Naperville to host a Battle of the Bands

Some of Naperville's top high school rock bands will perform in the 11th annual Battle of the Bands contest Friday, May 9, in Central Park.

Sponsored by the Naperville Park District's Youth Ambassadors, the free concert will run from 4 to roughly 7:30 p.m. at the Community Concert Center, 104 E. Benton Ave.

Eight high school student bands from the five area high schools will compete as finalists based on their applications and the quality of their demo recordings. Here's the order of the performances:

• 4 p.m.: Bluefish Movement, Neuqua Valley;

• 4:25 p.m.: Evil Never Dies, Metea Valley;

• 4:50 p.m.: Burn Out, Naperville Central;

• 5:15 p.m.: Tipsters, Neuqua Valley;

• 5:40 p.m.: Delta Sons, Waubonsie Valley;

• 6:10 p.m.: Dead Yet Alive, Naperville North;

• 6:35 p.m.: Where it Starts, Neuqua Valley;

• 7 p.m.: My Last Obsession, Naperville North.

The first-place winner will perform at the Naperville Exchange Club's Ribfest celebration over the July 4 weekend at a time to be determined and will advance to the Illinois Park District Association's Regional Battle of the Bands with a chance to perform at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

The second- and third-place finishers will play at the Naperville Park District's Rollin' on the River series on the Riverwalk June 20.

Performances will be followed by the awards. Concert T-shirts listing all of the bands will be available for $15 at the event. For details, visit www.napervileparks.org.