Almost two years of being a band, Dead & Company makes its Chicago debut this weekend -- the first time Grateful Dead members have played at Wrigley Field.  Guess the Cubs had to win the World Series first.As you can imagine there's no shortage of hoopla, both bad and good surrounding the event....

Blottopia had a nice long run at a single location through 2011, but since then, the only constant (besides Mr. Blotto's covers of classic albums) has been change, as they switch things up at various locations throughout the region.The team has decided to move again for the 17th edition of Blotto's summer classic, this time...

This event has been going strong eight years running now, but the 2016 version has a vision that goes back a bit further than that.Gia Eppolito and the good folks at at Rock4Autism, just as they do each April (Autism Awareness Month), have set up a music-related benefit at Berwyn's Wire. But this time,...

I'm always honored to feature news of this annual benefit here on the blog. April is Autism Awareness Month, and the organizers have worked hard the last several years to do their part with a fundraiser built around great tunes and good works.Good news for folks who live near me (or really, anybody not...

A massive snowstorm blanketed Chicago on Super Bowl Sunday and while high temps this Saturday may peak near 40, there should be plenty of the white stuff on hand for the 2015 edition of Snow Shoe, Old Shoe's winter festival. This year, they are moving the festivities to the beautiful Mayne Stage in Rogers Park. Frequent Shoe...

One of Chicago's best kept secrets is Blotto / Helping Phriendly Orchestra guitarist Mark Hague, so it's always a treat when he gets a chance to shine with a national touring act.Assembly Of Dust gave him that opportunity on the second night of their two night run in Chicago on January 9th & 10th.  ...

Without one "big" show dominating Halloween in Chicago this year, there's a lot of talent playing in a lot of places. As usual, this city can't seem to keep its Halloween celebration to just one day (even when it falls on a Friday!) -- so we're listing shows in this preview from Wednesday through Saturday....

Among the many things I like about Chicago is the diversity of of options on just about any night. This is amplified when Phish is in town.Case in point: not only can Phish set up shop for three big weekend shows, the city can simultaneously host a multi-band festival with some crossover appeal to...

I'm always honored to feature news of this annual benefit here on the blog. April is Autism Awareness Month, and our friends at Northern Illinois Center for Autism have worked hard the last several years to cap the month with a fundraiser built around great tunes and good works.This year, the festivities move to...

Great bands play in great bars and clubs every weekend -- hell, every day -- in Chicago. What has always intrigued me is how you take such a routine occurrence and and turn it into an EVENT.Old Shoe has succeeded in doing just that. Saturday, February 15th at the Volcano Room at Bottom Lounge...