Jeff Mangum
{SOLD OUT}
THE ATHANAEUM THEATRE IN CHICAGO MONDAY, FEB. 6TH & TUESDAY, FEB. 7TH, 2012
For our second edition, Brilliant Corners are pleased to present Jeff Mangum live in concert at the historic Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago on Monday, February 6th and Tuesday, February 7th. As the founder and driving force behind Neutral Milk Hotel and one of the cofounders of Athens, GA’s Elephant 6 Collective, Mangum is one of America’s most enigmatic and beloved songwriters. Performing in Chicago for the first time since 1998 and following his reemergence at this year’s All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in Asbury Park, this show may offer Chicago audiences a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness Mangum perform live. Tickets will be available for purchase on Friday, November 11th.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: Event has expired
$1 from each ticket will directly benefit Children of the Blue Sky
inauguralEVENT
September 16-18, 2011
Eckhart Park, Chicago IL
Our inaugural event will run three days and transform Chicago’s Eckhart Park into a playground for adults and children alike September 16-18, 2011.
Access to the event grounds will be free and open to the public, where patrons can enjoy an outdoor music stage, sideshows, the renown Renegade Craft fair and a hand selected farmers market. For featured ticketed shows two large big top circus tents will feature performances from a variety of music, circus performers and audio visual experimentation.
September 18 9:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
SHELLAC
More likely to play Reykjavik than Detroit, and more likely to release songs on flexi-discs in Dutch comic books than provide MP3s on their website, Shellac (or Shellac of North America) will always be known for doing it their way. Able to operate completely outside the typical machinations of music — independent or otherwise — the trio carved out a sizable niche in the sewage-infested gutters of underground rock & roll.
SEPTEMBER 18 8:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
A LULL
Chicago’s A Lull is nearly impossible to describe without qualifiers. Equal parts mystical and primal, the music crafted by these five multi-instrumentalists gathers the recognizable traits of a half dozen indie micro-genres, tosses out all but the stem cells, then adds the calculated, percussive verve of a half dozen rhythm sections on top of beautifully crafted songwriting to result in a sound that is as unique as it is memorable.
September 17 9:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS
School of Seven Bells take their magic seriously. Symbols, myths, mantras—in the hands of vocalist Alejandra Deheza and guitarist/producer Benjamin Curtis (formerly of On Library! and Secret Machines, respectively), these mystical practices become achingly human, methods of making sense of an emotionally complex world.
September 17 9:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
DARK DARK DARK
Listeners everywhere are having a very emotional response to Dark Dark Dark’s music. Their sophomore album, titled Wild Go, is ambitious and layered, welcoming and familiar, and reminds us to seek out the wonder and magic that surround us all the time. Their sound sets Nona Marie Invie’s soaring, haunted voice against an array of traditional instruments, balancing folk and high-art, creating music that is making people crazy.
September 17 7:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
CHARLES BRADLEY
Charles Bradley is no stranger to hard times. Born in Gainesville, Florida in 1948 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Charles spent the better part of his childhood living on the streets. One of the more optimistic moments of his childhood came in 1962, when his sister took him to see James Brown at The Apollo. Brown’s energy formed a lasting impression on Charles.
September 17 6:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
DAN DEACON
The art made by Baltimore artist Dan Deacon is about community and how to organize and inspire it. From founding a now well-known art collective (Wham City), to organizing and running an annually sold-out DIY music festival (Whartscape), to conceiving, planning and curating a massive 60 person/30 band tour (Baltimore Round Robin Tour).
September 18 6:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
FOOL’S GOLD
Fool’s Gold was originally formed in Los Angeles by Lewis Pesacov and Luke Top as a large open-ended collective, at times ranging between 12-15 members. After many tours following the release of their self-titled debut album (2009), the once sizable collective organically evolved into a tight-knit five-member “Band”.
September 17 8:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
A HAWK AND A HACKSAW
Started as a solo project in 2000 by accordionist and drummer Jeremy Barnes (formerly of indie rock legends Neutral Milk Hotel) and named after a line in Cervantes’ Don Quixote (hence the new album’s name), AHAAH became a duo in 2004 when Barnes met violinist Heather Trost.
September 16, 17 & 18 - 7:00 PM
The Magic City Tent
THE BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS
Due to personal reasons Ricochet, the team of Laura Stokes and Cohdi Harrell, are no longer able to perform at Brilliant Corners. We hope to see them soon and wish them the best. Fortunately The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has stepped in to present the 7pm show in the Magic City tent September 16-18.
September 17-18 2:30PM
The Magic City Tent
A TASTE OF ZOPPÈ
The Zoppè Family Circus emerged from humble beginnings more than 160 years ago to become one of the legendary circuses in all of Europe. Starring Giovanni Zoppè as Nino the Clown, the circus is propelled by a central story (rather than individual acts) and features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation.
September 16 9:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
BILL CALLAHAN
Over the length of his career Bill Callahan has carefully etched out his position as the tastefully rampant singer-songwriter, heartthrob, and statesman for the times. In this time he has emerged from behind his original stage moniker, Smog, and overall released over 20 albums.
September 16 8:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
SIDI TOURÉ
Sidi Touré was born in 1959 in the ancient town of Gao, Mali. He made his first guitar as a child, constructing it from his wooden writing slate. Growing up, Sidi Touré faced a conflict between the inexorable pull of music and the expectations of family and society, plus the significance and onus of a past that came with being born into a noble family.
September 16, 17 & 18 - 8:30 PM
The Magic City Tent
EL CIRCO CHEAPO CABARET
El Circo Cheapo Cabaret is Chicago’s very own collection of world class circus performers. Each show might feature a variety of acrobats, jugglers, puppeteers, aerialists, clowns, sideshow freaks and more. Founded by aerialist Shayna Swanson in 2008, El Circo Cheapo has become the everyday person’s affordable gateway to the circus arts.
September 16 7:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
BOMBA ESTÉREO
Bomba Estéreo came together as a project organized by Simon Mejia in 2005, forming within the rich underground electronic scene that has become Bogota, Colombia. Recruiting fierce singer Liliana Saumet to join the group, Bomba Estéreo expanded its sound and captivating live show.
September 16 6:00
The Criss/Cross Tent
CAVE
Since converging in Chicago in 2007, CAVE has been honing their craft, tightening their grasp on the repetitive grooves and heavy sounds that make their cake. Hot on the heels of a handful of EPs, a few 7 inches and a full length, their new album comes out 9-13-11 on Drag City and it’s called NEVERENDLESS.
September 16, 17 & 18 - 5:30 PM
The Magic City Tent
GEORGE ORANGE
Inside the rabbit hole of George Orange is a myriad of spectacle. A showcase in feats of balance, strength and absurdity. A man who can walk a tightrope. Juggling flames. While balancing his shoe, from atop a pole, that rests on his face.
September 16, 17, 18
All Day
RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR POP UP MARKET
Running all weekend long and free to the public, the Renegade Craft Fair will host a curated Pop-Up Market of 20 local DIY and Indie-craft artisans! From paper goods to housewares, ceramics, bath products, jewelry, craft kits, accessories, clothing, comics, plush objects, knits, curios, collectibles and artwork.
September 17, 18
Birdhouse Stage
DAY STAGE
The Birdhouse Outdoor Stage will feature an eclectic sampling of the many musical styles flourishing within the Chicago scene. From world music, to indie rock, to Louisiana brass, the Birdhouse Stage offers the unique opportunity for audiences to experience the wealth of talent happening in Chicago’s music scene.
September 16, 17, 18
All Day
RIDES
Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements features a range of traditional carnival rides and games catering to those of all ages.
September 17, 18
All Day
FARMERS MARKET
Offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads, sandwiches, candies and other treats, the Brilliant Corners Farmers Market will feature an array of fresh and prepared foods from a select group of local and regional growers and vendors. Free and open to the public, the market will run on Saturday and Sunday from Noon until 6pm on the North end of Eckhart park (Chestnut Street).
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