Music

Billy Bob Thornton does Chicago, but not for film; plays with his band The Boxmasters

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:13:30 -0700

Oscar-winning actor and screenwriter Billy Bob Thornton appeared in Chicago on Aug. 29, 2008 with his band The Boxmasters to promote his new CD. We captured and present to you an exclusive portrait of Thornton in Chicago.

Tribute concert honoring Buddy Guy with Blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan caps off Chicago weekend

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:47:53 -0700

I just received the following press release.

Tribute Concert Honoring Legendary Buddy Guy With Blues Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan Caps Off Weekend of Free Performances Showcasing Illinois Talent in Chicago’s Millennium Park
Guy to Receive First Annual Great Performer of Illinois Award

Blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan will headline a special tribute concert on July 20 honoring Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy during the Great Performers of Illinois festival in Millennium Park. Guy, an internationally acclaimed blues guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, will receive the first Great Performer of Illinois award for his outstanding contributions to popular music and American culture.

The free concert, which will begin at 8 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park, will feature Grammy-award winning Jimmie Vaughan with his Tilt A Whirl Band and Lou Ann Barton, one of the country’s premier blues vocalists. Other special guest artists will be announced.

The tribute will be the highlight and finale of the annual Great Performers of Illinois festival, three days of free entertainment, July 18–20, by more than 50 performers from throughout the state presenting pop, rock, blues, Latin, folk, classical, and spoken word performances, and family-friendly entertainment, such as square dancing, children’s activities, and storytelling.

“We are presenting the first Great Performer of Illinois award to a blues giant who has had a world-wide impact on music and culture and brought international attention to Chicago as the home of the blues,” said Lois Weisberg, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. “It is fitting that he is being honored at a festival that brings together the best talent in the state because he is one of the all-time greats.”

The Aurora/Joliet-based Skandalo Musical will open the festival on Friday, July 18, at 5 p.m. with a concert featuring their Duranguense Latin music that has taken the nation by storm. This upbeat Mexican dance genre with a country twist has dominated the Latin Billboard charts for the last several years. Inspired by the state of Durango, Mexico, it first gained prominence in and around Chicago, which has the largest U.S. population of Duranguenses.

Between these two marquee performances, Millennium Park will be home to a celebration of the diverse talent and culture of the state of Illinois. In addition to an array of music performances on multiple stages, visitors can enjoy regional food specialties and wines from state vineyards throughout the weekend. Square dancing will be professionally taught and called on Friday night. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors will encounter roving Abraham Lincoln and Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable impersonators; regional tourism booths will highlight Illinois’ many attractions; and the Family Fun Tent will showcase the best of Illinois performance for children and offer hands-on activities organized by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in collaboration with the state’s many eclectic museums.

New this year is a spectacular corn maze that will transform Millennium Park into a labyrinth of fun and entertainment for all ages. Way stations throughout the maze will feature educational facts about this Illinois staple that is essential to the state’s economy.

“The arts are all around us in Illinois,” said Shirley R. Madigan, Illinois Arts Council Chairman. “Showcasing these many gifted performers in a world-class venue such as Millennium Park truly shines the spotlight on our state’s rich and diverse cultural resources. The Illinois Arts Council is proud to support Illinois’ creative talent and the Great Performers of Illinois festival.”

For more information about Great Performers of Illinois, call 312.742.1168 or visit www.greatperformersofillinois.com. Great Performers of Illinois 2008, the third annual celebration of the arts unique to Illinois, is presented by the Illinois Arts Council, the Chicago Office of Tourism, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

Located in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets, the 24.5-acre Millennium Park is an unprecedented center for world-class art, music, architecture and landscape design. Among the park’s prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States; the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa; the contemporary Lurie Garden designed by the team of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel; and Anish Kapoor’s hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture. For more information, visit www.millenniumpark.org.

Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive Chicago brochures, reserve hotel accommodations and receive trip-planning assistance by calling toll-free 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246) or visiting www.cityofchicago.org/tourism. Brochures and information on Chicago events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers located at Chicago Water Works, 163 East Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue, and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street. For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico and Canada, please call 1-312-201-8847. The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1.866.710.0294.

The Chicago Office of Tourism, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, is the official City agency dedicated to promoting Chicago to domestic and international visitors and to providing innovative visitor programs and services.

John Williams & Yo-Yo Ma "Geisha" Chicago concert(s)

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:13:45 -0700

Tickets went on sale for this fine event coming in August at the CSO!

http://www.cso.org/main.taf?p=3,11,6,1&EventID=2483

I’ll be going to both concerts :D

Comprehensive list of upcoming 2008 Chicago music peformances!

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:21:08 -0700

On April 1, 2008, we received from a publicist the following comprehensive list of upcoming Chicago music events.

** new listing or change

MORCHEEBA
Federico Aubele
Tuesday, April 1, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 8:30 P.M./ $28.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

93XRT Show
RAY DAVIES
Dana Fuchs
Tuesday, April 1, 2008”
The Chicago Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $78.00 / 48.00 / 38.00 / RESV”

THE FRESH AIRE MUSIC OF
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER
Saturday, April 5, 2008”
Genesee Theatre / Waukegan, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $53.00 / 43.00 / 33.00 / RESV”

93XRT Show
KATHLEEN EDWARDS
Luke Doucet
Saturday, April 5, 2008”
Metro / Chicago, IL / 9:00 P.M./ $18.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

STEPHEN KELLOGG & THE SIXERS Sold Out!
Alexa Wilkinson
Sunday, April 6, 2008”
Beat Kitchen / Chicago, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $17.50 / GA -All Ages”

93XRT Show
EELS Sold Out!
Sunday, April 6, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $25.00 / GA - All Ages”

BEN JELEN
Standard of Living / The Heyday
Sunday, April 6, 2008”
Martyrs / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $8.00 adv / $10.00 day of show / GA - 21 & Over”

93XRT Show
JESSE MALIN
De Novo Dahl
Tuesday, April 8, 2008”
Martyrs / Chicago, IL / 9:00 P.M./ $15.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

JASON MRAZ Sold Out!
Bushwalla / Justin Kredible
Wednesday, April 9, 2008”
Metro / Chicago, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $30.00 / GA - All Ages”

93XRT Shows
WIDESPREAD PANIC
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 11, 12 & 13, 2008”
Auditorium Theatre / Chicago, IL / $39.50 / RESV”
7:00pm - Friday & Saturday / 6:30pm Sunday
Friday & Saturday shows sold out!

93XRT Show
THE BLACK KEYS Sold Out!
Jay Reatard
Saturday, April 12, 2008”
Riviera Theatre / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $24.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

RYAN MONTBLEAU BAND
Saturday, April 12, 2008”
Beat Kitchen / Chicago, IL / 9:30 P.M./ $11.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

STYX
Koko Taylor
Monday, April 14, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $50.00 / GA”

93XRT Shows
JUSTIN CURRIE (of Del Amitri)
Angie Mattson
Tuesday, April 15, 2008”
Schubas / Chicago, IL / 7:00 & 10:00 P.M./ $20.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

HOT CHIP Sold Out!
Free Blood
Thursday, April 17, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $25.00 / GA - All Ages”

SAUL WILLIAMS Sold Out!
Dragons of Zynth
Friday, April 18, 2008”
Martyrs / Chicago, IL / 10:00 P.M./ $16.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

Miller Genuine Draft presents
Q101.1 welcomes
THE BRAVERY
Fiction Plane / Your Vegas
Saturday, April 19, 2008”
Metro / Chicago, IL / 6:30 P.M / $17.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

SANTANA
Derek Trucks Band
Saturday, April 19, 2008”
Allstate Arena / Rosemont, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $100.50 / 50.50 / 40.50 / RESV”

BASSNECTAR
Saturday, April 19, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 11:00 P.M./ $20.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

Q101 welcomes
THE MARS VOLTA
Sunday, April 20, 2008”
Aragon / Chicago, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $35.00 / GA - All Ages”

93XRT Show
THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
Okkervil River
Sunday, April 20, 2008”
Riviera Theatre / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $28.50 / GA - 18 & Over”

93XRT Show
COLIN MELOY
Laura Gibson
Monday, April 21, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $20.00 / GA - All Ages”

IRON AND WINE
Califone
Monday & Tuesday, April 21-22, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $23.00 / GA - All Ages”

DAMIEN DEMPSEY
Wednesday, April 23, 2008”
Schubas / Chicago, IL / 9:00 P.M./ $10.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

93XRT Shows
JOE JACKSON
Mutlu
Wednesday & Thursday, April 23 & 24, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $45.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

93XRT Show
JACKIE GREENE
Thursday, April 24, 2008”
Martyrs / Chicago, IL / 9:00 P.M./ $15.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

ANDREW “”DICE”” CLAY”
Friday, April 25, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 8:30 P.M./ $54.50 / GA - SEATED - 18 & Over”

An evening of stand-up comedy:
TRACY MORGAN
Saturday, April 26, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $33.50 / GA - Seated”

UH HUH HER
Tuesday, April 29, 2008”
Double Door / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $12.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

ELBOW
The Watson Twins
Tuesday, April 29, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $20.00 / GA - All Ages”

Justice Tour:
THE NIGHTWATCHMAN
(Tom Morello Acoustic)
plus very special guests
All proceeds go to the Justice Fund
Thursday, May 1, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $10.00 / GA - All Ages”

THE PROCLAIMERS
Jeremy Fisher
Thursday, May 1, 2008”
Double Door / Chicago, IL / 9:00 P.M./ $18.00 adv / $20.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

Venue Change!
THE HARD LESSONS
Friday, May 2, 2008”
Subterranean / Chicago, IL / 9:30 P.M./ $10.00 / GA - 18 & Over”
Tickets purchased for Beat Kitchen honored

EISLEY
The Myriad / Vedera / The Envy Corps
Friday, May 2, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $15.00 / GA - All Ages”

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY
Friday, May 2, 2008”
Metro / Chicago, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $20.00 / GA - All Ages”

NME Awards Tour
KATE NASH
The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
Friday, May 2, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $21.00 / GA - All Ages”

SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE
Saturday, May 3, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $64.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

Miller Genuine Draft presents
93XRT Show
DRIVE BY TRUCKERS
Saturday, May 3, 2008”
Metro / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $25.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

BOB SCHNEIDER
Saturday, May 3, 2008”
Double Door / Chicago, IL / 9:00 P.M./ $20.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

Hot Topic Presents
GIGANTOUR featuring MEGADETH
In Flames / Children of Bodom / Job for a Cowboy / High on Fire
Tuesday, May 6, 2008”
Aragon / Chicago, IL / 5:00 P.M./ $39.50 / GA - All Ages”

ROBYN
Wednesday, May 7, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $15.00 / GA - All Ages”

DOLLY PARTON
Thursday, May 8, 2008 (February 29th tickets honored)”
Friday, May 9, 2008 ( March 1 tickets honored)”
The Chicago Theatre / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $150.00 / 85.00 / 60.00 / RESV”

** M.I.A.
Holy F*ck
Friday, May 9, 2008”
Aragon / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $30.00 / GA - All Ages”
On sale this Saturday 4/5 at 10:00am

DEVOTCHKA
Basia Bulat
Friday, May 9, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $20.50 / GA - All Ages”

FUNKADESI
Friday, May 9, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $15.00 students / $18.00 general / GA - 18 & Over”

93XRT Show
LOWEN & NAVARRO
Stone Honey
Saturday, May 10, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $25.00 / GA - All Ages”

93XRT Shows
CROWDED HOUSE
Don McGlashan
Saturday & Sunday, May 10 & 11, 2008”
Vic Theater / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $45.00 / GA - All Ages”

AUGUSTANA
Tuesday, May 13, 2008”
Metro / Chicago, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $18.50 / GA - All Ages”

DURAN DURAN
Your Vegas
Wednesday, May 14, 2008”
Rosemont Theatre / Rosemont, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $125.00 / 85.00 / 65.00 / 49.50 / RESV”

** TRIBUTOSAURUS
becomes Queen
Friday, May 16, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 8:30 P.M./ $25.00 / GA - 18 & Over”
On sale this Saturday 4/5 at 10:00am

ENTER THE HAGGIS
Danny Barns’ Defectors
Friday, May 16, 2008”
Martyrs / Chicago, IL / 9:00 P.M./ $10.00 adv / $12.00 day of / GA - 21 & Over”

KT TUNSTALL
Paddy Casey
Friday, May 16, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $35.00 / SEATED GA”

93XRT Show
THE CURE
65daysofstatic
Saturday, May 17, 2008”
Allstate Arena / Rosemont, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $65.00 / 50.00 / RESV”
Tickets for September 29, 2007 honored”

Q101.1 welcomes
MIKE NESS
Jesse Dayton
Tuesday, May 20, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $30.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

Q101 welcomes
SEETHER / FLYLEAF
Red
Tuesday, May 20, 2008”
Riviera Theatre / Chicago, IL / 6:00 P.M./ $32.00 / GA - All Ages”

** KID ROCK
Rev Run / Peter Wolf
Friday, May 23, 2008”
Sears Centre Arena / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $53.50 / 48.50 / 38.50 / RESV”
On sale this Saturday 4/5 at 10:00am
through Sears Centre Box Office, select AMCORE Bank outlets”
by phone at 1-888-SEARSTIX or www.searscentre.com

SUMMER CAMP 2008
moe. / The Flaming Lips / OAR / Umphrey’s McGee
The Roots / Sound Tribe Sector 9 / G. Love & Special Sauce / George Clinton
The New Pornographers
Girl Talk / Avett Brothers / Tea Leaf Green / Clutch / Blind Melon
Lotus / Cornmeal / Hot Buttered Rum / The Lee Boys
Backyard Tire Fire & More!!
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 23, 24 & 25, 2008”
Three Sisters Park / Chillicothe, IL / Noon”
Three day passes on sale now - includes camping:
Now until 4/20 - $143.50
4/21 - 5/22 - $158.50
Gate price - $178.50

93XRT Show
RILO KILEY
Saturday, May 24, 2008”
Riviera Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $26.00 / GA - All Ages”

Due to demand…Second show added!
** ERYKAH BADU
THE ROOTS
Friday, May 30 & Saturday, May 31, 2008”
The Chicago Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $69.50 / 59.50 / 49.50 / RESV”
May 30th show sold out!
Tickets for the May 31st show on sale this Saturday 4/5 at 11:00am

BUCKETHEAD
That 1 Guy
Saturday, May 31, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $20.00 / GA- All Ages”

93XRT Show
THE KOOKS Sold Out!
The Morning Benders
Monday, June 2, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $20.00 / GA - All Ages”

NELS CLINE SINGERS
Tuesday, June 3, 2008”
Martyrs / Chicago, IL / 9:00 P.M./ $18.00 / GA - 21 & Over”

93XRT Show
** OLD 97’S
Hayes Carll
Thursday, June 5, 2008”
Metro / Chicago, IL / 8:30 P.M./ $22.00 / GA - 18 & Over”
On sale this Saturday 4/5 at NOON

93XRT Show
** R.E.M.
Modest Mouse / The National
Friday, June 6, 2008”
United Center / Chicago, IL / 7:00 P.M./ $85.00 / 65.00 / 37.50 / RESV”
On sale this Saturday 4/5 at 10:00am

TRUE COLORS TOUR:
Cyndi Lauper / The B-52s / Tegan & Sara
The Cliks / Rosie O’Donnell / Carson Kressley
Tuesday, June 10, 2008”
The Chicago Theatre / Chicago, IL / 6:00 P.M./ $179.00 / 129.00 / 104.00 / 69.00 / 49.00 / RESV”

BILLY BRAGG
Saturday, June 14, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $27.50 / GA - 18 & Over”

FISH
Sunday, June 15, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $35.00 / GA - 18 & Over”

93XRT Shows
THE SWELL SEASON Sold Out!
featuring Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
performing their songs from the motion picture Once
Sunday, June 15, 2008”
Tuesday & Wednesday, June 17 & 18, 2008”
The Chicago Theatre / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $40.00 / 32.50 / RESV”

LADYTRON
Datarock
Tuesday, June 17, 2008”
Vic Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $25.00 / GA- All Ages”

TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS
Steve Winwood
Wednesday, July 2, 2008”
United Center / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $99.00 / 55.00 / RESV”

** GEORGE MICHAEL
Wednesday, July 9, 2008”
United Center / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $250.00 / 150.00 / 95.00 / 65.00 / RESV”
On sale this Saturday 4/5 at 11:00am

93XRT Show
MARK KNOPFLER Sold Out!
Sunday, July 13, 2008”
The Chicago Theatre / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $109.00 / 74.00 / 54.00 / RESV”

ROD STEWART
Greatest Hits Tour
Bryan Adams
Tuesday, August 5, 2008”
Sears Centre / Hoffman Estates, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $227.00 / 127.00 / 97.00/ 52.00 / RESV”
On sale now
through Sears Centre Box Office, select AMCORE Bank outlets”
by phone at 1-888-SEARSTIX or www.searscentre.com

Third Show Added!
** KING CRIMSON
Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Gavin Harrison,”
Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto”
Wednesday & Thursday, August 6 & 7, 2008”
Friday, August 8, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 7:30 P.M./ $67.50 / GA - 18 & Over”
Tickets for the August 8th show on sale this Saturday 4/5 at 10:00am
August 6 & 7 on sale now!

An evening with
MELISSA ETHERIDGE
Thursday & Friday, August 7 & 8, 2008”
The Chicago Theatre / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $103.00 / 78.00 / 58.00 / 38.00 / RESV”
101.9fm The Mix welcomes August 7 / 93XRT Show on August 8

JIM GAFFIGAN
Friday, August 22, 2008”
Genesee Theatre / Waukegan, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $42.75 / RESV”

** JACKOPIERCE
Friday, November 14, 2008”
Park West / Chicago, IL / 8:00 P.M./ $27.50 / GA - 18 & Over”
On sale now!

Tickets available through Ticketmaster: All Carson Pirie Scott & Hot Tix Select Coconuts & fye locations charge by phone (312) 559-1212 or ticketmaster.com