag to fill with recyclable cups, bottles and aluminum pints. Return the full bag to the same spot and get a cool t-shirt for keeping the festival clean!  Visit the South Gate Information Booth or #SFLive Lounge for more details.

Family Friendly Fun:

• VERLO MATTRESS SKYGLIDER

Take a ride on the Skyglider, a true family favorite! Located high above the main walkway, this gentle ride provides passengers with a scenic view of the Summerfest Grounds, Lake Michigan and the entertainment below. One-way and round-trip fares available.

• KLEMENT'S SAUSAGE PRESENTS THE ELIZABETH "BO" BLACK FAMILY FOUNTAIN WITH B93.3

Your day at Summerfest would not be complete without a stop at the “Splash Pad.” Kids of all ages splash and play the day away while keeping cool. In addition, each day from 1:00 - 2:00 pm the Racing Sausages will be available for photo opportunities (weather permitting). Listen to B93.3 for special Summerfest promotions.

• KOHL'S CAPTIVATION STATION

Returning in 2013, Kohl's Captivation Station, created in partnership with Kohl's Cares, will offer educational and musical experiences for children and families, featuring: 

• Discovery World - Kohl's Design It! Mobile Lab
• Milwaukee Art Museum - Kohl's Color Wheels
• Penfield Children's Center - Kohl's Building Blocks Workshop
• Milwaukee County Zoo - Kohl's Wild Theater

See the complete activity calendar >

• PADDLEBOAT WATER EXPERIENCE

Celebrate Summerfest on the water! Presented by Badger Meter, this family friendly activity provided by Lakeshore Paddle Sports will give patrons the opportunity to relax and take in views of the festival and downtown Milwaukee. From Noon – 7:00 pm each day, paddle around part of the lagoon for 30 minutes in boats that hold up to four (4) people. Located at the boat dock on the north end of the grounds, this is a can’t miss experience!

HELP LOCALLY--CHIRP Radio and Potbelly In Lincoln Square 9/13

Dear CHIRP fan,

CHIRP Radio invites you to have dinner with us at Potbelly Sandwich Shop at 4709 N. Lincoln this Thursday evening, September 13, from 5-8 p.m. During that time, Potbelly in Lincoln Square will donate 25% of all their sales to CHIRP! Swing by and grab a sandwich or salad, or bring the whole family for a fun night out! We have a great lineup of local musicians playing live throughout the evening. Here's the schedule: 5:30-6 p.m. Abbi Rajasekhar 6:45-7:15 p.m. Briar Rabbit 7:30-8 p.m. Poor Elvis We'll also be raffling off a cool Lincoln Square prize package, including gift certificates from the Old Town School of Folk Music, Laurie's Planet of Sound, On the Route Bikes, and more. We hope to see you there!

Briar Rabbit, Damn Choir and Crane Wives at The Burlington 12-16-11

It was sweet to finally hear all of these guys live, as their reputation preceded them.  Check out our prior coverage here.   It was also our first look at The Burlington's relatively new "back room" concert space in Logan Square (3425 W. Fullerton).   The lights and sound were nothing to write home about, but the intimate space is reminiscent of a basement party at someone's home, in an entirely good way.   They also have a respectable beer selection.   There did seem to be a force field beyond gravity at work in the center of the room, as multiple beer filled glasses hit the floor and shattered in about the same spot, hours apart. 

The Damn Choir 

The band has a unique sound and good chemistry.   Katy Myers on cello was a particular stand out. 

 

Here's the scoop from their site:  
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Genres: Folk / pop / Alternative
Members: Gordon Robertson, Katy Myers, Steve Stokes, Ryan Farnham, Jack McClain

The Damn Choir's use of guitar, cello, keyboards, vocals and drums, along with Gordon Robertson's introspective lyrics, create songs that range from meandering and melancholic to pulsing and vengeful.

The Damn Choir began in January of 2009 on a freezing and fated night in Chicago. Gordon Robertson sat slumped at the bar, drowning his post-horrific-break-up dejected self in whiskey and happened to meet cellist Katy Myers. Although at first Myers rejected Robertson's musical advances, eventually she gave in and agreed to give him a chance.

Within weeks the two were musically inseparable and involved in an (arguably unhealthy) co-dependant friendship. After playing for months under the name, “Gordon and Katy,” the two recorded an album, re-named the band, and began the journey that would lead them to eventually recruiting Sherri Stouffer on keyboards and vocals, and Ryan Farnham on Percussion. The four-piece creates a sound that rises and falls in harmony with the spirit of Robertson’s angst-filled lyrics.   Check 'em out here on Facebook.

This was Briar Rabbit's music video release party and when audio issues prevented the sound from playing on the grand unveiling, the audience prevailed upon the band to play it live.   So what could have been a disastrous derailment turned into serendipity.   His sound is described as folk/indie/pop and you can check it out by clicking on the link above.

You'll have a chance to see Briar Rabbit live again in the near future at one of our fav. local venues, Schubas, along with more great musicians.


Starting on Monday, January 9 2012, Clip Art will headline a weekly residency at Schuba’s Tavern. Each week will feature unique sets, special guests and the finest opening acts Chicago has to offer. Clip Art is led by Andy Rosenstein, keyboard player for JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound.

All shows are 8PM/$6/18+

1/9 - w/ Algebro + Any Kind
1/16 - w/ Dick Prall + Paper Thick Walls
1/23 - w/ Briar Rabbit + The Sometimes Family
1/30 - w/ Baby Teeth + Jennifer Hall

 Photo Credit:  Brad Meese