Jay-Z Announces 2010 Tour Dates. Chicago Not On List.

Back in September we lined up with hundreds of Chicagoans outside the House of Blues for a chance to see Jay-Z's Samsung-hosted elusive free show. And like many of the same people we queued in line with that evening, we went home unable to even make it as far as the venue doors.

We thought the announcement of Jay-Z's 2010 Blueprint 3 second leg tour dates would more than make up for missing the free show, but amongst the list of every major city from DC to Dallas to LA, Chicago is not mentioned. We're both surprised and disappointed, but area Jay-Z fans aren't without all hope of a performance from the NYC-based hip-hop artist who plays a few hour drive away in Champaign next Thursday night. Now who wants to give us a ride?

Jay-Z with N.E.R.D., Wale and J. Cole, Thursday, November 12, at the Assembly Hall, Champaign, IL, 8 p.m., $36-$76 via Ticketmaster