Chic-A-Go-Go-Going

By chicago_chris in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 23, 2004 5:31PM

Chicagoist knows you love dance parties, kids, cable access programming, puppets, and great bands. Well, they all finally come together in the local phenomenon Chic-A-Go-Go, which airs twice a week on Cable Channel 19. Self-described as "Chicago's dance show for kids of all ages," Chic-A-Go-Go is some weird amalgamation of American Bandstand, old Pets.com commercials, and children's television. Past episodes have featured the likes of some reputable performers, such as The Donnas and Kelly Hogan. They've also had some not-reputable-but-still-funny acts like Vanilla Ice. In fact, Chicagoist fondly remembers one particularly hilarious – and truly bizarre – installment featuring almost-famous local rockers OKGO playing with a back-up band of WBEZ radio personalities (including Ira Glass). As Homer Simpson says, "It's a party. It doesn't have to make sense."

Stop Smiling magazine – oh how Chicagoist loves you and your glossiness, Stop Smiling! – even did a profile on the show in their most recent issue, noting "both parents and kids get to play hooky while dancing along to their favorite bands and hamming it up with a wiseass sock puppet." And you too can play hooky and ham it up on a show literally seen by dozens of people. The program – which might be the only cable access show in history to have both a soundtrack and a best-of video – is holding a taping tonight from 5:30-8. Azita, Fun Club, and Telenovela will be performing amongst all the madness. So Chic-A-Go to Chicago Access Network studios at 322 S. Green St. to revel in the most fun you'll have this summer while sober.