Taste of Chicago headlining entertainment

 

Cameo, opens at the Petrillo Music Shell at 5:30 p.m. From the seventies, the unique funk-filled sounds of Cameo and core members Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins, Charlie Singleton and Aaron Mills have entertained audiences the world over with such hits as “Candy” and “Word up!”

 Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band is one of the most familiar voices in “R&B.  Fresh off of his newest release, Uncle Charlie, the nickname given to him by Snoop Dogg, Wilson provides music for all R&B fans; from ballads to upbeat tracks; from Gap Band classics such as “You Dropped a Bomb on Me” to his recent “Let it Out.”

 

Opening night of Taste of Chicago is presented by the City of Chicago and V103.

 

June 27 Counting Crows and Augustana

Counting Crows first entertained crowds at Taste in 2004. Counting Crows has been nominated for a Grammy Award®, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award® for their song featured in the movie, “Shrek 2”. Counting Crows have sold over 20 million records worldwide. The concert is presented by the City of Chicago and Bud Light Music opens at 5p.m.with Augustana, a band formed in Illinois.

 

June 28 The Wallflowers and Lovehammer

 The Wallflowers, with lead singer Jakob Dylan, returns to Taste. At the tender age of 14, Dylan, son of the legendary troubadour Bob Dylan, formed his first band with childhood friends, The Wallflowers.

Music starts at 5p.m. with Lovehammers, Chicago rock scene favorites with many new fans who supported lead singer Marty Casey during his run on the hit television show “Rock Star: INXS.”

 

June 29 Broadway in Chicago Concert in the Park

 Catch Broadway's biggest and best shows in "Broadway In Chicago Concert in the Park," The Best of Broadway is headlined by casts of Chicago's own JERSEY BOYS,  joined by the Broadway stars of MARY POPPINS, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, SPRING AWAKENING, IN THE HEIGHTS and others.  

 

An interactive hip hop dance contest with the members of the audience will be held on stage! Music begins at 6 p.m. Broadway in Chicago will be hosted by ABC-7's Janet Davies, star of 190 NORTH.

 

June 30 Barenaked Lades

Canada’s Barenaked Ladies makes their Taste of Chicago debut at 5:30p.m. Band members are Ed Robertson, Kevin Hearn, Jim Creeggan and Tyler Stewart. The band will soon enter the studio to work on their 11th album.

 

July 1 Ne – Yo and Keri Hilson

Las Vegas native and self-professed Rat Pack aficionado Ne-Yo, whose latest release is Year of the Gentleman, combines classic R&B and a late-sixties retro sound. The concert begins at 5:30p.m.with Keri Hilson fresh from her new CD In a Perfect World. The show is presented by the City of Chicago and WGCI.

 

July 2 Super Diamond and Afrodisiacs

Starting at 5:30p.m., Taste of Chicago offers free time travel back to the seventies with tribute bands Super Diamond and Afrodisiacs. Neil Diamond hits such as “Sweet Caroline” and “Cracklin’ Rosie” will have everyone singing in their seats after dancing in aisles to Afrodisiacs’ disco redux.

 

In an ironic twist, disco will live for one night at Taste in the same week that famed Disco Demolition leader and Chicago Radio veteran Steve Dahl will be cooking at the Dominick’s Cooking Corner.

 

July 3 Independence Eve Fireworks and 85^th Army Band

The Independence Eve Fireworks Spectacular honors the spirit the spirit of our country’s fight for freedom, Taste of Chicago honors the men and women who continue the battle for freedom, with the 85th Army Band. The reserves unit performs patriotic and spirited songs beginning at 7:30p.m. At 9 p.m, a musical soundtrack of contemporary and patriotic tunes, provided by 101.9 THE MIX, will accompany the fireworks spectacular.

 

Viewers at home can enjoy the Independence Eve fireworks on a nationally telecast broadcast on WGN Television.

 

July 4 Buddy Guy Brings on the Blues

Chicago’s own legendary Buddy Guy brings on the blues on July 4, presented by the City of Chicago and 93XRT. Guy pioneered Chicago’s West Side Sound and has influenced musicians around the world, including Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. This marks Guy’s first scheduled appearance at the festival. In 2007, he surprised audiences by joining John Mayer on stage.

Before Guy brings his brand of the blues to Taste, Guster takes the stage. The concert begins at 3p.m.with Booker T and the DBT’s.

 

July 5 Family Day with Mitchel Musso and Jordan Pruitt

 The City of Chicago and Radio Disney partner to present a concert aimed to the younger audiences with Mitchel Musso and Jordan Pruitt. Jordan Pruitt’s latest album, Permission to Fly, has yielded a song that rose to be the #1 requested song on the Radio Disney Top 3 Nationwide Hits Chart. Jordan will perform “One Love” and many more beginning at 2:30p.m.

Mitchell Musso will close Petrillo Music Shell for the 2009 Taste of Chicago. Mitchel Musso co-stars with Miley Cyrus on the popular “Hannah Montana” as Hannah’s friend Oliver and enjoys a thriving acting and musical career.

The Taste of Chicago is a free entertainment festival in Grant Park. While enjoying the free entertainment, people can visit the food booths selling over 200 different menu items that highlight the diverse culinary offerings of Chicago restaurants.

 

The 29th Annual Taste of Chicago is June 26-July 5 opening every day at 11a.m. until 9p.m. in Grant Park on Chicago’s lakefront. The Taste of Chicago closes at 6p.m. on the final day, July 5.

For more information on Taste of Chicago, visit www.tasteofchicago.us or call the event hotline, 312.744.3370 or TTY: 312.744.4964.

The Mayor's Office of Special Events encourages taking public transportation to all lakefront festivals. Call (312) 836-7000/TTY (312) 836-4949 for information on RTA, CTA, PACE and Metra. Lakefront parking is available at the Millennium Park Garage, East Monroe, Grant Park North and Grant Park South garages.