05 Dec 14 - Chicago Artists Health Care

Hey, blogspot readers, time is now to get sign up for health care. However, with so many choices and options how do you choose which one is right for you as well as fits in your budget?

Recently at the iconic Cultural Center located downtown Chicago, SouthSide attended the annual Chicago Artists Health Care Town Hall event where local artists and musicians were able to speak to health care navigators in person about choosing the right health option designed around them. This free event sponsored by Get Covered Illinois also offered participants a chance to get free flu shots to ward off the virus bug before the flu season reaches its peak in January. 

While speaking with a navigator in person, participants were able to get immediate health care coverage no matter what their financial situation (financial assistance was available) ...even if you have a pre-existing condition too. Bi-lingual navigators were on hand if English wasn't your native tongue to make sure all of your questions are answered ...also there were mini health care conferences to help explain what everyone needed to know about health care and options. And with the deadline  fast approaching, SouthSide highly recommends signing up for coverage now.

If you live in Illinois and want more information about getting health care coverage, contact Get Covered Illinois at http://www.getcoveredillinois.gov or call at 1 - 866 - 311 - 119. Those living outside Illinois, you can visit http://www.GetCoveredAmerica.org.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

December 2013

Happy Holidays, blogspot readers!

There's plenty of time left to rock out your 2013 by checking out the following list of shows happening around town and elsewhere this month.

Please note all events/shows listed are 21+ unless otherwise specified...


Dec 1:
Reggie's Rock Club - check out sludge metal group Pale Horseman sharing the stage with southern sludgebilly The Midnight Ghost Train (KS) and reptilian acid rock King Hyss
$7

Dec 3:
Livewire Lounge - attention humanoids and robotics, check out Wire-Tripped that will feature not only the best in Electro/EBM/Industrial and Synthpop by The Audio Assault, Circuitry, and Peter Propaganda but also a screening of Blade Runner.
NO COVER

Dec 4:
NiteCap - Asgard Radio, Chicago Metal Alliance and Spook Show Entertainment presents The Devil's Playground featuring host David Bates (of Sinister Fate) as he spins your favorites in metal, rock, industrial, punk and goth with burlesque performances by Jezzibel Bates, Ammunition, Lenux Antibiotix, Lady India Deminuit ...also live music performances by D-Railed, Saence, Pulse Urn and Virtucide of Voodoo Queen Management
FREE / 10p

aliveOne - starting on this Wednesday (and every Wed until Dec 18) Cole DeGenova & the Peoples Republic will begin its residency. The 2nd set will be an open jam session with musicians/singers
FREE

Dec 5:
Double Door - RAWards (in music / fashion / art / comedy / film / multimedia)
$15 adv / $20 dos / 7:30p show

SoFo Tap (4923 N. Clark) - it's Back2Skool time with DJ VoxBox, Tommy Hall and Fred Says happening every 1st Thursday of every month
NO COVER

Abbey Pub - rock with Joe Marcinek Band featuring special guests Jennifer Hartswick and Allie Kral with Spare Parts and Business As Usual
$10 adv / $12 dos

Dec 6:
Ye Olde Town Inn - check out Of The Fallen, 3 Hour Catalyst, Spinning Red and Sinister Fate rockin' the stage here.
$8 / 10p

The Riverside Complex (2313 S. Throop) - It's Ballistic 3 featuring 30k watts of bass and custom video mapping stage to enhance your EDM experience as well as redefining (R)adical (A)udio (V)isual (E)xperience
$13 adv / $20 dos

Joe's Sports Bar - Casey Donachew Band performs material off their new album "Stand Off" at this venue

Double Door - check out Miles Nielsen with Ryan Powers and the Secret Weapons, Daniel and The Lion and Geoff Dolce
$8 adv / $12 dos / 8:30p

Elbo Room - rock with Front Runners, Workout Music and What It Do (On Your Marx)
$10

The Castle Theatre (Bloomington, IL) - check out Electric Elements with Gummy and Team Bayside High featuring Drop Dead and guests Kosmosis Jones and Notorious Nino
18+ dance floor / Exclusive 21+ VIP balcony / $20 (+$1 underage fee charged at the door)

Brauer House (Lombard, IL) - check out Radio Creeps along with WORM (the World Organization of the Righteous Movement) and Flood Damage rockin' the stage

Dec 7 & 8:
Division Street (Between Ashland and Leavitt) - shop local during the Do-Division Holiday Fest
11a / NO COVER

Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (1419 W. Blackhawk) - check out the Renegade Craft Fair Winter Market
NO COVER / 11a

Dec 7:
Saint Gertrude's Church (1401 W. Granville) - shop at this Christmas Bazaar and check out the lovely jewelry selection by Tracy Pilarczyk Shen (or shop online at http://www.stonecove.etsy.com)
FREE / 10a - 4a

LiveWire Lounge - prepare for Sacred Monster returning to Chicago for this one-night only performance featuring Relentless and Psycho Sister

Concord Music Hall - attend Midnight Conspiracy's "Rays of Ra" lazer show featuring Team Bayside High
18+ / $10

Elbo Room - attend Chords For A Cure's yearly concert event to benefit cancer research and help those in need of treatment. **ALL proceeds from this event will benefit the Leukemia Research Foundation** This event will feature acoustic sets by A Friend Called Fire, Crimson and Coal, Letters to Lillian and Rachel Katzman
$10 / 8p

Cubby Bear - it's Calm Like A Bomb's 10th Anniversary show featuring Lateralus Tool and Alice In Chains tribute bands
$7 / 9p

Dec 8:
Double Door - Da Bears Blog and Art of Men present an event to benefit the Otis Wilson Charitable Association featuring a Mike Ditka Look-A-Like Contest
$10 / 7p

Schuba's Tavern - it's the 2nd Annual Woman Power Holiday Show featuring Liza Day, Diana and The Dishes and Lady Laura performing at this benefit for Deborah's Place
$15 / 8p

Dec 9:
Chicago Cultural Center - Chicago Artists Healthcare Town Hall event where artists/bands can learn more about the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare") and how to sign up, find affordable health insurance plans, connect with Chicago-area health resources and enroll in IL Medicaid (if you qualify). Also get a FREE flu shot.
FREE

Schuba's Tavern - Sweden's Anna Van Hausswolff makes a special stop at this Lakeview venue during her US tour performing material off her latest album Ceremony

Double Door - check out this week's Double Holiday Feature: A Christmas Story and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with NO commercials!
FREE / 7p

Dec 10:
Double Door - 30 Seconds Over Chicago presents the Chicago Venue Advertising Competition ~ Finals
$10 / 7p

Dec 11:
Door No.3 (located at Double Door) - FABITAT featuring DJ Adam El (of 16 Candles / Berlin) spinning
FREE / 9p

Dec 12:
Liar's Club - it's Current Seas EP Release tour

Abbey Pub - NSP Live presents LEP Bogus Boys, Notrydo Sincere with Kaotic drumline, Beadz and more at this show hosted by Chi-Bizz and Suanye with DJ Kool Ant and DJ Shaun T spinning in between sets
$15 dos / $20 VIP / 9:30p

Dec 13:
Wynfield's (Satellite Beach, FL) - rock out Vertebreaker, Dropshots and Wallow Sound
$5 / 9p

Schuba's Tavern - attend this annual winder coat drive event, Warm, Safe Sound, in which fans are asked to donate coats (and/or sweaters) in exchanged for a reduced cover. There will be live music performances by The Locals, The Bright White, Ace Reporter, Hard Kiss and Young Distractions.
If interested in volunteering, email nowishistory@gmail.com

Ye Olde Town Inn - celebrate Armored Assault's Ten Year Anniversary Bender! featuring guests Cause Of My Affliction, Beyond Death, Testimony and Armored Assault
$8 / 9p

Cubby Bear - Hail to chivalry and honor! Take up arms, Red Team (and you too, Gold and Brown) because Cealed Kasket is returning to the stage in support of Moistboyz featuring Dean Ween
$16 adv / $18 dos

Mayne Stage - check out Jess Godwin rockin' the stage with a full band.
ALL AGES / 7:30p

Metro - rock out with Trainwreck Symphony, Tomorrow Has Arrived, The Run Around, Chicago Loud 9 and Standing On The Shoulders of Giants
18+ / $7 adv / $10 dos

Joe's Bar - Elizabeth Lyons with Brushville will be performing on stage here
$8 / 8p

Lincoln Hall - check out CIMMfest's FILMAGE:  the Story of the Decendants & All with special guest Q & A
18+ / $10 / 8p (sold out) / 10:30p

Dec 14 & 15:
Plumbers Hall - it's the Randolph Street Market's Beaux Arts
$8 - 10 / $3 - 5 (for students)
Please note the admission includes a $5 to $10 voucher good towards purchases
10a

Dec 14:
Empty Bottle - shop at Homemade Market for that special holiday gift
NO COVER / noon / 21+ event

Door No. 3 (located at Double Door) - Akasha presents Simmer Down Sound featuring The Graduate, Rad Brian, Marcus I with live music performances by Akasha (featuring Illuminati Congo) and visuals by Odd Obsession Movies ...drink specials and dancing's required
FREE / 9p

Martyrs' - The Steak House Mints will be performing their final show of the year with Leslie Hunt and Temple Schultz
$8

BBC (Milwaukee, WI) - it's the Heavy Holiday Hoedown featuring a cookie decorating contest and raffle and more with live performances by Modern Echo, Circus Fires and Lost In A Name
$7 adv / $10 dos

Tonic Room - SoundPrism presents Digeometric, Business As Usual, That Freak Quincy and Kabrakoi performing on stage here
$8

Subterranean - it's the 3rd Annual Noise For Toys in which  all proceeds (cover fee and/or unwrapped toys collected) will be donated to Toys For Tots organization (providing families in need with toys during the holiday season) featuring live music by Blane Fonda, The Noise FM, Board of Governors and Chasing Mars
$10 or $5 with donation of unwrapped toy / 17+ / 8p

Dec 15:
Double Door - The Retar Crew with Scratch Pilots (featuring Griff from the Verve Pipe), The Dirty Dirty Dollars and DJ Supernova
FREE

Exit (upstairs) - attend Gigi's (Giselle) Breast Cancer Benefit featuring DJ sets by Tomogatchi, Gil GAvin, Cecil Medin, Scarylady Sarah, Peter Propaganda and more with performances by Gigi Arroyo, Rya Red and Amourena Tsokatos
$1 to enter the raffles / 7p

Serbian-American Museum - attend the Jesse Charbonier Album Release party featuring delicacies by Chef Dejan and performance by Chicago's local Jazz singer, Jesse Charbonier along with Adrian Ruiz (on piano), Michael Lough (on bass) and other special guests. Attendees are asked to dress in vintage wear from 1920's to 50's.
$25 adv / $35 dos / 5p

Dec 16:
Double Door - it's another Double Holiday Feature: Elf and The Nightmare Before Christmas
FREE / 7p

Dec 17:
Double Door - it's the Double Door Holiday Rockathon featuring Magatha Trysty , 10,000 Light Years and The Elements of Style
$7

Reggie's Rock Club - The Wooten Brothers, Victor, Joseph, Roy "Futureman"and Regi will be rockin' this Southside venue.
17+ / $30 adv / $40 dos / 7p








Dec 18:
Door No.3 (located at Double Door) - it's the Thantos 20th Anniversary show with guest guitarist William Faith, Binary Partners, tim Larson and special guest DJs Scary Lady Sarah and Philly Peroxide
$7 / 8p

Fizz Bar & Grill - it's Rouge! Electro Swing time again. Don your finest Victorian / Steampunk / vintage wear and swing the night away with DJ / host Joseph Vourtequue
FREE

Dec 19:
SPACE (Evanston, IL) - actor Harry Shearer and his wife Judith Owen bring their annual Holiday Sing-Along tour with special guests to this venue
$22 - $36 / 7p

Dec 20:
Elbo Room - attend the Philippines Benefit Concert featuring Michael Laechel performing on stage. **50% of all proceeds will be donated to the victims of the Phillippine typhoon**

Double Door - it's the Deal's Gone Bad's 2nd Annual Holiday Homecoming with live performances by Deal's Gone Bad, Hard Lessons, Green Room Rockers and 6'10'
$10 adv / $12 dos / 8p

Lincoln Hall - Derek Nelson's new project Martin Van Ruin will be celebrating the release of their debut album Every Man a King with Pet Lions, NE-HI, and Derek himself opening the show
$12 / 18+

Dec 21:
Subterranean - check out the Steve Stone record release party featuring Molehill rockin' the stage

Ye Olde Town Inn - Celebrate Matt Wolf's birthday with Something Beautiful, Skull Fogger and 5 Minus X sharing the stage along with other birthday surprises.

Rockwood Music Hall (NYC, NY) - Jess Godwin will be performing solo on stage 1
3p

Lincoln Hall - it's the Black & White Dance Party gala featuring Autograf, Them Flavors and Covalence.
Formal wear/classy/fashion forward attire required
18+ (21+ to drink) / $7 adv / $10 dos

Red Line Tap - rock with 6 Degrees of Separation

Another Hole In The Wall (Steger, IL) - 89.1 Pure Rock presents Dark Days of Christmas featuring the following bands scheduled to rock your faces off - The Letter Black, Righteous Vendetta, Echoes of Ruin, Left At The Altar, Forgetting Last Monday, Monolith, Escape The Paradigm, The Trademarked and Unknown Zodiac.
ALL AGES (21+ - need ID to drink)  / $11 adv / $13 dos / 4:30p

The Mutiny - Queer Fest America presents A Very Queer Fest-Of-Us, a benefit event for Gay Liberation Network
NO COVER

Dec 22:
House of Blues (Chicago) - Villains unite! V Is For Villains is taking over House of Blues (again) with El Famous, Seconds to Serenity and Savior Self. Grab your ticket now from any member of V Is Villains and receive a special bonus (pre-holiday) gift!
ALL AGES / $10 adv / $13 - $15 dos / 5p

Dec 23:
Double Door - check out this Double Holiday Feature: Bad Santa and Die Hard
FREE / 7p

Dec 28 & 29:
Ravinia Festival - it's the 2013 Walgreens National Concerto Competition for Young Soloists hosted by Midwest Young Artists.
For details and entry information (including application), visit http://www.secure.mya.org/forms/competition/php

Dec 30:
Concord Music Hall - Gramatik celebrates the new year with Lowtemp
18+ / 9p


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

Chicago Music Summit 2013

"...Chicago is a global music powerhouse - activated by musicians working across multiple genres at the highest level of artistry..."

Blogspot readers, on September 20, the City of Chicago's Commission of Cultural Affairs & Special Events held a unique one-day music conference at the historic Cultural Center. Chicago Music Summit 2013 was designed to spotlight on this city's vibrant and thriving local scene. It attracted not only SouthSide but many other likeminded individuals within the vast musical aspects of the music industry ...producers, engineers, managers, vocalists, musicians, bloggers,  publicists, venue owners, talent buyers, et al to attend. All converging under one roof to network and to share ideas as well as learn new tricks of the trade or how to improve their chosen craft. Sponsored by Google, this was a conference like no other, blogspot readers, where attendees could meet and get professional advice from panelists/speakers such as Casey Meehan and Eddie Seslowsky (of Chicago Mixtape), Kenneth Olsen, Cellist of CSO (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Martin Atkins (author of Welcome to the Music Industry: You're F***ed), Kevin Browning (Umphrey's McGee Management, Strategy & Development), Joe Shanahan (owner of Metro/Double Door), Malik Yusef Jones "The Wordsmyth" (Grammy-winning songwriter, actor, poet, film producer, spoken word artist and philanthropist), Nan Warshaw (co-owner and co-founder of Bloodshot Records), Mark Messing (band leader of Mucca Pazza) - just to name a few.

Before attending the sessions, there was a special appearance and opening remarks by Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. aka Common, hip hop artist and actor to welcome everyone to this music conference, blogspot readers. He stated that he's proud to be from Chicago ...being from a town that has a rich culture in the arts, civil rights, and more. According to Common, it was an honor to open this conference because this musician could tell there was greatness in the room and talent to be achieved as well. "...when you want to achieve greatness, you have to find your path ...your voice..." says Common. Believe it or not, music wasn't his first choice. Guess what he wanted to be, blogspot readers ...an NBA star. Yet after penning his first rap song, he suddenly found his voice. It was a path which took him to many places around the world. "...and when you find your voice, it's not work ...it's your love ...your passion which becomes your work..." he told us before adding, "...you may have to work another job until your dream is able to support you ...[but] only you know your voice..." And that's the first step towards the path of reaching your greatness, blogspot readers - finding your voice. The second step is wearing your greatness ...or embracing who you are. When you believe in yourself, then others will believe in you. The third step is living your path which also means living through the challenges you're going to face while on the road to greatness. According to Common, these challenges can be turned into possibles. "...there will be dark days ...whether the obstacles are social, economic, health, etc ...[just] know there's a mountain top to reach..." He told us we should appreciate how far we've come as well as how far we have yet to reach that top. "...the right situation will be there for you ...no matter where you're headed towards the destination, your eyes are on the prize..." Common appreciates his team of supporters because without them, blogspot readers, he wouldn't be where he's at today to which he also advised "...always surround yourself with great people..." He ended his opening remarks by reminding everyone that "...greatness is in each and every one..." of us and "...don't play small ...play big ...believe your path is within you..." Wonderful words of wisdom to bestow upon the conference attendees before heading to their desired day-long sessions.

SouthSide began her day with The Science of Networking Strategies for Leveraging Opportunities, a session that featured Brian Zisk (executive producer of San Francisco MusicTech Summit), Michael Dorf (entrepreneur, producer, philanthropist, City Winery NY/Chicago), Jen Richards (managing director of eighth blackbird ensemble) and Alex Fruchter (of Closed Sessions) with Scott Fetters (oc ChicagoMusic.org) serving as moderator. During this session, blogspot readers, attendees were given solid pieces of advice of how to improve their networking skills within the music industry from basic networking tips to standing out from crowd and social media do's and don'ts. Tips on how one should  do their research before the person you want to network with and know what they want to get out of that networking relationship ...the best networkers are those who want to help not who are "what can I get from you" or "what I can get for myself" types of people ...and show respect towards people you want to network with. The panelist advised that if you want to be successful with your networking skills you have to stand out from the rest, blogspot readers. And the way to do that is perhaps - think outside of the box like being creative or having something that will distinguishes you from someone else. Other advice on this subject included being persistent but knowing the lines between persistence and annoyance, finding a way of having a polite and interesting persistence and not being too over eager or overwhelming but having a real positive influence.

Now that you've started a networking dialogue, how do you maintain it? Well, blogspot readers, you follow up and follow through (at least 2 to 3 days after meeting) and be contact sensitive by being direct, productive and brief - always leave them wanting more. Even though you don't want to swing with a big pitch on the person you're networking with, you should open with a brief dialogue first. Also flattery does work too. Remember - never ever assume Facebook is the primary source of communication since there are so many other platforms on the net like myspace, soundcloud, reverbnation, et al. Definitely engage people on Twitter but don't spam. Lastly, take your time ...be patient and find your common ground with others in your field. The session with tips on where to look for networking opportunities before taking questions, blogspot readers. The panelists advised that we should be a connector ourselves by going out the shows and being seen as well as owning our failures because there will be a lot of failures. Yet don't get discouraged. Failure is a good thing ...it means you're trying, blogspot readers.

After a mini break, it was time to head outside and across the street to the Storefront Theater to visit an old friend Martin Atkins and learn how to realistically survive within the music business as a band. As a musician for such bands like Nine Inch Nails, Public Image, Ltd. and Ministry, this speaker has a unique yet fun approach to his lectures that featured sound advice on what to do as well as not to do, blogspot readers, with his powerpoint slide show. He advised attendees on certain things like using social media with Japanese table manners, don't use the "I have a penis" approach as a pick-up line to introduce your band and YouTube rule but you only have 13 seconds to make that impression. It's always a great time Martin especially when he telling his stories about life on the road or about what other bands did to survive (as well as thrive) in this business especially on how to tour smart. He used phrases like "small is the new huge!" or asks thought-provoking questions like "why do band always pick the 500 people room?" to which he said "...if you have to play the phone booth, then play the phone booth..." He also advised being nice to everyone "...be the nicest to the people with the least reason for you to be nice to them..." because you never know what opportunity it lead you to. Always "...do the opposite ...gets better results..." and "...be consistent with your font size..." Before ending his lecture, he told us a couple more don'ts such as "...don't forget the power of music...", "...don't be a douche when trying to be everything to everyone..." and "...don't be afraid to throw blueberry muffins..." Yes, Martin did actually toss a few blueberry muffins into the audience at the beginning of his session. SouthSide highly recommends all bands/artists snagging a couple of his book Welcome to the Music Business: You're F***ed! as a handy yet helpful guide while navigating your way around and through the industry.

Concluding her day-long attendance at the Chicago Music Summit, SouthSide attended Breaking Out Regional: National and International Touring Opportunities that featured panelists Robert Singerman (of LyricFind, Brasil Music Exchange, 88tc88.com), Michael Yeke (president of House of Blues at Live Nation), Howard Greynolds (owner of Overcoat Management), Bill Bragin (Director of Programs, Lincoln Center) and Miss Alex White (of White Mystery) with Martin Atkins serving as moderator. Though mainly tailored for bands/artists and managers and/or publicists wishing to get their artists touring beyond the local scene, there were engineers and press (SouthSide) as well as interested parties learning firsthand knowledge on what to do and not to do. Before planning that worldwide tour across the pond or somewhere exotic, blogspot readers, you first have to know what it takes to succeed in the local market. Well, it takes great music, hard work and getting a fanbase ...but you already knew that, didn't you? But didn't you know it also takes being part of a band team, the ability to connect with other people, knowing your audience and know which venue you want to play. Despite not ever being a part of a band, blogspot readers, SouthSide already knows that once a show is booked, it takes a lot to get butts through the doors. This is where your networking skills come in handy as well as knowing who is the talent buyer. Within the band, delegate positions (i.e. merch, social media, booking shows, et al) to whom does what so it isn't just one person handling everything because working as a team is very important especially if you want to branch out beyond your local scene. And while at the venue, again - be nice to everyone (i.e. the bar staff, manager, sound guy) since no one likes a band that's an asshole, blogspot readers.

The panelists offered some advice in how to make your tour successful such as "...sometimes YouTube sensations doesn't translate to ticket sales...", " ...make the tour manageable ...make it enjoyable then profitable...", "...sometimes you have to take risks to find your fanbase..." and "...find opportunities that are out there to fund your tour..." in which that's how White Mystery funded their European tour. They found sponsors to fund their airfare to car rental.  Also, perform at different events i.e. charity functions to house parties and/or private clubs. But there's a downside to touring too, blogspot readers, in which it can be a pain in the ass. Be sure to have a strong team to handle crisis as they arise and remember, the foreign justice system is different than the US system. Miss Alex White (of White Mystery) advised in getting equipment protection to get covered for loss, stolen and/or replacement to be covered wherever you are and having plenty of band merch to sell. She also stated that if traveling outside the US to be prepared to pay taxes and border crossing and have your work permits in order (especially if touring the UK) because incomplete work permits will have you missing your tour. Lastly, be advised on the type of music that dominates your foreign market. For example, in Germany it's EDM while Brazil it's heavy metal and Japan is known for international acts. One more thing from Miss Alex White "...when overseas, have everything in writing ...a contract stating when, where, the date, band lineup, etc ...[just] in case they cancel on you..." before adding "...share equipment for quick band change over and soundcheck..." Oh yeah, know your foreign currency too, blogspot readers.

After a day of sessions, blogspot readers, it was time to relax, socialize and network with other attendees over delicious hor d'oeuvres and drinks (provided by City Winery) amidst lively DJ music. Then there were free music showcases featuring rock to contemporary/classical and hip hop as well as Jazz and Blues by local acts The Claudettes, Suns, Psalm One and more throughout the Cultural Center. Chicago Music Summit attendees were also invited to visit one of the many sponsoring neighborhood venues like Double Door, Reggie's Dragonfly, Martyrs' and Mayne Stage to sample more live local music as a part of World Music Festival Chicago. In SouthSide's opinion, this type of conference was a success and hopes everyone who did learned something new and/or better for their musical craft. She can't wait to attend next year's summit...


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide