Youths make noise at library in Battle of the Bands

Elgin's Gail Borden Public Library may have to relax its rules Sunday when it hosts loud music and messy food during a battle of the bands.

Six bands, with styles ranging from acoustic rock to death metal, will compete for bragging rights and a year's supply of burritos in a contest that's a first for the library.

"It was really a chance to connect with kids in a different way," library Director of Marketing Denise Raleigh said. "We hope they'll come to see the bands and stay to see what else the library has to offer."

The battle also is a chance for young area musicians to find a local audience. The bands are all from the area, Raleigh said, and most are composed of local students.

Tanner Bednar, a seventh-grader at Elgin's Larsen Middle School, sees the competition as a chance to get exposure for his band, Chaotic Harmony.

In addition to exposure, the winning band will receive a year's worth of burritos from Chipotle restaurant and a $150 gift certificate from Weaver's Music in Elgin.

The free performance will run from 2 to 4 p.m. on the west lawn of the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. In case of rain, the show will be moved indoors, with free tickets available at the library after 1 p.m. The first 100 people to arrive will receive free chips and guacamole.