Homeroom's Picks for Jazz Fest

Today, 9/3, marks the beginning of the Chicago Jazz Fest. Chicago’s Jazz Fest isn’t like New Orleans Jazz Fest that will feature Dave Mathews Band or Ben Harper. Instead, Chicago’s has a much more narrow scope of jazz. Basically, nearly everything will swing and none of it will be found on pop radio.

Here are a few of Homeroom’s recommended picks:
AACM Experimental Ensemble: Friday, 1:45 at Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington.)

Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Orchestra: Friday, 7:10 at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

New Library on Chicago Ave and Ashland opens 9/7

West Town has not had a decent public library for a minute. There was a little one on 1300 block of W. Chicago, but that turned into a restuarant. (Branch something or another that took it’s name from being the former site of library.)

But Tuesday, September 7th, a brand new library will open at 1625 W. Chicago in the Goldblatt’s building. And this is no storefront library, but a large space with lots of books, computers and other resources. It should be a great resource for the community.

"Sameness" a book by alex fuller and gabe usadel

Alex Fuller and Gabe Usadel of The Post Family have recently published a beautiful book called The Sameness.

Here is how the creators introduce their book: "The Sameness,” as originally named by Lois Lowry, suggests a social balance through the rules of order and structure. All of life’s pain and spontaneity disappear through a rigid architecture of overwhelming conformity.

An interview with Gerard Barreto, Recording Engineer, Glamour Studios, Chicago

HR – How did you get into being a recording engineer and what keeps you doing it?

G – When I was in high school, I worked sound for the theater program and I learned a lot about microphones and other technical things regarding audio engineering. My good friend Dave’s older brother Tom would always have recording equipment around their house with which Dave and I would make little sound pieces. Tom recorded a lot of interesting experimental things and it really piqued my interest. I then went to Columbia College Chicago and enrolled in the Recording Department.

I keep recording because I’m always aiming to get the best sound, out of the best instrument, played by the best artist, to make the best possible record.

ICHTHYODYSSEY: a puppet rock opera 9/3 - 9/17

Homeroom probably isn’t alone in thinking that the best part of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is the puppet rock opera at the end. I mean, it’s a great movie from beginning to end, but puppet rock operas are awesome the to nth degree.

So we have to tell you about ICHTHYODYSSEY: a puppet rock opera composed and directed by Max Wirt. The production will be put on by the Rough House at the Puppy Tears Festival. The event runs September 3rd through the 17th on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and on Sundays at 7pm. We don’t have a lot of other information, but you contact the folks behind it by calling 408-646-9299 or
emailing reservations@roughhousetheatre.com.

Veggie Bingo to Benefit Algeld-Sawyer Corner Farm on 8/25

Who doesn’t love bingo? And who doesn’t love urban farms? Wednesday you can play bingo while supporting the Altgeld-Sawyer Corner Farm at the Hideout (1354 W Wabansia) starting at 6pm Wednesday, 8/25. The Algeld-Sawyer Corner Farm is a great garden in Logan Square that engages the community to grow and eat produce. So swing on by for a beer and bingo card after you get off work and support the community you love.

The Blue Ribbon Glee Club performs w/ Joan of Arc at Ronny's on 8/21

The Blue Ribbon Glee Club, Chicago’s best punk glee club, will perform at Ronny’s (2101 N California) with Joan of Arc, Maximum Wage and Abner Trio this Saturday, 8/21. With these bands known for wild shows, this is sure to be an event no one wants to miss.

10x10 Update

Recently Tom Smith completed his Blasted Diplomats print for 10×10. We can’t show you the final piece, but you can watch several hours of Tom’s work condensed to just about a minute in the video above…

If you haven’t been following the 10×10 story you probably need to a quick catcher upper.

10×10 is a collaborative print and music project facilitated by Homeroom and Spudnik Press. The idea is simple:

Ten Chicago printmakers chose their favorite Chicago musical artists and bands to each record an original song for a compilation. Currently each printmaker is realizing a 10″ × 10″, 3-color screen-print inspired by the song given to them by their chosen band. The final package will feature a suite of ten fine art prints and a ten-song compilation of exclusive tracks.

The 275 editions will be available in January and (this just in!) will be celebrated with a month long residency at The Whistler. Pre-orders are encouraged; we expect them to go fast.

We expect Joey Potts, Colin Palombi, and Sanya Glisic to finish their prints by the end of the month. For a complete list of participating bands and artists, or to pre-order click right here.