Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics Podcast: A Centrist View on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the USDA Office of Rural Development.
    Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates Federal
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife
    Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy Blogger
  • Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting.
    Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves Cook County
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium Cook County
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock Blogger
  • President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine? Bill Lipinski
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    Kelly, Foster, Newman among those voting to pass Assault Weapons Ban Act Crime
  • Hanania newspaper column on Pritzker pushing for Democratic National COnvention
    Pritzker push for Democratic National Convention could backfire Blogger
  • Fire Truck, Fire District. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District
    Orland Fire District will maintain “all services” despite delayed county tax collections Cook County
  • Mike Porfirio, Democrat endorsed candidate for 11th Senate District
    Porfirio urges “full investigation” into reported racist rant of local official Cook County
  • New Lenox offers Free CERT training
    New Lenox offers free Disaster Preparedness Training to residents Government
  • Patricia Joan Murphy Worth Township Supervisor
    Partnership Will Offer Economic Development and Employment Support in South Suburbs  Business
  • USO barbecue for the troops 2022
    USO hosts Barbecue for the Troops July 23, 2022 Cook County
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending Business
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Blogger

Blues hit it big in Lyons

Posted on September 25, 2018September 25, 2018 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Blues hit it big in Lyons
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Blues hit it big in Lyons

First-ever festival draws 3,000 music lovers 

By Steve Metsch

The first-ever Windy City Blues Fest in Lyons was deemed a success by organizers, performers and fans.

Larger than expected crowds were seen Saturday and Sunday at Cermak Park on Ogden Avenue, Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty said Monday.

Getty said 2,000 people attended Saturday and another 1,000 on Sunday.

Forty acts performed. Included were Tomiko Dixon, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Lurie Bell, The Mike Wheeler Band and the Ben Miller Band.

“I’m very, very happy that we had a successful event with great weather. And, everyone had a good time,” Getty said.

Perfect weather on Sunday was enjoyed by visitors to the Windy City Blues Fest in Lyons. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

While he did not guarantee another blues fest in 2019, Getty is leaning that way.

“We’re inclined to think about it and start planning for another one because we had no incidents, all the bands were great, there was a good, positive energy in the air and everybody was happy to be there,” Getty said.

Getty said he and the Windy City Blues Society, which lined up the entertainment and helped run the festival, “didn’t know what to expect in the first year.”

“We set up the park where it could really hold a very large crowd. The attendance exceeded our original expectations, so we’re happy with that. We set it up to have plenty of room in the event we got 5,000 or 10,000 people,” Getty said.

Many raved about the setting.

Cermak Park is noted for its many trees, and the large, open grassy areas which allowed fans to sit on blankets, bag chairs or the many folding chairs supplied by the village as they enjoyed the music.

At the heart of the event were a dozen or so food vendors offering pizza, beef sandwiches, hot dogs, BBQ ribs and chicken, funnel cake and other treats. The beer tent was a popular place.

And there were plenty of novelty vendors representing various blues foundations, including the Windy City Blues Society which sold cups, T-shirts, hoodies, and memorabilia from musicians.

David “Mad Dog” Madlener, president and founder of the Windy City Blues Society, said Sunday he had heard from many pleased performers and fans.

“The number one priority was the musicians and then the fans, and all the workers who worked hard. The village and public works busted their butts all weekend,” Madlener said.

Public Works Director Ryan Grace said village crews were busy all week preparing the site. Construction of the two stages began at 6 a.m. Saturday, he said.

Madlener’s right-hand man, Scott “Hambone” Hammer, host of “Hambone’s Blues Party” on WDCB (90.9 FM), hopes to see another festival in 2019.

“It looks like we’ve got a good foundation. The first year is the hardest. When I was backstage, the musicians said these were the nicest amenities they ever had at a blues fest,” Hammer said Sunday.

That’s no surprise to Getty.

“We try to run a class act. We try to showcase the village in a positive manner,” said Getty who also heard from artists pleased they “had a place to stretch out and relax” before and after performing.

“There was nothing negative this weekend,” the mayor added. “The acts were fantastic. The weather was phenomenal. We had a lot of volunteers and everybody worked as a team.”

Tawl Paul, a blues legend in Carbondale, performed Saturday night with the Dead or Alives. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

Ken Villari, of Stickney, is among the many eager for an encore.

Perched on a folding chair Sunday afternoon near the Main Stage, Villari soaked up the sun and the blues of Ivy Ford.

“Some of the bands were not the blues I knew growing up in Chicago, but the bands were good, even on the secondary stage. I saw Tawl Paul. He’s a little revved up for me,” Villari said with a laugh.

Tawl Paul, the seemingly ageless legend from Carbondale, performed Saturday night on the smaller Backwoods Stage. The Chicago Blues Challenge was held there Sunday.

“I can tell you this, if the music is moving me, that’s what I like. I know when it’s my kind of music when my insides move,” Villari, 75, added.

Ray Hanania contributed to this story.

Desplaines Valley News

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock - August 5, 2022
  • Countryside’s concert series returns - June 13, 2022
  • Age is just a number - June 5, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Cermak Park, Lyons, Mayor Christopher Getty, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Tawl Paul, Tomiko Dixon, Windy City Blue Fest, Windy City Blues Society

Post navigation

Previous Post: Leyden dominates Lyons, 31-3
Next Post: Lyons Police seeking witnesses in truck-bicycle fatality

Related Posts

  • Three nabbed for armed robbery News
  • Chicago Wolves celebrate victory
    Chicago Wolves rally to take Game 1 from Stockton Heat in overtime  Chicago
  • Coronavirus COVID-19 infections in Orland Park since June 1, 2020 through Feb. 1, 2021 according to the IDPH.
    Slight slowdown in COVID-19 cases in Orland Park Blogger
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Gun Violence Deaths Reach Record Highs in 2017 Crime
  • J. Sterling Morton District 201 Serves Over 50,000 Meals Since Shutdown Cook County
  • Former Wolves defenseman Nolan Baumgartner, who captained the 2012 Midwest Division champions, and former Wolves forward Keith Aucoin, who served as an assistant captain for the 2014 Midwest Division titlists, join high-scoring center Dave Creighton and legendary front office executive Bill Torrey in this year’s group that will be inducted on Monday, Feb. 7, as part of the AHL’s All-Star Classic festivities.
    Baumgartner, Aucoin selected for AHL Hall of Fame Chicago

More Related Articles

Forest View woman missing News
Blockbuster Video store logo. Courtesy Wikipedia Last Blockbuster Store & Last Blockbuster Mansion Business
Safety paves way News
Supervisor Paul O'Grady on stage with pet contest winners at the 8th annual Pet-Palooza in 2019. Orland Township raises the ‘Woof’ at Pet-Palooza 2021! Entertainment
Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart launched today a new Community Resource Center site where the public can walk in and secure assistance with a wide range of social services  Sheriff Dart Launches New Community Resource Center Site  Cook County
13th Ward Democratic Committeeman Michael J. Madigan and 13th Ward And. Marty Quinn. Photo courtesy of Madigan-Quinn website 22nd District officials will name new successor to Madigan Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife
    Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy
    August 11, 2022
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock
    August 5, 2022
  • President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine?
    August 3, 2022
  • 17t year old Hadi Abuatelah runs after Oak Lawn police stopped the vehicle he was in asking him to leave a suspicious looking bag in the back seat. Instead, Abuatelah took the bag and tried to run but was caught and beaten to force him to let go of the bag
    Arabs and Muslims wrongly rush to judgment in Oak Lawn police beating of teenager
    August 3, 2022
  • Hanania newspaper column on Pritzker pushing for Democratic National COnvention
    Pritzker push for Democratic National Convention could backfire
    July 29, 2022
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting
    July 20, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia Two passengers killed in... Two passengers killed in car-semi collision in Bridgeview Bridgeview Polic... posted on July 16, 2022
  • car crashed through the front window of CosmoProf at 9109 W. 151st Street in Orland Park on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 11:45 AM. Vehicle crashes into Orla... Vehicle crashes into Orland Park cosmetic store front A car crashed throug... posted on July 19, 2022
  • Stolen vehicle recovered... Stolen vehicle recovered, offender arrested in Orland Park car theft On Fr... posted on July 18, 2022
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Tough punishment needed i... Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Society must dema... posted on July 20, 2022
  • Felon Donzel Jenkins charged with armed weapons possession in Orland Park July 22, 2022 Orland Park Police arrest... Orland Park Police arrest armed felon charged with weapons possession and v... posted on July 23, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Cook County Sherif Tom Dart
    Sheriff Dart Warns Public of Spike in Thefts of Kia & Hyundai Vehicles
    August 12, 2022
  • Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the USDA Office of Rural Development.
    Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates
    August 11, 2022
  • Hastings files lawsuit against Frankfort police after politicized domestic violence report released
    August 10, 2022
  • Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting.
    Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves
    August 10, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock
    August 5, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending
    July 21, 2022
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves Noesen wins President’s Award
    July 22, 2022
  • SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview
    Chicago Fire sets dates for “home games” at SeatGeek Stadium because of date conflicts with Soldier Field and Bears
    July 22, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves celebrate Calder Cup Championship 2022. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Calder Cup Champions Chicago Wolves sign two veterans forwards
    July 18, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Hastings files lawsuit against Frankfort police after politicized domestic violence report released
    August 10, 2022
  • Senior Care Home, eberhard 🖐 grossgasteiger on social or copy the text below to attribute.
    Nursing Home Violations for First Quarter of 2022
    June 7, 2022
  • John B. Schulz, 36, of the 7400 block of Brookside Drive in Hanover Park
    Hanover Park Man Charged with Multiple Felonies After Attempt to Meet Minor for Sex
    May 27, 2022
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor
    May 24, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Patricia Joan Murphy Worth Township Supervisor
    Partnership Will Offer Economic Development and Employment Support in South Suburbs 
    July 25, 2022
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending
    July 21, 2022
  • Agave Cocina and Tequila Bar at 6050 W. 159th Street on Oak Forest, Illinois
    Restaurant Review: Agave Cocina in Oak Forest
    July 10, 2022
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    House passes two bills sponsored by Congresswoman Newman to support small businesses and strengthen trade
    June 9, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme