Welcome to our lovely corner of the world we call Boystown. Well, not just WE. Everyone from the mayor to your mother calls it that now that we're so darned loved by all but chicken slingers and Jimmie "JJ" Walker. The time is now upon us in our lovely 'hood to host hundreds of thousands of guestssuch as yourselfto show you the best of food, booze and music (okay, really just the best of music) our community has to offer. This year, the lineup is the best we've yet to muster. Really. I'm not being sarcastic this time. So, as I do annually, here's my rundown of where you need to be and when.
Saturday. You'll want to browse the booths now, especially if you're one of those folks who collect the freebies. Those PIG keychains from Steamworks will run out eventually and you know you want to give your mother one. I'll be at the Chicago House booth (right by Steamworks) so come say hi.
That's done. Now time for your first show. 3:30 pm brings us Tony Award-winning singer Levi Kreis, formerly of Chicago. Levi's blend of soul and showtunes is a showstopper and he's not so bad on the eyes, either. After Levi, break for dinner (unless you really have to see that ABBA tribute everyone loves). Now that you're full of crab rangoon, you'll need it to either hustle between stages or to dance the night away at one. You can either head over to the Roscoe stage to catch folk star Eric Himan at 7:40 pm, followed by for Jessie and the Toy Boys ("Like You Better," "Let's Get Naughty") at the same stage at 9 pm. Or you can head up to the North Stage to get down with dance diva Wynter Gordon ("'Til Death") at 7 pm, followed by the queens of '80s synth and soul, The Pointer Sisters (too many hits to mention) at 9. While Eric and and Jessie will bring the fun, my bet may be slightly more with Wynter and the Pointers, even without our beloved Ruth.
Good Morning-ish, it's Sunday. Have fun yesterday? Hope you're warmed up because yesterday was just a rehearsal. The big guns are out for today. You can start out slow if you're hung over. You won't want to miss the awesome Windy City Cowboys or Chicago Spirit Brigade, especially the latter as they're opening for today's goddess number one, Sheena Easton (5:30 pm at Roscoe). Sheena's got two decades of material to choose from, such as "Sugar Walls," "What Comes Naturally," "Morning Train," and "For Your Eyes Only," so no worries about her whipping out the obligatory "new track." Here's where it gets tricky. One of the best and most gorgeous dance singers out there, Matt Zarley, is on the North Stage at the same time. I'll personally be darting between both. Matt's the next best thing to George Michael now that GM is no longer cute or talented.
At 7 pm you can rest a bit, as it becomes a bit easier. Sixteen Candles closes the night down following Sheena at Roscoe. Catch a few fun '80s tracks, then sneak up to North Stage to catch the adorable duo, Karmin ("Brokenhearted") who are basically opening for the queen of pop, Olivia Newton-John. Probably the biggest and most anticipated act in Market Days history, Olivia is so essential, that there's not even another act booked at the same time at the Roscoe stage! As she's sure to do hits like "Physical," "Hopelessly Devoted To You," "Xanadu" and "Magic," there's nothing up for debate. You've been blessed by Zeus (see Xanadu for reference) with a goddess. So make sure you thank him, and the Market Days organizers, for your luck. This is the year we may have finally bested Milwaukee (sad, right?). Have fun!
Catch Moose DJing Glenwood's Glenwoof Bear Night after Market Days on Saturday.