Vote for bands to play at Algonquin Commons

Local musicians are battling it out to see who will play live this summer at Algonquin Commons.

In a twist on the summer concert series, the folks at Algonquin Commons are asking local bands to submit an online video of them playing their music, whether it be country, blues or rock 'n' roll.

Then, the public will get a chance to vote on which of those bands will play at the Randall Road area mall.

Bands have until June 29 to post their video to the Algonquin Commons mall Facebook page, www.facebook.com/algcommons.

The bands with the most Facebook comments and likes will get to play live at the mall one weekend in July, and also will be paid $500 for the show.

This is a different take on the usual summer concerts that happen yearly in the area, where venues pick popular bands to play outdoors each summer.

This time the public gets to decide who they want to dance their summer nights away with, and local bands get some exposure playing a large venue, officials said.

Many of the stores and restaurants at the mall will be open during the shows.

Once the top bands are selected, the schedule for July will be set. Stay tuned to see who the public votes for and when they will be taking the stage at Algonquin Commons.

A place to rest:

If you're planning on having a picnic while watching any of the bands playing during the summer concert series at Geneva Commons or Algonquin Commons, you can get a free blanket to sit on during the live music shows just by shopping.

Geneva Commons is giving away free picnic blankets to customers, while supplies last.

To get the blanket, you just need to show $125 in receipts from stores and restaurants in Geneva Commons dated June 1 or after.

You can bring your receipts to The Walking Company, which is located next to the Gap in the mall. In exchange, you'll get the handy roll-up picnic blanket. There is one blanket per customer.

While the Algonquin Commons live music won't begin until July, the summer concert series at Geneva Commons goes through the end of June.

The next show will be, Wednesday, June 15, with The Hat Guys playing. The show runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Sunday, June 19, Hillbilly Rockstarz will take the stage from 5 to 7 p.m. at the mall.

• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.