Grammy-nominated Gin Blossoms to headline Throwback Fest at Milwaukee/Elston
The Grammy-nominated Gin Blossoms and the 1980s tribute band 16 Candles will headline the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Throwback Music” festival the weekend of Sept. 8-10 on Milwaukee Avenue between Elston Avenue and Peterson Avenue.
Last year’s inaugural fest attracted more than 10,000 people.
The festival’s hours are 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5, which benefits the chamber’s scholarship and other programs.
Performing Friday are rock and heavy metal cover band One Way Street at 5 p.m., Chicago Tribute Anthology at 6:30 p.m. and all-female cover band the PriSSillas at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday’s musical lineup consists of cover band Raven Street, whose members are 12 to 14 years old, at noon, Todd and the Ten Pins at 1:05 p.m., blues and rock band Ten Foot Tail at 3 p.m., classic rock cover band Northside at 4:45 p.m., 1980s cover band Hi Infidelity at 6:45 p.m. and the Gin Blossoms at 8:45 p.m.
The Gin Blossoms, whose sound is a fusion of pop, rock and country, has recorded the following top 10 hits: “Hey Jealousy,” “Follow You Down,” “Til I Hear It From You,” “Found Out About You,” “As Long As It Matters” and “Miss Disarray.” The band, which got its start in Phoenix in the 1980s, is releasing a new album this summer.
Performing Sunday are swinging jazz band the Flat Cats at noon, Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute band June’s Got The Cash at 1:30 p.m., Eagles tribute band One of These Nights at 4 p.m., Boy Band Tribute at 6 p.m. and 16 Candles at 8 p.m. 16 Candles, which is returning to the festival for a second consecutive year, has a set list that often includes songs from Styx, Van Halen and Journey.
The festival also includes a pet parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, a 9/11 memorial ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday, a classic car show from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and a “Miss Throwback Pin-up Girl Contest” from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The contest is for women age 18 and older, and contestants are asked to wear attire and makeup which reflects the 1940s, 1950s or early 1960s. Registration for the contest is available at throwbackmusicfest.com.
Art activities and a bouncy village for children also are planned.
The chamber can be reached at 773-775-8871 or gladstoneparkchamber.com. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, along with advertising in the festival’s program.
Traffic on Milwaukee will be diverted at Elston and Austin during the festival.
