CHICAGO – It began with a boy and his dream (nightmare?). John LaFlamboy, to be exact, as he took an idea he had in college and made it his life’s work. He owns and operates the HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport (Illinois), which was designed, built and put together by Haunted House experts expressly for the spookiest month of the year. For info on how to purchase tickets, click HellsGate.
HollywoodChicago.com Music News, Reviews & Interviews
Entertainment News: Virtual 2020 YippieFest now August 21-23
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 12, 2020 - 11:50amCHICAGO – It’s coming! YippieFest 2020 – joining the virtual and online revolution during these particular times – is set for August 21st through the 23rd. Details to come on schedules and times, but the whole fest can be downloaded for FREE on those dates through TWITCH streaming service. Click here for more details.
Entertainment News: Virtual 2020 YippieFest Extends Registration Deadline to August 2nd
Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 31, 2020 - 8:27pmCHICAGO – Got an act? Got a camera phone to record it? Then YippieFest wants you! The fourth annual Theater, Music, Film, Comedy and Performance festival is doing what all the hep cats are doing, going online and virtual to keep everyone safe (details closer to the actual dates of YippieFest, August 14-16, 2020).
Podtalk: Melissa Grubbs of Chicago's Reckless Records on ‘High Fidelity’ Pop Up, Feb. 13-15, 2020
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 13, 2020 - 12:06pmCHICAGO – “High Fidelity” is back! The iconic 2000 film, which was set in Chicago, is being rebooted as a Hulu series featuring Zoë Kravitz.
Interview: Local Band whitewolfsonicprincess to Appear at Evanston’s Space, Sept. 4, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 3, 2019 - 9:44amCHICAGO – The venue called Space is one of the finer rooms in Chicagoland – specifically Evanston, Illinois – and one of the finer local bands will be making an appearance on Wednesday, September 4th. whitewolfsonicprincess (wwsp) will be playing tunes off their third album, “The Alternate Boot,” released in February of this year, and selections from their entire catalog.
Podtalk: Frank Carr of ‘YippieFest,’ at the Prop Theatre in Chicago, Aug. 16-18, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 16, 2019 - 4:50pmCHICAGO – It’s the 3rd annual YippieFest in Chicago at the Prop Thtr (Theatre), and the three days of Theater, Performance, Music, Film, Comedy and more kicks off with its 2019 edition on Friday, August 16th (7pm), and runs through Sunday, August 18th. The Fest evolved from the spirit of Mary-Arrchie Theater’s Abbie Hoffman Fest, which began 30 years ago (1989), and ended in 2016. The Fest also celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock music festival, which coincides with the weekend. For more information on YippieFest, including tickets, click here.
Soundbite: Composer Stephen Schwartz on Bob Fosse, of TV Series ‘Fosse/Vernon’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 27, 2019 - 8:51pmCHICAGO – The final episode of the FX Network’s miniseries “Fosse/Vernon” airs on Tuesday, May 28th, 2019, concluding one of the more fascinating explorations of a historic show business couple. Bob Fosse and Gwen Vernon were titans of Broadway (and for Fosse, beyond), and one of BF’s collaborators was Stephen Schwartz, the composer of Pippin, which Fosse directed and choreographed.
Interview: Alecia “Mixi” Demner, Singer & Songwriter from ‘Stitched Up Heart’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on May 11, 2019 - 5:24pmCHICAGO – Hard rock to their core, the band “Stitched Up Heart” combine powerful vocals and soulful lyrics to make the band a rock ‘n’ roll force to be reckoned with … Stitched Up Heart recently released their new track “Lost,” featuring Godsmack front man Sully Erna. “Lost” is the first track released off their upcoming sophomore LP that will be released in the fall.
Interview: Local Band whitewolfsonicprincess Releases ‘The Alternate Boot’ on Jan. 8, 2019
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 7, 2019 - 4:12pmCHICAGO – The album premiere is a cause for celebration, and the local Chicagoland band whitewolfsonicprinces (wwsp) is debuting their third album, a double set release called “The Alternate Boot Vols. 1 & 2” on January 8th, 2019. For more on the album release and all things wwsp, click here.
Podtalk: Desiree Burcum of ‘Yippie Fest,’ at the Prop Theatre in Chicago, Aug. 17-19, 2018
Submitted by PatrickMcD on August 17, 2018 - 9:06amCHICAGO – It’s the 2nd annual Yippie Fest in Chicago at the Prop Thtr (Theatre), and the three days of Theater, Performance, Music, Film, Comedy and more kicks off with the 2018 Opening Ceremonies on Friday, August 17th, and runs through Sunday, August 19th. The Fest evolved from the spirit of Mary-Arrchie Theater’s Abbie Hoffman Fest, which ran from 1989 to 2016. The Fest also celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Yippies (Youth International Party) in Chicago, during the Vietnam protests in August of 1968. The whole world was watching. For more information on Yippie Fest, including tickets, click here.
Photo Gallery: Emo Nite LA Performing at Wicker Park Fest
Submitted by JeffDoles on July 30, 2018 - 9:18amCHICAGO - Emo Nite LA performed at the Wicker Park Fest on Friday, July 27th, 2018. Emo Nite has origin in three friends (Babs Szabo, T.J. Petracca and Morgan Freed) performing at a small dive bar, and has grown into a full-blown phenomenon. Of course, they have been able to bring together some of the most incredible names in music who have become part of this Emo Nite “family”… including Halsey, Sonny Moore (Skrillex) & From First to Last, Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional), Mark Hoppus (Blink 182), Post Malone, Demi Lovato and so many more.
They have been able to throw regular events in dozens of markets across the country, and have had spots on lineups at festivals like Life is Beautiful, Slam Dunk, BUKU and Vans Warped Tour. They have created successful clothing collabs with companies like OBEY, Urban Outfitters, PLEASURES, Rose in Good Faith, OWSLA and more. But above all else, they are ever changing the idea of what a music event can be.
