Empty Out Your Wallet: Summer Is Upon Us
By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 17, 2009 4:15PM
After a week of cold, gray days, the sun is shining across the city. Warmer temperatures remind us that we are nearing Chicago's best time for live music. You've probably already purchased your Pitchfork and Lollapalooza tickets, but remember summer holds more than just festivals.
We aren't afraid to fess up to our guilty pleasures, especially when they apply to music. No summer is complete without some good old-fashioned arena rock. Take a night off from karaoke and Guitar Hero and check out Aerosmith on August 28th at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre.
Aerosmith, Friday, August 28, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, All Ages, $35-$200, Tickets on sale Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. via Live Nation
It's a rough economic time for us to ask people to "Empty Out" their wallets. For those of us still holding on to an entertainment budget, it's a great time to see a show that benefits a cause. Venerable hip-hop MC Talib Kweli plays the Dare 2 Dream concert and silent auction at House Of Blues on May 2nd. The show will benefit Working in the Schools (WITS), a non-profit focused on increasing reading and learning proficiencies amongst low-income and minority students in Chicago Public Schools. An extra $5 donation to WITS affords fans the chance to meet Kweli.
Talib Kweli w/ Swamphouse, Saturday, May 2, House Of Blues, All Ages, $30, Tickets on sale Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster
Phoenix's newest album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix has been rocking our turntables for weeks. The French quartet's bright, guitar-laden rock is the essence of summer and we couldn't be more excited for their upcoming June 13 show at one of our favorite Chicago venues, Park West.
Phoenix w/ Amazing Baby, Saturday, June 13, Park West, All Ages, $17, Tickets on sale Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster
Every so often something slips past our well-honed radars and we can't possibly close without a mention of a benefit for the United States Vietnam Arts Program tomorrow night by a musical project from Steppenwolf's Gary Sinise. Named after his famous Forrest Gump character, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band cover classic music from Aretha to Springsteen. They've even been known to throw in a little Linkin Park for good measure. The benefit takes place at Joe's Bar on Weed Street.
Gary Sinise and Lt. Dan Band, Friday, April 17, Joes, Valid Photo ID Required, $20, via Ticketmaster.