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312 BLOCK PARTY: Make Beer, Not Waste
Make Beer, Not Waste Street festivals define summer in Chicago, and Goose Island Beer Company kept the party going into September with their newly expanded two day 312 Urban Block Party. A desire for improved event sustainability, to more closely match the...
Chicago Sustainability Stakeholders Forum
As facilitator of the Chicago Sustainability Task Force, Bright Beat enjoys collaborating with some of Chicago’s largest facilities, events and leaders to move sustainability forward in the region. On September 30th, O’Hare Airport hosted our first Sustainability...
“Green For A Reason” Receives Recognition
“Green For A Reason” is the motto of the Village of Rosemont’s waste reduction program developed by Bright Beat. After successful implementation at Allstate Arena and two other sporting facilities, we adapted the program for the Village’s showcase development: (MB...
Mavis Staples 75 Birthday Celebration
There’s nothing like gettin’ the band back together… Although Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko and the gang weren’t there, the packed audience at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre was given a classic rendition of “The Weight” at the “I’ll Take You There –...
Plastic Pollution Coalition @ Bonnaroo
Wayne Coyne and ELEL at Bonnaroo 2013 (Photo: Brandise Danesewich) We are always excited to share stories about other organizations FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT… and happy when we see Rolling Stone helping to get the word out! We met Dianna Cohen and the crew at...
‘ROOING IT RIGHT… Sustainability at Bonnaroo
Bright Beat’s founder has attended the bonnaroo music & arts festival every year but one since it launched in 2002, providing coverage and commentary for Bonnaroo Specials that aired on WCKG via Bob & Ron’s Phishing Report & The Record Club. Stephanie...
GO DEEP!
My sister Mel & bro-in-law Joe just got SCUBA certified in advance of their next trip to Bali. For their reference, I jotted down my 1st 30 dives… fun to relive, while making me itch for a dive + others’ stories! Let us know if you’ve been to any of these...
CELEBRATING EARTH AND RECORDS
We had a extra good time that year, celebrating conservation and this ball of fun we live on… while supporting those independent record stores that keep the recording industry connected to the fans, via bricks and mortar and real people with thoughtful...
Remembering Jason Molina
Deep and brooding, haunting and mysterious… Jason Molina was a storyteller. His voice and music draw you in, feeling his pain, and maybe processing your own. He suffers no more. Jason Molina passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the age of 39. I...
The Scott Lucas NYE
Cheers to the big New Year’s celebrations across Chicago! We spent ours as promised… following around Scott Lucas. There was a line around the block when we arrived at Metro at 9pm. Scott Lucas and the Married Men came on at 9:15 sharp, and seemed fueled by the...
Bright Beat on Bonnaroo
We understand the hard work that goes into greening an event. You need a carefully constructed program, coordination of many different teams, and a reliable staff to execute the responsible separation of hundreds of tons of waste from tens of thousands...
Mofro is classic… and ON FIRE
**WARNING: If you are easily offended by Barbie dolls in provocative positions, you should NOT click the above music video link. If you dig da FUNK, and want to laugh your ass off at the goofiest/funniest video I may have ever seen…. CHECK IT OUT. I have been...
The Afghan Whigs
A 2012 love letter… Those of us who remember the ‘90s may recall a certain Cincinnati band blowing our minds with an almost addictive psychedelic soul-punk sound. Legions of fans and critics adored the Afghan Whigs, and have longed for a reunion since their...
Miike Snow
A 2012 preview… An unexpected standout for me at bonnaroo last year, I am looking forward to seeing the “Toxic” duo (plus Andrew Wyatt) at Lollapalooza, touring in support of their latest release, Happy to You. Miike Snow is more than just some hot Swedish...
The War On Drugs
A 2012 preview… Their performance of “Come to the City” on David Letterman (click above to watch it!), clinched it for me. I am PSCYCHED to see The War on Drugs at Lollapalooza! This Philadelphia group combines blue-collar visions and personal ponderings with...
Fela! The Inspiration… as told by a Queen.
You’ve heard all about Fela! The Musical. It’s an amazing broadway show that brings the godfather of Afrobeat and his music to life, inspiring audiences to rise up against intolerance and injustice. An unexpected dimension to this story, quite artistically...
Quintessential Chicago Blues: Buddy at Buddy’s
Last night wrapped up Buddy Guy’s annual January residency at his club, Buddy Guy’s Legends. Sixteen shows in all, at which you could count on his on-stage guitar theatrics and nightly walk through the crowd – and upstairs or outside – to let his axe holler straight...
con·cert
noun \ˈkän(t)-sərt, ˈkän-ˌsərt\ 1: agreement in design or plan : union formed by mutual communication of opinion and views 2: a public performance (as of music or dancing) I love concerts… watching the live performance of good music by talented artists,...
Dobet Gnahoré
Artistry Transcends Culture… and INSPIRES Old Town School of Folk Music has consistently brought an impressive array of African artists to Chicago. In doing so, they have helped to build an ever-growing and diverse fan base for performers from all parts of the...
SXSW ECO 2011
The SXSW Music Conference in Austin, TX has gained notoriety worldwide for breaking new artists and attracting top names on all sides of the industry. Since its inception as a regional music conference 25 years ago, it has expanded to include Film and Interactive. The...
ALBERTA CROSS
ALBERTA CROSS is a Swedish-English born band that moved from London to America to find fans and inspiration. Their sound is often described as ”Southern Rock”, but I think it has more emotion, more fight, and an what I’d call ‘Swedish soul’. Their first...
OUTSIDE LANDS
Outside Lands is an enormous, well-programmed, well-managed event in Golden Gate Park. Although 2011 was our only trip there, it was a memorable one… SUSTAINABILITY: SFers expect a green festival, and I think they got one. Clean Vibes Founder Anna B. executes...
ANA TIJOUX
Born in France to Chilean parents during the 70’s exile, Ana Tijoux is a cross-cultural artist who raps and resonates with Spanish, French and beyond. She returned to her roots in post-Pinochet Santiago, emerging from its burgeoning hip-hop scene with the late...
A look back at LOLLAPALOOZA (1991-2011)
Lollapalooza Year One / 1991 It’s like a flashback, reading the back of my black concert t-shirt (yes, I still have it!) - Jane’s Addiction, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Living Colour, Nine Inch Nails, Ice-T, Butthole Surfers, Henry Rollins Band, Fishbone,...
MY MORNING JACKET
I’ve seen Jim James amaze an audience of one hundred with just his voice and an acoustic guitar. I swear he has the power to bring the rain – he’s done it at least twice that I’ve seen. But there is no denying the elevating energy this 13-year old Kentucky...
REPTAR
Reptar WOWed me at SXSW 2011. There is a video below… the sound isn’t great but the song will hook you. All 4 guys in the band are in a constant state of motion during their set . Lead singer/guitarist Graham Ulicny generally freaks out – in a good way. ...
WALK THE MOON
I love being at a festival, wandering up on a band I don’t know and immediately getting hooked! That happened to me this year at SXSW, with Walk The Moon. A well-balanced musical foursome, their music seems young, yet polished. Danceable and fun! And their...
pathways to THE BLUES
"I'm from Chicago... yes I love the Blues!" I have uttered that phrase more than once, and talked about blues music innumerable times as I travelled around the world. It’s a hallmark of Chicago I prefer discussing at length, much more than ”Al Capone, bang!...