DANCING ABOUT ARCHITECTURE

As I write this I’m staring at a well-worn plastic beer stein (filled with water–it’s only noon) and dreaming of six hours from now when my official street-festival-mojo kicks in with Lincoln Square’s Maifest. You’d think as one of the biggest music whores in this town, I’d be dreaming of Lollapalooza and Pitchfork, but believe it or not, those are just too much for my wallet, and I’m a sucker for great local acts served up by one of Chicago’s zillions of summer street fests.

Last year Andersonville’s Midsommarfest eclipsed Boystown’s Pridefest and Market Days for me in terms of good music and hot men: two things that rule my world. This year it’s looking to make both look positively gauche. MSF, as I’m calling it, kicks off at 11 a.m. on Sat., June 11, and just two hours after it starts I’ll be front and center for the rollicking alt-country sounds of Devin & the Straights. Hang tight there because the acrobatic Chicago Spirit Brigade—always a crowd favorite—show how they make cheerleading even gayer, followed by one of my favorite local acts, The Joans (think The Cramps and The B-52s opening for The Smiths in Joan Crawford drag). Then, at 6 p.m. it gets tricky. You have figure out how you can see the amazing cover band Rock Candy, featuring Molly Callinan (Cat Fight), the sexiest frontwoman in Chicago, then have time to squeeze in the always sexy Chicago favorite Sixteen Candles and their crowd-pleasing takes on John-Hughes-era rock. If you miss them, make sure you get to The Glenwood’s Pride Day party with Moosebox as the opener/host [PLUG!].

Some festivals seem to load up all the top acts later in the day. Not Midsommarfest. Sunday kicks off at 2 p.m. with one of my favorite bands. 7th Heaven, a cover band brimming with way to much talent and featuring a reality show winner, will blow your mind. If you leave right as the last riff comes from 7th Heaven, you may have time to get to hear the Brazilian rhythms of Chicago Samba at 3 p.m. for a great change of pace. Personally after Chicago Samba I have to go home and walk the dog, but if you’re raging on, the funk and soul of Bumpus will chill you out like a cold beer.

Leave it to this fest to give us something for everyone for the finale. You probably already saw Sixteen Candles the night before, so skip them on Sunday and check out the truly legendary al-country god Robbie Fulks with Nora O’Connor. They’re most likely going to be doing some kids’ stuff too, but no worries. Robbie could sing NWA covers and still make you miss Hank Williams.

If you want more Sixteen Candles, come see Moose host them at The Glenwood’s Pride North Festival June 26 at 4 p.m.