Favorite local bands, chosen by votes, to play at Algonquin Commons
You voted on your favorite local bands, and the top vote-getters will be performing free concerts along the Randall Road corridor at Algonquin Commons this month.
Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon this month, the bands will play as part of the mall's Rock and Shop series.
The shows start at 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, and run until about 5 or 6 p.m.
The bands were selected after posting on the Algonquin Commons Facebook page videos of themselves playing.
Starting in February, mall officials invited local bands to upload videos and demos on the Facebook page.
The top 20 bands with the most likes and comments were then interviewed, and the finalists were selected to play as part of the free concert series.
The shows began on Saturday, July 9, with a performance by Tetrad, and Sunday, July 10, with Vessy Mink and Hot Noise.
The band performing Saturday, July 16, still is to be determined, but the Sunday, July 17, show will be by Gina Gonzalez.
The Wishful Larks will play Saturday, July 23, followed by New Age Renegades on July 24.
The band Captain Coopersmith will perform July 30.
Dirty Water will round out the Rock and Shop series on July 31.
Spectators are invited to bring chairs or blankets to sit and enjoy the shows.
Pop culture:
This summer, you can get immersed in pop culture at the Barnes and Noble in Geneva along Randall Road.
Whether it's Star Wars, Pokemon or Manga you love, there is something for everyone at various events happening at the store throughout the summer.
Coming up next is a Get Pop-Cultured Star Wars event, which begins at 7 p.m., Friday, July 15.
Wookie, Storm Trooper and Jedi fans can take part in trivia contests at the event, as well as giveaways, bingo and cosplay. You can also learn to play Star Wars X-Wing.
The event is free and open to the public.
At 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, there will be a Get Pop-Cultured Pokemon event, where you can get a photo with a Pikachu and Charizard standee. There also will be more events that day to celebrate 20 years of Pokemon.
Later that night at 7 p.m., there will be a Pop-Cultured Manga event with drawing and coloring activities from renowned manga artist Camilla d'Errico.
There will be another pop culture event on Thursday, July 21, which will feature a sale on comic convention items. The event, which will feature items by Funko, Diamond and more, begins at 9 a.m. There is a limit of two items per person.
On Saturday, July 23, there will be a Pop-Cultured DC event at 7 p.m. If you're one of the first to attend, you could get a free Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad Special Edition #1 Comic, while supplies last.
The Pop-Cultured events end on Saturday, Aug. 6, with a Marvel Universe event that will feature exclusive samplers, including the first storyline for Mosaic. There also will be coloring, cosplay, trivia and more.
The Barnes and Noble store is at 102 Commons Drive.
For information call (630) 262-8568.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.