Naperville bands to battle for Ribfest show
The prize in this competition is a lofty one for any aspiring high school musician immersed in rock, pop, alternative, folk rock or hip-hop.
The winner of the contest, to be staged tonight in the Community Concert Center in Naperville's Central Park, gets to perform on the Miller Lite Main Stage at Ribfest.
That's the stage that also will feature music legends REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent and Trace Adkins during this year's four-day Fourth of July festival in Knoch Park.
"There are some pretty big names," said Michelle La Scola, Naperville Park District program manager. "It's a coveted spot."
La Scola says 29 bands, featuring students from Naperville North, Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools, submitted demo recordings in hopes of making it into the final rounds of the park district's 2008 Battle of the Bands competition.
Nine bands were chosen by members of the park district's Youth Ambassadors program, which includes students from all four high schools. The program gives high school students a chance to help plan and carry out events for people in their age group.
"The Youth Ambassadors supports programs, events and activities for the high school population," La Scola said.
Each of the chosen competitors will bring along their sound team, take the stage and play for about 10 minutes, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Three judges will determine which three of the nine competing bands will get to play on Ribfest's Main Stage between noon and 3 p.m. July 5.
Instead of Paula, Randy and Simon of TV fame sitting in judgment, there will be former Naperville high school student Mike Gongol, a college student and booking agent, La Scola said.
Also on the panel will be Fred Gusel, the park district's superintendent of recreation, and Naperville North teacher Gino Campise.
La Scola said Battle of the Bands winners have played Ribfest stages for the past nine or 10 years, but have been on the Main Stage at the wildly popular festival only for the past three.
"They'll be the first entertainers on the stage that Saturday," she said.
Bands scheduled to battle for the privilege of playing the Main Stage are: The Introduction, Mirado Black Warrior, Burlington, The Hydropumps, The Sprouts, Garreth Spinn and the Shadow Figures, Lightning, AKA Foxy and Beneath City Lights. Several bands are composed of students from several schools.
Ribfest, a fundraiser for the Naperville Exchange Club's efforts to combat child abuse, also will feature live entertainment on the Brian R. Schultz Memorial Stage, 17 barbecued ribs vendors, a carnival and family activities.
If you go
What: Battle of the Bands
Who: Presented by Naperville Park District's Youth Ambassadors program
When: 4:30 to 8 p.m. today
Where: Community Concert Center in Central Park, northeast corner of Washington Street and Jefferson Avenue, Naperville
Admission: Free
Info: (630) 848-5000, napervilleparks.org or ribfest.net