Fall 2011 Jamming in the DJ Who Plays Not Only Songs That Are Popular, but Also Songs on Request
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Ma rtin Fi restein RFL •Wf•ollegeHono~Program In this Issue: •Music in the Northwest Suburbs p. 2-4 •Band Feature Our Fathers Burden p. 5-8 •Music at Harper p. 9-10 •Band Feature Go Hang p. 10-12 =Harper College Fall 2011 Jamming in the DJ who plays not only songs that are popular, but also songs on request. A couple of fun events they Northwest Suburbs have throughout the week are trivia on Tuesdays, and, in the summer, pool parties on Sundays. They also host many sporting events and have food and By Lyndi Schiff drink specials on many of these nights. There is not It seems I don't get enough. I had no idea much room to dance and on weekends they tend to how varied and diverse a music scene in the North be crowded, but the more the merrier. This place is a west Suburbs. I've been to numerous places that great time. would be considered musical venues, but I also John Barleycorn transforms when the sun wanted to find some new scenes. After some ex goes down. The first time I went there it was simply tensive web browsing searching various terms, I for a girls' day out, and this is where we decided to discoverd that there are music venues ranging from go to lunch. My friends all thought the place was a piano bars to nightclubs alJ through the Harper Col bit stuffy. It had no life to it, and as four college stu lege area. While it would impossible to cover every dents, we felt a bit out of place. The people there for musical venue in the Northwest suburbs, even a lunch were all in business suits and discussing work. brief survey reveals endless variety. At first I feared going back ever again. That was un The most common music venue styles in til I was invited out with a group of my friends who the Northwest Suburbs are those that feature DJs. enjoy dancing. We went there on a holiday weekend That's convenient for Harper College students, so we could go on a Sunday night and avoid paying many of whom like to go and dance to today's pop a cover. I entered John Barleycorn for the second hits. Most of these venues have their live music time. The first floor had some life, and once we went Thursday through Saturday. The live music adds ex upstairs, my mind was completely changed! There tra flavor to the scene and some excitement. A few was dancing, a DJ, and the best part, no business of the places that have DJs are Drink, John Barley suits! We had a fabul~us evening dancing all night Corn, The Snuggery, and Wild Bull. The majority long. of these venues also have karaoke on selected eve nings. [have been to each of these venues and can give some insight on why you would want to check them out. Drink is the newest scene to the area. It is a two-story nightclub and invites DJs from Chicago land radio stations on the weekends. Upon walking into Drink, it is obvious you will have a good time. The lights that are all neon, and the music is really loud to create a party atmosphere. It's difficult to not want to just get up and dance. If dancing is not quite your thing, there are a few areas that have large couches and tables to attempt to sit and have a conversation,although, as I said, the music is really loud. Also, since it is the new scene around it's very crowded. I found that out on Halloween, but still had a blast! Drink is probably the easiest way to get the big city party scene without the waste of gas money. .• The Snuggery is known for .dance nights j Drink on Halloween! Thursday through Saturday. They have their own (continued on page 3) (continued from page 2) There are two blues venues: Pinstripes and The Blues Bar. Both of these have various solo per formers as well as bands for Fridays,Saturdays, and some special events. The Blues Bar is completely inspired by the Blues Brothers. In this unique atmo sphere they have live performers six nights a week! So grab your saxophone and suit up to get out there! Even though they're singing the blues, you'll have a lot of fun! There is also Pinstripes, which is not your typical blues bar. They are most well known for their indoor and outdoor bocce ball courts. The I have been to Wild Bull for their karaoke most enjoyable aspect of this scene is that you can night and many sports events. There is always a play bocce or bowl, and still listen to some fabulous huge range of people there; age does not usually live music. matter, except that weekends after nine it is twenty Another themed venue is Ballydole's, an one and up . For karaoke night, it was fun to listen Irish pub featuring various Celtic performers. The to many different songs, including the great sing majority of these are Celtic rock. ln this atmo ers, and for some humor, the not-so-great singers. sphere, you can escape to a different country and I didn 't have the nerve to get up and sing, nor did enjoy a new style of music. It's like getting to take anyone at my table, but it was still an unforgettable a vacation without having to travel that far. Who evening. The more popular reason for attending knows? Maybe you can even get lucky and find a Wild Bull is their sporting events. I typically go leprechaun with a pot of gold. The place is very to watch the Blackhawks games. It is much more nice and features many menu items native to Ireland fun to watch a game with other fans who are just as and difficult to find in any non-themed venues. My riled up as you are. One waitress told me that the favorite aspect of Ballydole's is the wait staff; I had weekend is when the real party is. This is typically no clue when it came to Irish cuisine. My wait- a Friday night; many UFC fights are on Saturdays. ress was extremely knowledgeable and walked me They bring in a DJ and want you to get your booty through many of the menu options. When I asked shaking on the dance floor! her about the stage I was sitting in front of she told There are two venues that have live rock and me that I need to come and check out some of their pop acts, which are Tilted Kilt and Chicago City great Celtic bands. I can't wait to go back and es Limits. I unfortunately have no insight on these cape to lreland ! two venues. I discovered that they feature live pop music as well as some rock bands. So if you enjoy dancing to live music and singino alono to a band e t:> ' no microphone included for you, these places are probably great to check out! There are also some themed bars featuring live music. Themed venues are a great way to at tract many different live performers. Don't worry. You don 't have to dress up, but you may see some patrons and staff dressed to fit the part. Most of these places are constantly acquiring new and fun performers for all of their slots. If your band has a theme, then you ' ll know the exact place to audition. So whether you're in a band or just like a variety of music, here are some more places to check out. (continued on page 4) (continued from page 3) ·- Ye Old Town Inn is a pub that features rock and metal bands on the weekends; however, week days they have a variety of different scenes. I know was confused at first by the title of the venue and the type of music they play. I was expecting something more like a saloon. It was exciting to hear that Ye Old Town Inn actually has a variety of music within their theme. Wednesday is Brass from the Past night when they play rock, R&B, Motown, funk, jazz, and swing from the 60s and 70s. It's like musical time travel. Also, Thursday is jazz night. You can dance or just listen to some tunes that can take you back to the jazz age. On the weekend, you get to participate in head banging and mosh pits while some of your favorite local metal and rock bands play. Occasion ally they will even have some larger named acts for a memorable time. It does not matter what type of music you The one genre of music that people might not listen to. Typically you will be able to find a venue expect to find here is country. I was determined to in or near the Northwest Suburbs that plays your find a place that had the country twang and finally favorite music. So go out and explore; try a venue stumbled upon one in Waukegan. The Sundance you never thought you would. The two that are Saloon always has live music on Saturdays and they at the top of my list to visit are Ye Old Town Inn will even teach you some country dances. Typically, and the Sundance Saloon. Both sound like a lively the night starts with hour-long lessons and then they change of pace.