The Sound of Green

By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 14, 2009 8:30PM

Some say Chicago has offered much in the way of green initiatives, and others are scathing critics of our city's lack of environmental concern. There's plenty of room for improvement and some has arrived, in the form of Chicago's first green neighborhood festival, Green Music Fest, taking place this Saturday and Sunday at Eckhart Park in West Town.

The two-day festival has a music focus, but serves as a watering hole for all things green, gathering merchants of ego-goods, food and drink vendors making use of recycling, composting and biodegradable cups, bike valet, a Family Fun Fest complete with a kid's entertainment stage and sponsorship from the city's Center for Green Technology. Sixty vendors will peddle their conscious wares over the weekend and it's a great chance to meet and greet likeminded folk.

Green Music Fest wouldn't be a music fest without the bands, and two stages populate the park with a variety of acts curated by Subterranean. We plan to check out the festival on Saturday for performances from indie rockers Tapes 'n Tapes and the new wave, dance punk stylings of Art Brut. Sunday's highlights include Southern fried punk from Lucero and ambitious indie pop by Canasta.

Whether you are a green enthusiast, or just a music fan, the weekend offers a great chance for a little learning and a lot of entertainment.

Green Music Fest runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16. Tickets are $11.50/advance or $15/gate for a day pass, and $20/advance, $25/gate for a weekend pass. Kids under 12 are FREE. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.