The Chicago Traveler

• We’re all familiar with the Taste of Chicago, an all-out food fest featuring dozens of Chicago restaurants. Foodies will want to check out the upscale version, Chicago Gourmet. Over two dozen famous Chicago chefs (including Rick Bayless, David Burke, and Art Smith) will be offering some of their signature dishes for the event, along with wine tastings and cooking demonstrations. (Sept 26-28)
• Dia de los Muertos is still over a month away, but you can begin celebrating this weekend at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Dia de los Muertos: La Vida Sin Fin is the nation’s largest Day …read more

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It has been a long time since Nelly has come out with an album. Four years, to be exact. So imagine his fans’ delight when he released the single Wadsyaname. But that single won’t actually be on his fifth studio album, Brass Knuckles. Instead, the album features over a dozen guests, including Usher, Fergie, Jermaine Dupri, and Snoop Dogg. He’ll be at the House of Blues on Tuesday, October 7. Tickets went on sale earlier today.
To see the video of Nelly’s actual first single off the new album, check out fellow b5media blog, Hip Hop Roll.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) reeb0k2008, …read more

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Even if you’ve never heard of the name Jamie Lidell, you’ve probably heard his music. His song “Multiply” was used on the TV show Grey’s Anatomy, and his song “A Little Bit More” was featured in a series of Target commercials. His retro, experimental styles are back in his new album Jim, but his sounds are even funkier and more polished. He’ll be at the Metro on Wednesday, October 8. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 12 noon CDT.
Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Mick 0

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• Celebrate with more than 35 music and dance acts at the Caribbean Festival at Union Park. The festival features traditional food, art, a talent show, and more. (Aug 8-10)
• The 51st annual Gold Coast Art Fair displays work from over 350 artists along with food and wine vendors, music, and sculpting demonstrations. On Saturday, Ted Allen from the Food Network will lead a cooking demo and wine discussion. (Aug 8-10)
• You can see singer Deana Martin and the cast of Jersey Boys at the second annual Taylor Street Festa Italiana. Sample food from a dozen local restaurants and play …read more

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If you can’t sleep, the contemporary-pop album Insomniac by Enrique Iglesias provides some great tracks to fill your night with. The dance rhythms and sultry ballads appealed to a younger audience and were played on radio stations the world over. He’ll be at the Allstate Arena on Saturday, September 27. Tickets went on sale earlier today.
Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Dunk Lee

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• The annual three-day festival, Lollapalooza, takes place this weekend with performances by Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, and many, many more. (Aug 1-3)
• Play a game of Australian football at 6 p.m. in Waveland Park thanks to Chicago United’s Friday Night Metro. Everyone is welcome to participate, and coaches are on hand to explain the rules. (Aug 1, 15, Sept 20)
• Ready? OK! Matthew Hollis and the Power of Cheer pick up their pom-poms and put on their best cheers in Let’s Go Love! (Aug 1-3)
• Get your shop on at the Andersonville Summer …read more

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After losing fiancé Ryan Reynolds, Alanis Morissette explored her grief through her latest album, Flavors of Entanglement. While raw emotion has been a part of her music in the past, this album shows a more vulnerable and, consequently, lovelier side to the artist. She’ll be at the Chicago Theatre on Thursday, October 2. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 11 a.m. (CDT).
To see a video of Alanis’ first single off the new album, check out fellow b5media blog, Ear Sucker. And keep up with the news on talented women in the music industry with She Plays Music.

Photo credit: MvanM (c/o …read more

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There are quite a few concerts in the Chicago area, whose tickets are going on sale soon.
James Blunt is an English singer-songwriter who is best known for his number-one hit “You’re Beautiful.” He’ll be playing at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, on August 11. Also at The Venue are the Smashing Pumpkins (August 9) and the Stone Temple Pilots (August 14). Tickets for all three events are currently on sale.
Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, has embarked on a solo tour that will conclude right here in Chicago. You can catch him at the Auditorium …read more

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Carrie Underwood has dipped her toe in the pop genre in the past, especially while she was on American Idol, but country is where her passion and talent are. So it’s no surprise that her second album, Carnival Ride, focuses on country even more than her first and is even more impressive. Her (recently extended) tour arrives in Hoffman Estates (a one-hour drive northwest of Chicago) at the Sears Centre on October 3. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (CDT).
To keep up with everything going on in the country music scene, check out fellow b5media blog, Country Music …read more

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Janet Jackson’s tenth studio album, Discipline, is her first with Island/Def Jam Records and features an impressive array of collaborators: Missy Elliott, Stargate, Ne-Yo, and Rodney Jerkins, to name a few. Her first tour in seven years arrives in Chicago at the United Center on September 25. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (CDT).
To see the video of Janet’s first single off the new album, check out fellow b5media blog, popmusicscene. And keep up to date on gossip and news in the music industry with Rumors in Music.

Photo credit: bjclayborn (c/o Flickr), b5media

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