This Saturday, September 4, Lake Michigan will be covered in the sweet sounds of yacht rock. AOR gems from the '70s and '80s will dance gently upon the waves as a legion of smartly dressed smooth operators drink booze and dance upon a yacht. No, this isn't a flashback kids, it's what's likely to go down this weekend at the Stay Smooth XIV: Nowhere Left To Rum party being held at the Columbia Yacht Club. DJs Bald E. (Life During Wartime, Only Children) and STV SLV (Hood Internet) will be waxing poetic with their vinyl for most of the evening, spurring smooth moves to permeate the dance floor. The heat is likely to turn up as the grooves thicken during a live set from Quadrophonica a.k. a. "the finest smooth cover band this side of Lake Smoothigan." more ›

Hey Champ's "Cold Dust Girl" was our own official song of last summer, and it's looking to take that title for a second year in the row. The band is releasing a newly recorded version of the song in advance of their debut on Lupe Fiasco's st & 15th Entertainment record label. more ›

Our favorite nightlife photographer Clayton Hauck continues to get older as his subjects stay the same age. Help the sharp-eyed night owl celebrate living through another hectic year tomorrow, March 7, at Debonair from 2 p.m. until 5 a.m., and get there early to take advantage of the free "White Trash Brunch." Eggs with cigarette butts perhaps? more ›

Schubas' Tomorrow Never Knows Festival let loose with an initial flurry of bands playing the shows this January 14 18, 2009. There are more to come but the initial burst includes: Bishop Allen, Cursive, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, Thunderheist, The Donkeys, Tulsa, Colourmusic, Bear Hands, The Disappears, Pretty Good Dance Moves, The Wonderful World of Bald Eagle, Allá, and Vacations. There are no super huge surprises so far since all those bands are already pretty Schubas friendly, but we think it's a solid start hinting that there are probably some doozies still to come. This thing always sells out, so make sure to snag single show and / or five-day passes when they go on sale tomorrow, November 26, at noon. more ›

Last Saturday's Stay Smooth X was a blast. Yacht Rock cast members Hollywood Steve and Hunter Stair represented the show, DJs Bald Eagle and STV SLV had the assembled dancers displaying their smoothest moves, and cover band Haulin' Boats pretty much stole the show with an incredible set of classic FM-lite tuneage. We took a few seconds out from our time on the dance floor to snap a few photos to share with you. more ›

We love the Yacht Rock. We love the smooth jams. And we've loved this crap since we were kids in the '80s addicted to Kenny Loggins' appearance on what seemed like every single movie soundtrack in existence. As we grew older we also learned to incredible power Toto's "Africa" can exert over a dance floor, and that Steve Perry -- solo or with Journey -- can provide a direct route into the pants of your dance partner. Smooth is strong. more ›

We saw The Midnight Juggernauts open for Justice a few months ago and were surprised at how much enjoyed them more than we did the headliner that night. This Australian trio takes dance music, injects it with plenty of proggy Pink Floyd touches, a heavy dose of glammy disco, and then latches it all onto the back of a hard-charging muscle car powered by guitar churning rock and/or roll. more ›

Tonight marks the seventh installment of Stay Smooth, the every-so-often Yacht Rock-inspired party that's the brainchild of hot shit Chicago DJs Bald Eagle and STV SLV. What started as a gathering of friends and those in the know in the intimate upstairs lounge at Schubas has become a full-fledged calendar event, and the captain's hats, jean shorts, and deck shoes will be out in full force. Still confused on the Yacht Rock concept? Here's video that'll clarify: more ›