The Local Tourist is Ten and You Get the Gifts!

Save the date and buy your ticket today...

THE LOCAL TOURIST CELEBRATES TEN YEARS WITH PASSPORT TO CHICAGO 

Each Passport comes complete with a CTA day pass and one free ride from Uber, the new car service that’s taken Chicago by storm. Those who purchase their passports in advance will also get an “I’m A Local Tourist” sling bag for free.


Passport To Chicago also provides exclusive access to the Official After Party. Chicago hot spot Public House is hosting the event with a complimentary premium cocktail and offering their late night menu at half-price. Attendees will mix and mingle with TLT’s host committee, a collection of some of Chicago’s most influential people, including ChiIL Mama.


The celebration doesn’t end there.  This all-inclusive package is just $35. For more information on TLTen and Passport To Chicago, including beneficiary charities and businesses, visit http://passporttochicago.com.


Over the last ten years The Local Tourist has grown from a business directory of River North into a comprehensive resource that covers the neighborhoods of Chicago and beyond. Millions have visited the site to figure out places to go and things to do. Robust content is added daily by the TLTeam of contributors, by businesses posting information about what they offer, and by locals and tourists sharing their valuable opinions, comments, and photos.


To celebrate a decade online, The Local Tourist is inviting visitors and residents to tour Chicago like a Local Tourist with “Passport To Chicago”. On June 3 they’ll enjoy exclusive events and deals at destinations all over Chicago, getting their pages stamped at each place they visit.


There are so many places to go and things to do that there's no way to do them all in one day. That's why the Passport To Chicago is good for a whole year! From June 4, 2012 to May 31, 2013, these businesses are offering even more special discounts.

 
All of this exploring is also for a good cause. The Local Tourist is donating a portion of every Passport to participating local charities!
What:  A Roving Celebration of all things Chicago! Each “Local Tourist” will receive a Passport To Chicago and will travel the city, getting pages stamped at each place they visit.


When:  June 3, 2012 “Destinations” all over Chicago!
The day culminates with an awesome after party at Public House
Beginning June 4 attendees will bring their Passport To Chicago to participating locations for special discounts or privileges!


Each passport comes with a fold-out map of participating venues, a description of each venue’s offer, and a CTA day pass. Uber will also provide each attendee with a ride in their car service.


Each Passport purchased online receives a free “I’m A Local Tourist” sling bag.
A portion of every passport is being donated to local charities that have been featured on Charity Chat!



Participating Businesses: 
Absolutely Segway Berghoff's Bleeding Heart Bakery Sideshow Blue Frog's Local 22 Bobby's Bike Hike Brasserie By LM Cafe Con Leche Candyality Casey Moran's Chicago Architecture Foundation Chicago Children's Museum Chicago Elevated Chicago Pizza Tours D'Noche Dank Haus Deuces & The Diamond Fitness Formula Club Frill Hot Tix Jokes & Notes Landshark Beer Garden Laugh Factory M Burger Mad River Bar & Grille Mars Gallery Pizzeria Via Stato Redhead Piano Bar Riva Rockit Bar & Grill Rockit Burger Bar Simply Thalia Sunda Thalia Spice Tour Through A Lens Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar
 
Beneficiary Charities:
Advocates for Adolescent Mothers Aparecio Foundation Aspire of Illinois Bear Necessities Chicago Photography Center Connections for Abused Women & Their Children GiGi's Playhouse Girls In The Game Global Alliance of Artists Imerman Angels Kartemquin Films One Brick
PAVE Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment Purple Asparagus The Red Pump Project

Count Down To SCamp-Chi-Town Favs

ChiIL Live Shows original shots of Cornmeal's late night set at Summer Camp 2011

*Cornmeal Summer Camp Sets Thurs 9:30pm, Fri 6pm, Sat 2:30 all on the Sunshine Stage

Tomorrow's pre-party day at Summer Camp Music Fest and we'll be there to bring the whole "four day weekend" to you in all it's colorful glory!    Here's a final few of our Chi-Town favs to look out for.   Look for our earlier pre-fest features on the following:

Midwest Hype, Van Ghost

Click here for set times, band bios, video clips and more

Chi-Town Bands Rock:

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound , Mathien, Indigosun, Cornmeal, Sexfist, Henhouse Prowlers, This Must Be The Band, Jaik Willis, Greensky Bluegrass,  Future Rock, Common, Chicago Farmer.

Highly Recommended:

*JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

Summer Camp Set Sat 1:30-Starshine Stage

*Mathien
Summer Camp Set Friday 9-10pm at E. Camping Stage 
 
We're working on setting up an interview with Mathien.   Although we haven't heard them live we have it on good authority they're ones to watch. 

 

The nucleus of the band was formed at Southern Illinois University Carbondale around the magnetic personality of singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Mathien. Bassist Mike Schiff and drummer Aaron Bouslog were initially drawn to Mathien’s sharply observed lyrics and eclectic musical influences. After signing with Midwest Music Group, relocating to Chicago and releasing their debut “Hello Again” the band took to the road and became a formidable live act selling out venues in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. 

In the fall of 2010 with the addition of keyboardist Peter Wilkins the band returned to the studio to begin work on their latest release “The Night I was an Alpha Male”. The album is available in CD format through the band’s official website here.

X-Flight Wing Coaster Xtreme Xcitement at 6 Flags Great America

Check out X-Flight--the innovative wing coaster, new for 2012, right here at 6 Flags Great America.  ChiIL Mama was invited to the ribbon cutting and had the opportunity to interview Hank Salemi, Six Flags Great America Park President, Park V.P., a professional Air Show Wing Walker and one of the first wave of riders who also writes for TLT.  Check out our 4 exclusive interviews along with original footage of the opening ceremony/ribbon cutting and X-Flight in action above.

It was so much fun to be one of the first to check out X-Flight, shoot the coaster, and hear everyone's take on the best spot to sit on the ride. Join us for an exhilarating sneak peek, then go ride the ride this summer. X-Flight is xtreme fun.

Revolutionary Wing Coaster officially open to the public at Six Flags Great America

Get ready to take flight! Six Flags Great America has added a state-of-the-art roller coaster for the 2012 season. X-Flight
is a ground-breaking wing coaster featuring cutting-edge technology.
The Gurnee theme park has the first wing coaster
in the U.S. 

X-Flight takes riders on a flight that defies gravity, with no track above or below them. Riders sit in pairs, suspended on either side of the track with their feet dangling, as they begin their climb up a 12-story plunge launching them into speeds of 55mph through 3,000 feet of intense drops and five inversions, including a barrel roll and zero-g roll. One of the most adrenaline-pumping
moments on the ride is an extreme fly-through where the coaster speeds
straight toward a structure, before making a last-minute vertical flip
to fit through a keyhole cut-out.

“Six Flags Great America has a long history of introducing legendary
rides and first-of-its-kind roller coasters,” said Hank Salemi, Six
Flags Great America Park President. “What makes X-Flight
so unique is soaring through 3,000 feet of high-speed drops, loops and
turns, with nothing above or below you. The coaster’s train actually
looks like a plane with seats suspended on either side of the track.
It’s like nothing you have ever experienced before. We are thrilled to
bring this revolutionary wing coaster to our guests for the 2012
season.”

X-Flight is designed by acclaimed Swiss manufacturer
Bolliger & Mabillard, who also designed Six Flags Great America
favorites: Raging Bull, SUPERMAN: Ultimate Flight and BATMAN: The Ride. The wing coaster will make its home in the County Fair section of the park.

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and
offers fun for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters,
a free 20-acre water park, spectacular shows, a nighttime illuminated
parade and three children’s themed areas. Soar on X-Flight
all season long with a 2012 Season Pass, now on sale for $64.99 for
four or more. Buy now and get a 2012 Season Parking Pass free. Sale ends
October 30, 2011. For more information including video of X-Flight and all the upcoming 2012 Six Flags attractions, visit www.sixflags.com/2012news.

# # #

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional
theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks
across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the
company’s flagship location, just celebrated its 50th anniversary season
in 2011.

SCamp Countdown-Van Ghost @SummerCampFest

 Summer Camp Music Fest:
*Van Ghost is playing this Thursday 5-6pm & Friday 4:30-5:30pm at the Starshine Stage both days.* 

ChiIL Live Shows has shot Van Ghost at so many great shows over the past year.   They're a lot of fun to see live, especially when they jam out with major players like Allie Kral from Cornmeal.   Even on their Allie free gigs, they're worth a listen, just to see uber talented Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band)!   


Here at ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama, we gave away free tixs to their House of Blues gig and to Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Fest, where they played The Congress Theatre.   We also gave away free tickets to Northcoast Music Fest where they rocked the stage and we got more smokin' shots.   We recommend checkin' em out at Summer Camp this weekend.

Download their EP right HERE for free

Click the links below for more ChiIL Live Shows' Van Ghost Shots

◦    Allie Kral LIVE at Summer Camp 2011 
◦  Van Ghost-Mellow Yellow Monday HOB Feature

Here's their bio from the Summer Camp site:

ARTIST WEBSITE

With an exquisite 5 piece band flavored with psychedelic guitars, an earth shattering rhythm section, & haunting guy/girl harmonies, the band played it’s debut show before a packed audience at Chicago’s revered Metro in January 2008. It was an auspicious beginning for one of world’s most promising new acts.

For nearly a decade Michael Harrison Berg of Van Ghost was a behind the scenes type of guy. Having poured his energy into his ventures as a concert promoter and band manager, little was left over for personal creative endeavors.

That all changed in 2007 when Berg’s close friends encouraged him to revisit the acoustic guitar he put down in his younger days and asked him to perform a song at their wedding. Melding the inspiration from the many talented bands he has worked with and his own passion for music, the singer returned to his roots. He began writing songs, drawing from his life experiences, creating a heartfelt and staggeringly honest perspective. After building up a solid repertoire of poppy folk ballads, gritty Americana tunes and classic rock laced jams, Berg called on his dear friend Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), and they collectively assembled an all-star cast of musicians and named the project Van Ghost.

With an exquisite 5 piece band flavored with psychedelic guitars, an earth shattering rhythm section, & haunting guy/girl harmonies, the band played it’s debut show before a packed audience at Chicago’s revered Metro in January 2008. It was an auspicious beginning for one of world’s most promising new acts.

Following up their debut record, “Melodies For Lovers”, on Split Red Records, the band headed down to Nashville, TN to begin the tracking of their next release “The Domino Effect” for Dustimmoff Records (a start up label with Split Red owner Timm Martin & 8 time Grammy winning Producer/Engineer/Mixer Justin Niebank). With Justin Niebank at the helm the bands sound continues to develop and expand. Berg has established that he is as comfortable operating under the spotlight as he is behind the curtain. With Van Ghost, he sets out to inspire music fans the same as other artists have inspired him – one song at a time.

EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS NEW ALBUM STREAM

Check out ChiIL Live Shows original live show shots of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros from Chicago Bluegrass & Bluesfest 2011 right here. 

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are currently streaming their forthcoming album in its entirety via NPR Music. Listen to the band's second release a week before its available everywhere on May 29th.

NPR First Listen: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/20/152292529/first-listen-edward-sharpe-and-the-magnetic-zeros-here
iTunes pre-order: http://bit.ly/esmzhere  (includes an instant download of "That's What's Up")
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/edward-sharpe-mag-zeros

*CHI, IL LIVE SHOWS ALERT--CATCH EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS LIVE THIS WEEK AT THE RIVIERA, MAY 24TH

Pitchfork Music Fest New Additions, Free Kids Under 10 and More

ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama has been rockin' Pitchfork bands all year.  We've been sharing their tours, forwarding their free downloads and posting their new videos all year long.   We've also been shooting their live shows in Chi-Town and shooting original band video interviews.   Now it's just about time again for summer festival season, so get your Pitchfork tickets and come get your groove on and rock Union Park.   

Last year, my son Du-Jay who was 10, had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and interview a number of the musicians at Pitchfork himself!   He came with a class full of kids from 826CHI, one of our fav non profits for free creative writing classes.  Pitchfork's known for hosting awesome info booths for most of our city favorites like Girls Rock Chicago, 826CHI, and roller derby!   They have an excellent, eclectic assortment of crafts, collectable posters, vinyl and more.   And the food booths are a multicultural bonanza of tasty treats.


**The best news for families is kids under 10 are FREE with a paying adult!!   Put those little tax deductions to work saving you even more green and come rock out with the punk kin.**

We've gone AND taken the kids just about every year and they have a blast!!


Here's what Pitchfork has to say:

In its seventh year, the Pitchfork Music Festival continues to be one of the most well regarded and exceptional festivals in the country.  Consistently praised for its discerning lineup, inviting and laid back environment, reasonable prices, wide array of activities, and much more, there is very good reason why people across the world return year after year! This year’s event, happening Friday, July 13 – Sunday, July 15 at Chicago’s Union Park, is now less than two months away. A limited number of single day tickets for each day of the fest are still available for $45 at www.ticketweb.com. As previously noted, prices have stayed the same this year!

We are thrilled to be adding two more bands to this year’s fest -- Japandroids will be playing Friday, and Chromatics will perform on Saturday! As previously announced, this year’s excellent lineup introduces a creative range of emerging bands while honoring already beloved and internationally renowned acts, including A$AP Rocky, The Atlas Moth, Beach House, Big K.R.I.T., Chavez,  Dirty Projectors, Feist, The Field, Flying Lotus, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hot Chip, Iceage, Nicolas Jaar, Kendrick Lamar, Lotus Plaza, The Men, Olivia Tremor Control, Oneohtrix Point Never, Purity Ring, Ty Segall, Schoolboy Q, Sleigh Bells, Vampire Weekend, Wild Flag, and so many more. See the full lineup below.

In addition to its musical offerings, the fest also features a wide array of other activities, including 50 individual vendors, plus specialty fairs, for attendees to enjoy. News regarding these festival elements will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year, we are excited to introduce “The PMF Upgrade Challenge.”  For one hour, once a week, Chicago radio station and festival partner WXRT 93.1 will present “The PMF Upgrade Challenge” for festival ticketholders. 2012 attendees are invited to participate for a chance for them and a friend to be upgraded to VIP for the entire festival weekend. Even if you just have a single day pass, you and a friend will be upgraded for the entire weekend! To participate, keep an eye on WXRT and the Pitchfork Music Festival Facebook pages where contests will be presented in the forms of questions and other challenges.  Winners will be chosen based on their responses to these contests. This will be happening at one random hour each week, and each week, two pair of tickets will be upgraded to VIP for the entire weekend.

Visit www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com for more information on the 2012 festival, and to purchase tickets. Stay up on festival related news via the ChiIL Live Shows Facebook page and Twitter & Pitchfork Music Festival Facebook page and Twitter.
 
 
FRIDAY JULY 13, 2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 3PM
  

Feist
Dirty Projectors
Big K.R.I.T.
The Olivia Tremor Control
A$AP Rocky
Clams Casino
Tim Hecker
Purity Ring
Japandroids**
Lower Dens
Willis Earl Beal
Outer Minds

 
SATURDAY JULY 14, 2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 12PM


Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Hot Chip
Sleigh Bells
Wild Flag
Flying Lotus
Cults
Atlas Sound
Grimes
Nicolas Jaar
Chromatics**
Danny Brown
Youth Lagoon
Schoolboy Q
Liturgy
Cloud Nothings
Lotus Plaza
The Atlas Moth
The Psychic Paramount


SUNDAY JULY 15,  2012 LINEUP - GATES OPEN AT 12PM

Vampire Weekend
Beach House
Chavez
AraabMUZIK
King Krule
Real Estate
Ty Segall
Thee Oh Sees
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Kendrick Lamar
The Men
The Field
Iceage
Dirty Beaches
Milk Music
Oneohtronix Point Never
A Lull

 
 **Just Announced
 
 For more information, please visit: www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com

SCamp Countdown-Midwest Hype @SummerCampFest

ChiIL Live Shows original shots of Midwest Hype live at The House of Blues, Chicago 2/23/12




HEY SCampers!!   In JUST THREE DAYS the colorful pre-party Thursday crowd will descend on Three Sisters Park for FOUR days of music filled fun.   


We highly recommend checkin' out Chi-Town favs, Midwest Hype.   We shot their sold out CD release party at Schubas and shot stills when they opened for Badfish at House of Blues, Chicago.   Check those shots out here.  We also gave away HOB tickets to one lucky reader.   Want in on our sweet give aways and more?  Follow us by entering your e-mail in the sidebar, or by RSS feed.  Or like/follow our FB page, for the latest ticket and CD give aways, free downloads, world wide tour news, original video band interviews, and loads of live show shots.   We never spam, share or sell your info.


Midwest Hype is danceable in day glow, barefoot beats, and utterly original.   My husband jokingly calls their sound "hippie hop" but their enticing blend of jam, funk and hip-hop is no joke.




CHECK 'EM OUT LIVE AT SUMMER CAMP MUSIC FEST:
SATURDAY 9-10PM AT E. CAMPING STAGE


Here's their bio from their site:


Midwest Hype defines urban garage jazz. Hip-hop flow, unforgettable vocal melodies, punching horn lines, immaculate jazz improvisation, dance floor mayhem, tight pocketed compositions, a spectrum of all colors, a refreshing youthful breath in today's digital world. A celebration and motivation to create a better life, make the day glow.

Midwest Hype has had a string of successes recently.  Starting with a slot at Summer Camp 2010 they have played the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Fest, the Indianapolis 500, Green Music Festival, opened for the Wailers and GIRL TALK, and performed at this year's North Coast Music Festival with Thievery Corporation, Wiz Kalifa, David Guetta and more.

Their EP, Dayglow, produced by Steve Gillis (formerly of Filter) at Chicago's Transient Studios is available now.

"Successfully incorporates keys, trumpet, flute, saxophone and percussion to highlight the originality...I can’t help but visualize live crowd participation...If I had to sum this album up in one word, I’d go with Energy"
Mike Patti - The Pier

"It’s common with this album to be swallowed into an energetic rollercoaster of pure music, as an influential result of Jazz, Swing, Hip Hop, Funk and Blues with the occasional rudeboy mosh pit kicking music reminiscent of the Ska craze from the 90s"
Mike Patti - The Pier

"an absolutely ruthless explosive jam-funk driven sound with flashes of reggae, hip-hop, and even prog rock." - Fraizer, Chicago Jam Scene (Jan. 2011)

"Midwest Hype...The Mousetrap dance floor was thick for the duration of two full sets and crowd activity was high. Through happy music that never drags and personalities that keep a smile on every face, the band makes sure that fun is had by all. "
Danielle Look- Indymojo.com

"“…their music boils down to a highly agreeable, danceable, and versatile weave of ska, rock, jazz, and hip-hop qualities and melodies played by talented musicians” "
- Shaun Christensen, The Preface (Mar 11, 2009)

"The HYPE IS REAL: Midwest Hype may be this area’s next Umphrey’s McGee. The band’s that good and, maybe, that driven. Midwest Hype blends funk, jazz and hip-hop into an exhilarating, dynamic mix of styles to create a refreshing, compl"
- Andrew S. Hughes, South Bend Tribune (May 17, 2008)

SHORE Magazine's Best of 2008:
"Best Local Band About to Make It Big" 

Instrumentation

George Matthew Prellwitz - Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar
Justin "Ideal" Diehl - Emcee/Vocalist
Max Kepler - Drums
Nathan Miller - Bass
Kevin Krizmanich - keyboards
Ben Morrissey - Saxophone
Scott Whitford - Trumpet

Discography

Dayglow - 2012
Colorful Love - 2008

Links

• Official Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Youtube