Battle of the Bands finalists compete Saturday
Side Street Studio Arts, in conjunction with Intz-A-Palooza and Mountain King Music Collective, brings to a close its fifth annual Battle of the Bands competition this weekend, featuring area bands New Nights and Sunday Cruise.
The two have competed in the summerlong, popular-vote event since early June. The final battle will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court in downtown Elgin.
The winner will receive prizes from a variety of local sponsors, including Bravo Magazine, Danny's On Douglas, Elgin Fringe Festival, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Fat Cat Custom Guitars and Repair, Lubeck Studios, Rediscover Records, and The Village Squire, as well as a $1,000 cash prize from Side Street Studio Arts.
The two bands already won three rounds of battles, and have their final opportunity to win over voters with Saturday's 60-minute sets of original music.
Audience members in attendance have the opportunity to vote for the one band they prefer. The band with the most votes at the end of the night wins.
"Hands down, these have been the best shows we've every played," said Elgin resident Nick Connolley of New Nights. "A huge shout out to Side Street for organizing the whole thing."
"We have had an outpouring of talented and positive local musicians, artists, supportive friends and families, and wonderful volunteers and staff members that have made this year's Battle of the Bands one of the best to date," said Side Street founder and executive director Tanner Melvin. "And, it is folks like those that breathe life into SSSA and remind us of why we do what we do."
Side Street Studio Arts was founded in 2013 by Melvin and Erin Rehberg as an outlet for the Elgin arts scene. Currently under the direction of Amanda Harris, Roberto Martinez, Melvin, and Rehberg, Side Street provides educational and creative resources and an inclusive space, run by artists. Its mission is to support the artist and artistic journey through collaboration. For more information on Battle of the Bands or its programs, visit www.SideStreetStudioArts.org or email SideStreetStudioArts@gmail.com. Follow www.facebook.com/sidestreetstudioarts/.