Local talent at Septemberfest
There will be much local musical talent represented at this year's Septemberfest in Schaumburg, including the newly crowned Schaumburg Idol Jessica Blakely.
Judges gave 13-year-old Blakely the edge after online voters had her deadlocked with fellow finalist Rachel McKenzie in the Schaumburg Park District-sponsored competition. Ten other singers also competed this year.
Blakely will perform at Septemberfest at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Schaumburg Marriott Music Stage on the village's municipal grounds, 101 Schaumburg Court.
Blakely sang "If I Ain't Got You" and "Orange Colored Sky" for her final judged performances, while one of her earlier songs, "I've Got the Music in Me," proved to be one of the highlights of the season.
All Schaumburg Idol performances from this season can be found at parkfun.com and still air regularly on cable-access channel WSPD.
The professional local rockers of Second Time Around will open for Gin Blossoms on the final evening of Septemberfest, performing from 5 to 6:15 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6.
Some of the band's favorite selections include "Hush" by Deep Purple, "Funk No. 49" by the James Gang and "I've Seen All Good People," by Yes. While their emphasis is classic rock of the '60s and '70s, they also play such blues-based hits as "Sweet Home Chicago," "It Hurts Me Too" and "Move it on Over."
The band's nine members come from throughout the Northwest suburbs, including vocalists Jim Allen and Angie Fridono of Inverness and Toni Callahan of Tower Lakes.
The lead guitarists are John Tow of Palatine and Al Hamilton of North Barrington. Drummer Scott Godsey hails from Lake Zurich.
Bassist Steve Fahrner lives in Palatine and keyboard player Joel Dalsky in Marengo.
John Fridono of Inverness is not only the founder and leader of the group, and is its acoustic-slide guitar and harmonica player.
Other acts taking the main stage throughout the weekend are The Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and The Buckinghams from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 4; and 7th Heaven from 6 to 7:15 p.m. and Foghat from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 5.