Suburban venues rock Black Wednesday with Homegrown Encore, music shows
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is nearly a holiday in and of itself. The night when college students and out-of-town guests arrive to reconnect with friends and family is also one of the biggest bar nights of the year. Many people, at least the ones who aren't busy stuffing turkeys, are looking for something fun to do.
Suburban venues are stepping up with shows, including a music fest at BaseCamp Pub and Eatery in Lisle.
Following the success of August's Homegrown Arts and Music Festival, the man behind the festival, Glen Ellyn native Aaron Williams, has coordinated an encore show for Black Wednesday.
“The turnout was so great, and the vibe, the word-of-mouth was just really, really huge,” Williams said. “Matthew (Galanes, general manager for BaseCamp) and I agreed we should have a little encore show to keep the enthusiasm and to give these bands an opportunity to showcase on a really big party night.”
The Homegrown Encore takes over BaseCamp at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, with a lineup of five bands, all from DuPage County and surrounding suburbs. Harlan Flo kicks off the show with vintage acoustic rock, followed by alternative rock from Gallery-81 and the Aaron Williams Band. From the Start slides into the penultimate slot, with Homegrown crowd favorite North of Eight rocking the blues as headliners.
“Most of the bands who've played Homegrown are really hungry, really putting themselves out there,” Williams said. “I tried to bring back bands who were bringing their fan bases out, who got everything they could out of Homegrown.”
In addition to original music and merchandise, guests will also be treated to the release of Aaron Williams Band's single, “Oh, Mindy,” which they wrote for the locally produced feature film “Mind Over Mindy.” Digital download cards will be available at the show.
“Bands are coming together, they're playing together,” Williams said about the camaraderie between the musicians. “A lot of bands made friendships, kept in touch. It gives them that energy artists really need to keep on moving on.”
And isn't being with friends, keeping in touch, what the holiday is all about?
Other Black Wednesday highlights:
Turkey Testicle Festival: Features 7th heaven, Modern Day Romeos, Boy Band Review at 1 p.m. at Parkside Pub, 11721 Main St., Huntley. $10, $60 for VIP. (847) 669-8496 or parksidepubhuntley.com.
Broken Oar's Turkeyball: Features DJ Brownie Byte, Bella Cain, Friction, Rumor Hazit, Lava Rock and SEMPLE at 3 p.m. at Broken Oar Marina Bar and Grill, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington. No cover before 5 p.m.; $5 after 5 p.m. (847) 639-9468 or brokenoar.com.
Sealed with a Kiss: Features April Rose, DJ FLO, Bentley Dean and Matthias at 8 p.m. at QBar Glendale Heights, 2240 Bloomingdale Road, Glendale Heights. $5. (630) 893-9346 or qbarglendaleheights.com.
The Crombies, Run and Punch, Beat the Smart Kids: 9 p.m. at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. No cover. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Cymatic, WaxWorks: 9 p.m. at Sideouts, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake. $5. (847) 526-7174 or sideouts.com.
Fletcher Rockwell: 9 p.m. at Empire Burger Bar, 48 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. No cover. (630) 355-9000 or empireburgerbar.com.
EGi., Frogleg: 9 p.m. at Mackey's Hideout, 2601 S. River Road, McHenry. $10. (815) 363-7040 or mackeyshideout.com.
Frisky Taylor: 9:30 p.m. at Fire Bar, 435 Angela Lane, Crystal Lake. No cover. (815) 459-3473 or amresults.com.
Mungion: 9:30 p.m. at Coleman's in Cary, 645 Industrial Drive, Cary. No cover. (847) 516-2819 or colemansinthepark.com.
Wedding Banned: 10 p.m. at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Homegrown Encore
Where: BaseCamp Pub & Eatery, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle, (331) 777-4712 or
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23
Tickets: $10;