In support of the campaign, a variety of performers at the November 22 festival at Chicago’s Congress Theater will be sharing stories about the people they respect most and asking the audience to support the campaign by texting the keyword “respect” to 41010, adding a $5 donation to the Family Violence Prevention Fund to their mobile bill.

To learn more, visit GiveRespect.org

SHOW SCHEDULE

*2 Stages, a Balcony, 18 Acts, and Costumed Marching Band “Environmental Encroachment” parading throughout the venue at impromptu times

MAIN STAGE
12:30-1:15pm – Donnie Biggins
1:15-1:30 – Tangleweed
1:30-2:15 - Dollar Store
2:15-2:45 – Tangleweed/Chicago Sketch Comedy Troupe “Cell Camp”
2:45-3:30 – Billy Childers
3:30-4:00 – Tangleweed/Chicago Sketch Comedy Troupe“Cell Camp”
4:00-4:45 – Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials
4:45-5:15 – Tangleweed/Chicago Sketch Comedy Troupe“Cell Camp”
5:15-6:15 – Majors Junction
6:15-6:45 – Tangleweed/Chicago Sketch Comedy Troupe“Cell Camp”
6:45-7:45 – Ha Ha Tonka
7:45-8:15 – The Giving Tree Band
8:15-9:45 - David Grisman Quintet
9:45-10:15 – The Giving Tree Band
10:15-However Long They Want – The Avett Brothers

Jambase.com’s 312 PAVILION STAGE
Noon-12:45 – Blue Room Hero
1:00-1:45 – Cobalt & the Hired Guns
2:00-2:45 - Lindsey O’Brien Band & Friends
3:00-3:45 - Mike Mangione
4:00-4:45 – Jessica Lee
5:00-5:45 – How Far to Austin
6:00-6:45 – Blue Mother Tupelo
7:00-8:00 – Blackdog

• This show is All Ages, runs from 11am-Midnight-ish, tickets are $31 until day-of, when it increases (if there are any left)

• Unlimited Re-Entry: Can come and go freely to and from the theater until 5pm.  AFTER 5PM YOU CAN STILL ARRIVE.  All this means is that once you’ve left the building after 5pm, you can’t come back in.  As in, if you leave at 4:59 you can still get stamped and come back any time throughout the night.  However a minute later that would not be an option. 

• Smoking lounge access without leaving the theater. Security is about as strong as a one-armed swimmer (as in “weak”)

• Sketch Comedy throughout the day from Chicago Sketch Comedy Group “Cell Camp”

• An open jam session and picking circle from the second the doors open. Musicians are all invited to bring their instruments and participate. There’ll be an “instrument check” along with the coat check so that you don’t have to lug your noisemaker around with you all day.

• Over 50 booths of artists, vendors, and charitable causes. Artists will be creating their art on-site and selling it while the Saving Tiny Hearts Society will be raffling off swag from the artists

• The theater is located at 2135 N. Milwaukee (just north of Armitage). There is street parking available all around the theater, as well as very cheap reserved parking by clicking here

• Traveling to the theater is easy via the CTA, as it is within two blocks of the Blue Line train stations at California (& Milwaukee) and Western (& Milwaukee) which operate twenty four hours a day. The theater is also served by the following bus routes: #52 Kedzie/Calfornia, #56 Milwaukee, #73 Armitage, #49 Western (www.transitchicago.com)

• The theater is also a quick walk or bus ride from the METRA train station at Clybourn & Ashland on the Union Pacific District Northwest line. Exit the station to the south to transfer to the #73 Armitage bus going west on Cortland Ave. to the theater.

• The “Official After-Party” will be held at Chicago’s #1 rock club The Elbo Room immediately following the show. Entry is free with your festival ticket. Check out more details at elboroomchicago.com

•A WARM FUZZY FEELING FOR MAKING THIS EVENT AMAZING AND HELPING PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME!

Throw these on in your new fancy earbuds and enjoy the sweet stylings of The Giving Tree Band, How Far to Austin, Majors Junction, and Eli Jones (who played our official pre-party at Fitzgerald’s last week)

Radio Relics Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival Special from WRLR: http://www.mypodcast.com/cached/radiorelics_20081118_0903-332937-159989-2-25.mp3

Green Arrow Radio’s Preview: http://www.greenarrowradio.com/2008/11/18/chicago-bluegrass-blues/

The Giving Tree Band: http://www.woodsongs.com/showlist.asp

The Giving Tree Band: http://isoas.wordpress.com/category/1-americana/the-giving-tree-band/

David Grisman Quintet: http://isoas.wordpress.com/category/1-americana/david-grisman/

Eli Jones: http://chicagoacoustic.net/podcasts/episode-167—eli-jones.html

How Far to Austin: http://chicagoacoustic.net/podcasts/episode-166—how-far-to-austin.html

Majors Junction: http://chicagoacoustic.net/podcasts/episode-169—majors-junction.html

And for the greatest acappella performance in the history of anything:

From Left: Derrick Mitchell, a bunch of Oak Parkers

On November 22nd, Chicago’s Congress Theater will host the first annual Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival.  This all day festival will offer music fans a diverse range of acts, including bluegrass music pioneer David Grisman and red-hot American Recordings poster boys, the Avett Brothers.  For Oak Parkers, however, the festival offers a special treat as several native talents are featured on the bill, including How Far to Austin, Blue Room Hero, and contest winner Donnie Biggins.

Also included in the mix is festival director Mike Raspatello, a River Forest resident who graduated from OPRF in 1999.  “As expected, Oak Park had a lot of great talent to choose from in finding artists for this event.  I knew a lot of these guys in High School and have enjoyed watching their careers grow.”

Blue Room Hero is a three piece rock ensemble that formed at the University of Wisconsin when OPRF alumnus and current teacher Doug Hill brought his drums to Mike Neeb’s bass and Jason Napp’s guitar.  They built a large and loyal following in Madison as well as back home in Oak Park.  The festival represents not only their highest profile gig, but also their last performance together.

How Far to Austin features guitarist Tate Troelstrup, drummer Paul Obis, bassist Colin Fahey, and saxophonist Nick Ranucci, all alumni of Oak Park River Forest High School.  The band likes to think of themselves as “hot as a pistol rock ‘n roll laced with incredible lyrical depth; keen musicianship; and unforgettable vocal melodies that border on the addictive.”  Last year, they released their first LP, “The Moment has Arrived” and are now preparing to go back into the studio with legendary producer Stuart Epps, fresh off of recording an album for Oasis at the studio he co-owns in Wales with Jimmy Paige.

When asked about how growing up in Oak Park has influenced his musical stylings, Troelstrup said, “I went to Holmes school on the north side of town, great music program and I tried my hand at a new band instrument each year on top of piano.  Once I got my hands on a guitar I popped over to see Sal Salvato at Guitar Fun and started my rock ‘n roll journey.”

Donnie Biggins in the blazer, Doug Hill on the set

When Donnie Biggins entered the “Last Banjo Standing Contest” to determine the final act on the mainstage, he knew he had the support of an entire community behind him.  A truly grassroots voting effort propelled him to victory in the contest.  “When I won this contest, my Father sent me a text message that said “It takes a Village.” The support from Oak Park helped get me into the top 5 artists. It is because of the community’s belief in me that I was selected to play at the festival. I think there is a lot of young talent in Oak Park just waiting to be released into the world. We come from a community unlike any other. The environment we surround ourselves with, whether it is the schools, block parties, or backyard gatherings, sets us up to be successful.”

Both Troelstrup and Biggins credit some local Oak Park businesses with helping their musical development.  Biggins spoke glowingly about Val Camilletti, owner of Val’s Halla Records.  “I went to Val’s in August looking for advice on advancing my music publicly. We talked for about an hour about current music and the musical experiences she’s had in her lifetime. She told me to go to The Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park, Chicago. Conveniently I was moving to Rogers Park at the end of the month to begin my student teaching in the Chicago Public Schools and have been playing at The Heartland Cafe once a week. It will be nice to go back to Val’s with the CBGB Festival ad with my name on it and thank her for the advice.”

Troelstrup also spoke magnanimously when asked if any local music hotspots had an influence on him.  “Most definitely!  Guitar Fun is where I took my first guitar lessons, and where I turned to any time I had a gear question.  Val at Val’s Halla always special ordered whatever random record I absolutely had to have any given week.  I was always pretty loyal to Val’s, but Second Hand Tunes did have a great t-shirt selection and often times had newer records in a lot faster.  All three were important because my experiences at each was positive – really nice people very interested in music, and in the case of Sal at Guitar Fun, very supportive of t

Val of Val's Halla and her trusty friend and coworker

he endeavors of young musicians just cutting their teeth.”

Raspatello says “The idea of this festival was to give some up and coming artists a chance to share the bill with some big name acts, and help out the Saving Tiny Hearts Society while doing it.  I’m happy to be able to include some native Oak Parkers in what will be a wonderful celebration of art and music.”

Tickets are $31 and are on sale now on cbbfestival.com, ticketmaster.com, and frontgatetickets.com,   A portion of the sales will go to benefit the Saving Tiny Hearts Society (Savingtinyhearts.org)

About the Festival:

On November 22nd, 2008, the Congress Theater will host the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival (cbbfestival.com). While rooted in the foot-stomping influences of bluegrass and blues, the festival will transport the concertgoer through the genre-defying evolution of music today.  The one-day event will serve as a tribute to two schools of music that continue to shape and inspire contemporary rock, jamband, funk, folk, roots, Americana, and indie cultures, while allowing festivalgoers to save a heart.  A portion of each $31 ticket will be donated to the Saving tiny Hearts Society (www.savingtinyhearts.org), an non-profit organization that raises money for America’s #1 birth defect, congenital heart defects (CHD).

1. Squeeze-Bot, Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and Off-the-Wagon Bluegrass Band have all been added to the 2009 festival lineup due to their great efforts in this year’s Last Banjo Standing Contest

2. There will be in-balcony performances by Chicago bluegrass bands The Giving Tree Band and Tangleweed.  When the curtain goes down on the big stage at the end of each set, the spotlight goes up on the balcony.

3. ATTENTION EVERYONE: Bring your instruments and join in on the continuous pickin’ circle. You’re all welcome to join in with whatever you’re hittin’ or strummin’.  These jam circles will pop up throughout the lobby in between sets on the Jambase.com Pavilion Stage (http://www.congresschicago.com/galleryc/images/o.jpg)

4. There’ll be a smoking lounge that does not require you to leave the building.  See what we’ve done here?  A huge favor for you, and a huge necessity in making this as close to the true summer festivals we all know and love.  Tricky, yes, but awesome and necessary in the Chicago winter.

5. Live art exhibits, merch & food vendors, and causes everywhere you look.  Artists will be performing their respective crafts while selling their goods to help raise money for charity.  No art form is too obscure, so be ready for some heady sensory input.

6.  Improv comedy performances from Second City’s “Cell Camp” (http://cellcamp.blogspot.com/) also in-between sets on the main stage.  When the balcony bluegrass subsides, focus your attention back on the stage for this troupe of heathens.  They’re funnier than whomever else you’d be talking to at the time, I promise.

7. Door Open at 11am, and music will push on until midnight. Re-entry (going outside and coming back in) is allowed until 5pm, after which you have to stay inside and enjoy yourself instead of cutting out to get high in your car every five minutes.

8. There’ll be some costume-clad marching bands parading through the event at opportune times. I expect it to be as cool as that Nick Cannon movie that came out years back. If you’re in a marching band or know someone in one, have them e-mail me at michael.raspatello@gmail.com, because the more the merrier.

9.  There’ll be an after-party at the one and only ELBO ROOM, with free admission for those with a festival ticket-stub.  The music at the after party will go until 3am and performers will be from the festival lineup and be announced at the show throughout the day.

10.  And if you pay attention to only one thing we bring to your attention, let it be the amazing work of the The Saving Tiny Hearts Society (www.savingtinyhearts.org)

BONUS:  If you like wasting time on the internet like the rest of humanity, check out the 50 Worst Billboard #1 Hits of All-Time

50. Celine Dione – My Heart Will Go On (1998)

49. Uncle Kracker – Follow Me (1999)

48. Rednex – Cotton Eye Joe (1995)

47. Minnie Riperton – Lovin’ You (1975)

46. Will Smith – Wild Wild West (1999)

45. Whitney Houston – Greatest Love of All (1986)

44. Toby Keith – Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (2001)

43. Mr. Mister – Broken Wings (1986)

42. Bryan Adams – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman (1995)

41. Chicago – You’re the Inspiration (1985)

40. The Rembrandts – I’ll Be There For You (1995)

39. Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry, Be Happy (1988)

38. Limp Bizkit – Rollin’ (2000)

37. Billy Ray Cyrus – Achy Breaky Heart (1992)

36. Starship – We Built This City (1985)

35. Donna Summer – MacArthur Park (1978)

34. Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun (1974)

33. Elton John – Crocodile Rock (1973)

32. The Eagles – Best of My Love (1975)

31. Bee Gees – How Deep is Your Love (1977)

30. A Taste of Honey – Boogie Oogie Oogie (1978)

29 Peabo Bryson & Regina Bell – A Whole New World (1993)

28. Los Del Rio – Macarena (1996)

27. Hanson – MMMbop (1997)

26. Destiny’s Child – Independent Woman Part 1 (2001)

25. Starland Vocal Band – Afternoon Delight (1976)

24 Bobby Goldsboro – Honey (1968)

23. Rick Dees – Disco Duck (1976)

22. Debbie Boone – You Light Up My Life (1977)

21. Clay Aikens – This is the Night (2002)

20. Zagar and Evans - In the Year 2525 (Exordium and Terminus) (1969)

19. Nelly – Grillz (2006)

18. Jermaine Jackson – Don’t Take it Personal (1989)

17. The Association – Windy (1967)

16. Lonestar – Amazed (2000)

15. Nickelback – How You Remind Me (2001)

14. Captain & Tennille – Do That To Me One More Time (1980)

13. D4L – Laffy Taffy (2006)

12. Bobbie Gentry – Ode to Billie Joe (1967)

11. J-Lo & Ja Rule – I’m Real (2001)

10. Elton John – Candle in the Wind 97 (1998) - I never really had any beef with the paparazzi until I realized that this song was their fault too. Hopefully the tune EJ writes when Princes Harry ODs won’t become as popular.

9. Barry Manilow – I Write the Songs (1976)- Yes Barry, you do write the songs…. that make my parents 69 on their anniversary and my lunch shoot back up my esophagus like an eighth Jager shot.

8. Dawn feat. Tony Orland0 – Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree (1973) -From Wikipedia: The symbol became widely known in civilian life in the 1970s. It was the central theme of the popular song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree“, Written by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown and recorded by Tony Orlando and Dawn among many others. It referred to the sign a released convict requested from his wife or lover, to indicate that she still wanted him and that he would therefore be welcome to return home. He would be able to see it from the bus driving by their house, and would stay on the bus in the absence of the ribbon. He turned out to be very welcome: there were a hundred yellow ribbons. Wow Miss Convict-Monger, I thought you said when he hit you the first time that it was over for good?

7. Crazy Town – Butterfly (2001) -I always wondered what happened to the anal cyst that got lanced off the butthole of that 311 cover band I used to see back in South Venice.

6. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – Ebony and Ivory (1982)
This song is so bad it makes you wonder if those Segregationists may have been on to something. That asshole Strom Thurmond reportedly co-produced this record as part of a red-state conspiracy.

5. Snow – Informer (1993) - Dude, my cousin in Cleveland totally knows all the words to this.

4. Black-Eyed Peas – My Humps (2005) – If we’re talking looks alone, I’d say the lumps Fergie left on boyfriend Josh Duhamel’s testes were more attractive than the fat-girl mosquito bites on her chest.

3. Cher – Believe (1999) – Maybe Cher should have gotten plastic surgery on her voice?

2. All 4 One – I Swear (1994)- Attention! Attention! T-minus 4.5 minutes until that 8th grade ginger feels his first over-the-bra tatas!

1. Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth (1999) - Santana, It should have been you instead of Richie Valens in that plane that night. Just go back to playing the bad guy in Three Amigos and stop ruining your own reputation.

When each of the main stage acts finish their set at the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival, fans won’t have to wait a half-hour for a continuation of their musical fix.  They’ll merely have to turn around.

Festival organizers have finally announced a poorly-kept surprise long in the making, and confirmed that two of Chicago’s leading bluegrass acts will in fact be part of the day’s festivities.  When the lights go down on each main stage set, the spotlight will immediately shift to the boys of Tangleweed, stationed around a sole mic up in the wings of the historic Congress Theater balcony.

After a few pop-up sets by Tangleweed, they’ll pas the torch to The Giving Tree Band, who’ll entertain fans from above leading up to David Grisman and The Avett Brothers’ headlining sets.

ABOUT THE GIVING TREE BAND (WWW.THEGIVINGTREEBAND.COM):
The Giving Tree Band is a four-piece group of versatile Chicago musicians. Their sound is all acoustic, expanding from a variety of folk and roots traditions. The band has a very dynamic and inventive approach to songwriting and music-making, which they use as a tool for exploring the mystery of life and serving the needs of the community and environment. These troubadours creatively chronicle their own experiences, random thoughts, and deep feelings into a musical diary. By opening it freely, they hope to bring a little joy and inspiration to the lives of the listeners.

The Giving Tree Band’s eclectic and unique brand of soulful folk is the collaboration of four friendly multi-instrumentalists. Bob Salihar adds appeal on guitar. Pat Burke brings brightness on mandolin. Todd Fink contributes color on banjo. Eric Fink delivers depth on upright bass. The members also perform with other instruments such as the classical guitar, slide dobro, dulcimer, ukulele, violin, harmonica, and harmonium. The band sings in four part harmony with each member taking his turn as lead vocalist.

ABOUT TANGLEWEED (WWW.TANGLEWEED.ORG):

Formed in 2004 on Chicago’s north side, Tangleweed is rapidly developing their own innovative slice of Acoustic Americana.  Their first two cd’s have received positive press and frequent radio play in over 20 countries, and they have just released their third, “Most Folk Heroes Started Out As Criminals.”

In 2008, Tangleweed was named “Traditional Musicians of the Year” by the Rural Roots Commission, heard their music featured on the PBS series “Roadtrip Nation”, and performed warmly-received debut shows in Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Colorado.

The band features four very different lead vocalists, and is just as nimble with classic bluegrass, folk, mountain music, hot jazz, western swing, and Irish rebel songs as they are re-interpreting the occasional Pere Ubu or Velvet Underground cover.  And yes, their bassist custom-built his own instrument out of a de-commissioned Howitzer Shell.

ABOUT THE CHICAGO BLUEGRASS & BLUES FESTIVAL:

On November 22nd, 2008, the Congress Theater will host the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival (cbbfestival.com). While rooted in the foot-stomping influences of bluegrass and blues, the festival will transport the concertgoer through the genre-defying evolution of music today.  The one-day event will serve as a tribute to two schools of music that continue to shape and inspire contemporary rock, jamband, funk, folk, roots, Americana, and indie cultures, while allowing festivalgoers to save a heart.  A portion of each $31 ticket will be donated to the Saving tiny Hearts Society (www.savingtinyhearts.org), an non-profit organization that raises money for America’s #1 birth defect, congenital heart defects (CHD).

Chicago, IL – October 13, 2008. The 2008 Chicago Blues and Bluegrass Festival’s LAST BANJO STANDING CONTEST is in full swing, with over 75 bands vying to join David Grisman and the Avett Brothers on the festival’s main stage.

The event’s organizers are extremely grateful for the thousands who have already voted in support of their favorite acts, as some extremely talented acts have surged to the top of the leaderboard.

Current leading vote getters, Squeeze-Bot, a group of accordion, banjo, and tuba enthusiasts from Louisville, are trying to hang on to the top spot.  They are being closely pursued by North Carolina’s Josh Phillips Folk Festival, led by the former front man of the wildly popular Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band.

In third is the “explosively intoxicating” and fellow Carolinian natives Holy Ghost Tent Revival, a clear favorite of Avett Brothers fans, as evidenced by some good-spirited campaigning on the Avett’s online message board.

Rounding out the top five are some local talents.  In fourth is newcomer Donnie Biggins, an Oak Park, IL native who has mounted an impressive community-wide campaign to emerge from the pack.  In fifth is Tangleweed, a hometown Americana group trying to inject some Chicago talent into the mix.

While the leaders have been established, the contest isn’t over by any means.  The polls remain open until the end of day on 10/17.  The votes will be tallied and a jury comprised of artists already on the bill will choose the winning artist amongst the top 5 vote-getters.  The winner will be announced at 12:00 a.m. on October 18th, at www.cbbfestival.com.

Will the previously mentioned five hold onto the top spots?  Or will another artist emerge from the pack to claim a spot in what will surely be a taxing decision for the jury of their peers.  With only four days of voting left, it is up to the fans to decide.

ABOUT THE CHICAGO BLUEGRASS & BLUES FESTIVAL:

On November 22nd, 2008, the Congress Theater will host the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival (cbbfestival.com). While rooted in the foot-stomping influences of bluegrass and blues, the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival will transport the concertgoer through the genre-defying evolution of music today.  The one-day event will serve as a tribute to two schools of music that continue to shape and inspire contemporary rock, jamband, funk, folk, roots, Americana, and indie cultures, while allowing festivalgoers to save a heart.  A portion of each $31 ticket will be donated to the Saving tiny Hearts Society (www.savingtinyhearts.org), an non-profit organization that raises money for America’s #1 birth defect, congenital heart defects (CHD).

Chicago, IL – October 10, 2008. Seven nights a week, for longer than most of us have been alive, the Elbo Room has been offering up two floors of laid-back drinking and delightfully schizophrenic live music.   With numerous “Most Popular Rock Club” titles under its belt at the annual Chicago Music Awards, the most recent coming this year, it was a natural choice for the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival’s official after-party revelry.

So after a day full of raucous rockabilly, roots, bluegrass, blues, and foot-stompin’ indie music over at the Congress Theater on November 22nd, the festival crowd will descend upon the Elbo Room as night turns into early morning.

From Midnight to 3am, the Elbo Room stage will host an assortment of Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival performers to remain nameless until the day of the show.  So call your friends who were at the show to find out what you’re in for, or show up to the Elbo Room with a few drinks under your belt and an open mind.

While festivalgoers will be able to use their ticket for free after-party entry, all music and drinking lovers are encouraged to attend and pay the standard Elbo Room cover charge.

About the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival:

On November 22nd, 2008, the Congress Theater will host the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival (www.cbbfestival.com), featuring the David Grisman Quintet, The Avett Brothers, and 14 other leading Chicago and national acts. While rooted in the foot-stomping influences of bluegrass and blues, the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival will transport the concertgoer through the genre-defying evolution of music today.  The one-day event, with music from noon ‘til midnight, will serve as a tribute to two schools of music that continue to shape and inspire contemporary rock, jam band, funk, folk, roots, Americana, and indie cultures, while allowing festival goers to save a heart.  A portion of each $31 ticket will be donated to the Saving Tiny Hearts Society (www.savingtinyhearts.org), an non-profit organization that raises money for America’s #1 birth defect, congenital heart defects

For three days in early 1969, the Grateful Dead graced Chicago’s original Kinetic Playground with their now-ubiquitous brand of jam-infused eclectic rock.  Shortly thereafter, Jerry Garcia began his decades-long collaboration with Mandolin impresario David Grisman, changing the face of The Dead’s music forever. Now, almost 40 years later, the new Kinetic Playground will participate in Grisman’s latest collaboration, the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival.

On October 24th, the Kinetic Playground will host the first of two official Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival pre-parties, co-presented by Chicago music website FANFOUND.com and music promotion company, It’s Real Music.

The event will feature Chicago Bluegrass & Blues festival VIP package giveaways, and mark the first trip to Chicago for D.C’s newest “newgrass” sensations, the Junior League Band.  Supporting JLB on the bill will be an eclectic mix of Chicago artists, including soulful pianist Dylan Lloyd, melodic electro-punks Empra and Boom Alert, and Furious Frank’s hobocamp mud show, self-described as “Frank Zappa meets Herb Alpert in Texas.”

Doors are at 8pm, and tickets are $9, redeemable for a discount off of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival ticket price.

About the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival:

On November 22nd, 2008, the Congress Theater will host the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival (www.cbbfestival.com), featuring the David Grisman Quintet, The Avett Brothers, and 14 other leading Chicago and national acts. While rooted in the foot-stomping influences of bluegrass and blues, the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival will transport the concertgoer through the genre-defying evolution of music today.  The one-day event, with music from noon ‘til midnight, will serve as a tribute to two schools of music that continue to shape and inspire contemporary rock, jamband, funk, folk, roots, Americana, and indie cultures, while allowing festivalgoers to save a heart.  A portion of each $31 ticket will be donated to the Saving tiny Hearts Society (www.savingtinyhearts.org), an non-profit organization that raises money for America’s #1 birth defect, congenital heart defects (CHD).