Teen Bands Ready to Rock the Green

Six talented bands will rock the community and compete for prizes at Rock the Green: Battle of the North Shore Youth Bands on Friday, June 6 from 6-9pm at Village Green Park. Thirteen bands auditioned in May before a panel of judges, who are music professionals. The following bands were chosen to perform, with their style of music and hometowns indicated:

• Bliss - Pop Rock (all-girl group from Northbrook)

• Blue Moon - Classic Rock (Arlington Heights)

• Lost & Found - Rock (Northbrook)

• Merseyside - Pop Rock (Arlington Heights)

• Saint Nicholas Cage - Pop Rock (Northbrook and Glenview)

• Xazz Quintet - Jazz Funk (Highland Park)

"The competition was close; only a few points separated the remaining finals' spots," said Drew Kambach, Performing Arts Supervisor with the Northbrook Park District.

"It's exciting to see some of the musicians return from previous years' contests and make the finals again. They are improving with every performance. The finals competition should be a lot of fun for the audience. The bands are evenly matched, which is evident from the semi-finals' scores, and they're really great."

This is the fifth year for Rock the Green, sponsored by the Northbrook Park District, Northbrook Arts Commission and Northbrook Youth Commission.

The Grand Prize is $300 and the chance to perform before a Park Fest concert on June 24 and during Northbrook Autumnfest on September 27. The second place prize is $150, and third-place winners will take home $75. Bands also can earn cash prizes for Best Original Song, Best Cover Song and Audience Favorite.

Each band consists of at least three members, and all the musicians are 19 years old or younger.

All ages are welcome at the free family event. For more information, visit nbparks.org.