Ethelfest debuts in Chicago

Welcome to the debut of EthelFest, the Chicago-area progressive rock music event! Our goal is to provide an opportunity for progressive rock fans to spend an evening together to bond over the music we love.

EthelFest sprang from similar events held over the past two years, hosted by Uncle Norm and Magog of “Da Midwest Gang” - the informal name of a large, but tight-knit Chicago-area circle of friends who love high-quality live music.

In the future, we hope EthelFest will grow into something far bigger, but in the meantime, please join us for a wonderful evening of music and friendship!

Saturday October 2, 2010 - 7PM $12 Cover
4660 W 147th St
Midlothian, IL 60445
Phone: (708) 385-9200
http://www.papats.net/Midlo/
http://www.ethelfest.com/index.html

Grand Parade reunites to headline Ethelfest!

Band Members
Roey Ben Yoseph - vocals, percussion
Jay Fuentes - bass, 12-string guitar, bass pedals, vocals
Jeff Denton - 6 & 12-string guitars
Brian Harris - keyboards
Bill Harrison - drums, percussion
Website: http://www.grandparadeprog.com

Grand Parade has been performing the music of Genesis for over a decade. With special emphasis on the technically challenging progressive rock era, Grand Parade uses a wide range of electric, acoustic, and synthesized instruments to capture the details of studio recordings while emphasizing the energy and enthusiasm of live Genesis performances. An evening with Grand Parade will include a cross-eras performance of early Genesis music from the 1970s, ranging from the eclectic, often quirky Peter Gabriel-era (along with reproductions of some of his famous costumes and masks) to the lush, romantic, and sometimes jazz-fusion influenced Collins-era.

Silver Pipe - Jethro Tull Tribute

Band Members
Steve Royce - flute, vocals, acoustic guitar
Dale Stubitsch - electric guitar
Rich Poston - keyboards, guitar, vocals
Luis Nasser - bass
Bill Harrison - drums, percussion
Website: http://www.silverpipemusic.com

Silver Pipe was formed in 2007 by an eclectic group of veteran Chicago musicians. Since then, Silver Pipe has honed a unique and exciting live show, establishing itself before a wide audience comprised of Jethro Tull fanatics and classic rock devotees of all ages.

A key attraction of the Silver Pipe show is that, in addition to the well known hits from the Jethro Tull songbook, Silver Pipe also performs many of the complex gems that Jethro Tull themselves have long eliminated from their sets but which fans love hearing live. Focusing on the unique power of the electric Tull, the band channels the music, contagious energy, humorous banter and stage antics that Jethro Tull is famous for into a truly memorable presentation.

The Champions of Nothing
Performing Kevin Gilbert's "The Shaming of the True"

Band Members
Luis Nasser - bass guitar
Mark Pieper - keyboards and vocals
Matt Pieper - drums and vocals
Rich Poston - guitar, keyboards and vocals
Dale Stubitsch - lead guitar
Charlie Williams - lead vocals and guitar
Website: http://www.championsofnothing.com

THE BAND & THE MAN

With a combined professional musical experience of nearly a century in a diverse variety of genres, The Champions Of Nothing came together in 2008 to begin realizing the second-ever performance of perhaps the greatest rock opera ever written - “The Shaming Of The True.” Kevin Gilbert was one of the most talented musicians/composers/producers of Generation X, counting Michael Jackson, Madonna, Tina Turner, Keith Emerson and Eddie Money among his many collaborators. Kevin died in a tragic accident in 1996, at the tender age of 29, during the recording of his magnum opus “The Shaming Of The True.” His colleagues then completed the album for release in 2000, and its only live performance was at the ProgWest festival in 2002. Until now. In addition to their many other musical projects, The Champions Of Nothing have taken it upon themselves to rescue this masterpiece from undeserved obscurity, in order to keep the musical legacy of Kevin Gilbert alive for the next generation of fans.

THE STORY

“The Shaming Of The True” is a classic rags-to-riches-to-rags tale of a young singer/songwriter named Johnny Virgil who moves to LA to try to become a star. In order to achieve this goal he is forced to compromise his artistic vision, becoming rich but cynical in the process. Johnny eventually succumbs to the allure of drugs and debauchery, and a nervous breakdown forces him out of the game. This story is all-too-common in show business, but much more poignant given that it’s mostly autobiographical. The difference is that whereas an aging Johnny Virgil sometimes hears his songs “on the oldies radio,” Kevin passed away at the beginning of a very promising career. Our tribute to “The Shaming Of The True” is also a celebration of the life of Kevin Gilbert, and the star he would have become if fate had only been kinder to him.