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Chicago Gateway Green’s 20th Annual Green Tie Ball

I can’t believe this is the 20th anniversary of Green Tie Ball! I remember when I was graduating college and wanted to get involved in one charity that I knew could allow me to make a difference. I had always heard the best party of the year was called Green Tie Ball, so I did my research and found it was so much more than that I had to get involved.
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Chicago Band Map & Atlases at 1st A.V. Fest

Unless you’re some sort of magic snowman reading this blog in a Wi-Fi equipped freezer somewhere, you probably don’t want summer in Chicago to end. Part of the problem of losing the warm weather is it means we have to temporarily say goodbye to the gajillion music festivals that take place here. But before winter hits and the magic snowmen reclaim the streets, the pop-culture/entertainment website The A.V. Club is bringing us one more outdoor festival.
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Material Issue: Chicago’s Most Underrated Band?

Hungry for some new music to listen to? Then let me point your attention to the band Material Issue. Although technically not “new” per se, this amazing band formed in 1985 right here in Chicago. In 1991, Material Issue released one of the best pop albums ever, International Pop Overthrow, and broke on to the national music scene. Unfortunately, it seems as if the band had either arrived too early or too late with their fresh take on straight forward pop music. By the time they released their second (and equally great) album, grunge bands like Nirvana and new alternative sounds from the likes of fellow Chicago band The Smashing Pumpkins had taken hold. Sadly, the world never got to see Material Issue recover their popularity as frontman Jim Ellison committed suicide in 1996.

VIDEO: The Scissors Cover Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It”

I want to share with you one of my favorite local Chicago bands, The Scissors. More importantly I'm here to get your eyeballs on their new music video cover song of Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It" starring Yvonne Szumski in her new role as lead singer. (She used to be one of the guitarists with Darren Vorel as the lead vocalist.)

Otis: a Chicago Band that had a unique blend of New Soul, Funk, Blues & Jazz!

A few weeks back in a little bar over on Halsted a band caught my eye. I am usually seeking out the latest dub or electro to hit the scene, but back in the day I used to actually pick up my guitar. The blues, and rock & roll are actually what initiated my passion for music. Otis incorporates true live music, and it is unusual to see such talented musicians these days, especially when they’re all under twenty-five.
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Lt. Dan Band “For The Common Good”

The Fourth of July has just passed but let’s not let the celebration and support for our troops simmer down. There is a new movie out called Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good that has a way of helping us...
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The Savoy Ballroom – Chicago

Hey aChicagoThing.com readers...Caitlin Presberg here, Summer Intern for Rockit Ranch Productions. Walking down the streets of Chicago everyday can become a bit of a routine, when you travel down there...