Hear 12 bands at 56 Yule Fix fundraiser benefiting Mooseheart
Mount Prospect is rocking in the holiday season with the second annual 56 Yule Fix music festival.
And it's for a good cause: the music is accompanied by a toy drive to benefit Mooseheart, a Batavia-area home for children administered by the Loyal Order of Moose.
From 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Dec. 14, 12 bands will perform at the Prospect Moose Lodge 660 at 601 N. Main St. in Mount Prospect. There will also be DJs spinning holiday music and two visits from Santa Claus.
56 Yule Fix grew out of the 56 Music Fix festival, held in August, which began in 2018. 56 Music Fix runs for three days at local venues throughout Mount Prospect. The name derives from the village's ZIP code, 60056. It was inspired by a Facebook page for local businesses titled "In the 56."
Chris Bozonelos is the manager of Mrs. P & Me, a Mount Prospect bar and restaurant, and a co-founder of 56 Music Fix. He said they got the idea for the festival one night at the bar when local musicians got to talking about the great music scene in the Northwest suburbs.
They wanted to bring people together to sample live music at local restaurants. So they formed a committee with the help of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce.
"It's about the feeling that live music invokes and creating a sense of community," Bozonelos said. "There are so many talented young artists in the area, and this is an opportunity for them to showcase that talent."
In its first year, 56 Music Fix featured 33 bands at 10 venues. In 2019, the festival drew 85 bands at 20 different locations.
Co-founder Kelley McCarron said Yule Fix is their way of expressing appreciation to the Prospect Moose Lodge, whose main charity is Mooseheart, for hosting 56 Music Fix.
"We wanted to thank the Moose Lodge for really going all out for having three days of bands," McCarron said. "I am a huge live music fan, and creating a place where kid and teen bands can play has been our priority. I tell young musicians all the time to keep practicing, and if they ever have a band, I'll find a spot for them."
Most of the bands playing Yule Fix during the day are composed of kids or teens, with the adult bands taking over at night.
The day kicks off with a visit from Santa at 11 a.m. and holiday tunes spun by M.C. Carron. At noon, youth band The Difference plays music from the 1950s through the 1980s. From 1 to 1:30 p.m., the Lincoln Middle School Choir performs. At 1:30 p.m., teen band Chapter 1 rocks out with classic rock and pop.
The Lincoln Middle School Silver Strings orchestra performs at 2:30 p.m. At 3 p.m., teen band Third Step on the Moon takes over with punk and indie rock.
Santa returns at 4 p.m. From 4:30 to 5:15 p.m., the Hoot Carolers sing carols and other music. At 5:15 p.m., I'm Just Saying plays indie, punk and alternative covers.
At 5:45 p.m., 3 Emmez - made up of three brothers ages 11 to 15 - takes the stage. At 6:45 p.m., the Uptones belt out a cappella tunes. Kevin Farris sings pop and indie rock at 7:15 p.m. And, at 8:30 p.m., Joe Corrado performs singalong carols. The night ends with youth band Two Weeks Notice at 9 p.m. and DJ Meteor at 11 p.m.
The event is free, but people are encouraged to donate toys or gifts. This year, Mooseheart, which provides a home and schooling for children whose families are unable to care for them, is especially looking for gifts for teens: deodorant, hair dryers, makeup and other grooming items.
McCarron said they do all the planning, marketing and booking of bands for free - and because they believe the festival is the perfect way for people to hear local musical talent. Their motto, she noted, is "Your neighbors rock!"
"Literally, you're rocking out to the girl you saw mowing her lawn earlier that day," she said.
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56 Yule Fix
What: Second annual family-friendly event benefiting Mooseheart Charities featuring live music performed by kids all day and adults in the evening.
When: 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: Prospect Moose Lodge No. 660, 601 Main St., Mount Prospect
Admission: Free; donations of toys and gifts accepted
Details: www.56musicfix.org