[Insert any word here]-palooza

Well, hell. I never recapped my P4K weekend, but now that Lollapalooza is over, it feels like that was just a warm up. I feel sort of like a shell of a person right now, and I'm about to sleep for the rest of the day, or at least veg in front of the television. I spent all weekend on my feet, on the go in the heat and mud, walking, partying and writing, too--I could barely even remember what I wrote, but from what I read, it was all pretty good...Sam's and Jim's, too! Our Chicagoist recaps are below for your reading pleasure.

Ok, I lie a little, I don't feel as bad as I could. I've learned to limit my drinking during the day, just a few beers here and there, and hit the water hard. Who woulda thought working hard at something I love would be more fun than partying until I don't remember anything and then name dropping stupid shit later?!

I know I have lots of memorable moments, inside jokes and celebrity sightings to share (you know, like 100,000 evacuating the park), but my brain is jumbled mush right now, so I guess those will just have to come up in conversation in person. I swear, if one more person asks me what bands I saw or liked...I can barely come up with the name of any band ever at this point!

A quick thanks to Devin and Dana for hooking me up this weekend, too!

Lollapalooza 2012: Friday

Lollapalooza 2012: A Rain-Soaked Saturday

Lollapalooza 2012: Closing Out Sunday

Guess Who's Turning 30?

No, not me. I'm officially, barely, older than the Cabaret Metro. I have memories stretching back almost ten years courtesy of the venue, but friends in the community have been watching bands here since I was just a toddler. And the building itself has a history even longer, believe me, I've heard the ghost stories.  

We went to their anniversary party over the weekend (where we got some pretty cool swag), but they're  s t r e t c h i n g   t h i s   b i r t h d a y   o u t.  They're celebrating with a dedicated blog, honorary anniversary concerts, and a pop-up art gallery in the loop featuring concert posters, photos and the like from their archives. And speaking of memories, they want to hear yours: 

Do you have a special memory from your first concert at Metro? Still carry in your wallet the ticket stub from your first date with your wife? Got some photos of you and your fellow Smart Bar bartenders from the 80s collecting dust? Is that poster of the first time your band played Metro hanging in your office? Whether you are a fan, a band, a friend or a former employee, we want to feature your memories on this blog too! Write us an email with your favorite story, scan photos, or send video to MetroRetro@metrochicago.com.

Tonight: Brent Puls @ Lincoln Hall

I got to spend a lot of time with my friend Brent Puls at Pitchfork Music Festival this past weekend (more on that later). His new home is in LA, but he's back in town for a show tonight at Lincoln Hall. He's got a new album out called Empty Ampersands, and while I haven't heard the whole thing yet, what I have heard is pretty sweet. Not as poppy as his stuff with Grammar, but he's had a lot to get mushy about in the last year or so. Check him out! Tickets are 8 bucks.

Now Playing: Maroon 5

Overexposed

It's no secret anymore that I'm an Adam Levine fan, espec since we got a glimpse of his personality on The Voice...and he ain't so bad to look at either... Anyway, I love that earworm of a song, "Moves Like Jagger," and it appears on the Deluxe edition of their new album, Overexposed (which Tankboy was nice enough to sneak onto my desktop for me). At first I thought the album was a bore, but after a couple listens, I can't seem to listen to anything else. There's just enough dance, just enough groove, and little enough emoting. And a Prince cover.

Like A Heat Wave

Summer is officially in full swing with a 100+ degree heat wave hanging over Chicago and most of the mid-west as we speak. As summer is swinging, I also find less and less time to sort through my thoughts and post! So, here's a little of what's been going on!

• Tankboy's 40th Birthday Bash at Darkroom on Saturday was a wild success (if I do say so myself as part of the planning committee). Memories were made from the inception of the plan (the guest of honor learning of the surprise show one day early!) to the night of the event (a sleeping Tankboy almost missing his own party!). Thanks again to everyone who helped, all the bands who played, and everyone who came out to make it a special night for Jim. Special thanks to Rudy, Kip, JB, Sam, Ivan, Pogo and Kenny. 

• Thanks to Debby for making our Disney vacation memorable for a different reason.  Instead of relaxing by the pool on vacation with my fam, we rode out a tropical storm that stalled over the state. Even though I didn't come back with a tan, we still managed to have fun once we put our expectations on a shelf, threw on ponchos, and ran to the parks to ride whatever rides we could!

• I made my inaugural visit to Milwaukee's Summerfest for Robyn with my girlfriends. #fembotsroadtrip

• I got to see the Paris Opera Ballet perform Giselle at the Harris. 

Here's a song to help get you through the heat wave. Take with Chicagoist's so hot playlist. Repeat as needed. 

Jack And Triumph Go To Weiners Circle

I was lucky enough to go to one of the Conan tapings last week at the Chicago Theatre. Unfortunately though, not on the day they did this:

(NSFW, language!)

Free Jazz

It starts tonight! Jazz on the Terrace at the MCA! It's one of my favorite free outdoor events in the city in the summer. You can take in the artists up-close in the seats on the terrace, or more as background music with a blanket and friends (and wine) on the lawn below. It's a cool way to see a lot of Chicago's renowned jazz and improvising musicians.

Every Tuesday, 5:30 to 8pm, there's a different musician featured each week, and the whole museum is free all day, so get in there and check out those exhibits. I loved the the summer that we got to spend with Jeff Koons...I wonder what we'll be treated to this year...sorta bummed the "This Will Have Been" tribute to 80's Art, Love and Politics just ended, I never made it in to see it.

Anyway...music, art, wine, free...do it!