Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements hits Eckhart Park in September

 

Yes, you heard correctly. There's another festival hitting Chicago this year, this one in September. It seems that someone else realized the genius in hosting a festival post-sweltering heat, a lá North Coast Music Festival. Just announced this week, Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements makes it its mission to "reinvent the traditions of Vaudeville for a 21st century audience" by combining musical acts and carnival-style performers. It sounds like some sort of traveling indie culture circus. The inaugural edition takes place at Eckhart Park (spelled wrong on the official website, we might add), September 16–18, and the lineup looks impressive. Admission to the grounds where children and adults can enjoy games, rides and some performances—as well as a farmers' market and the Renegade Craft Fair—is free each of three days. Ticketed performances take place in two circus tents. The Criss/Cross Tent boasts an impressive lineup: Bill Callahan, School of Seven Bells, Dan Deacon, Fool's Gold and many more. Tickets there are $20 a day. In the Magic City Tent ($15–$20 each day), El Circo Cheapo Cabaret and slack-rope dancer George Orange grace the stage. Needless to say, this festival doesn't sound quite like anything we've heard of before, except perhaps the orginal Lollapalooza. Complete schedule below.

 

Fri, Sept 16, gates noon

THE CRISS/CROSS TENT
9–10:15pm Bill Callahan
8–8:45pm Sidi Touré
7–7:45pm Bomba Estéreo
6–6:40pm CAVE 

THE MAGIC CITY TENT
8:30–10:15pm El Circo Cheapo Cabaret
7–8pm Ricochet
5:30–6:30pm George Orange

FREE ACTIVITIES
Renegade Craft Fair All Day

Sat, Sept 17, gates at noon
THE CRISS/CROSS TENT
9–10:15pm School of Seven Bells
8–8:45pm A Hawk And a Hacksaw
7–7:45pm Charles Bradley
6–6:40pm Dark Dark Dark

THE MAGIC CITY TENT

8:30-10:15pm El Circo Cheapo Cabaret
7–8:00pm Ricochet
5:30-6:30pm George Orange

BIRDHOUSE OUTDOOR STAGE
TBA

Sun, Sept 18, gates at noon
THE CRISS/CROSS TENT
9–10:15pm Shellac
8–8:45pm A Lull
7–7:45pm Dan Deacon
6–6:40pm  Fool’s Gold

THE MAGIC CITY TENT
8:30–10:15pm El Circo Cheapo Cabaret
7–8pm Ricochet
5:30–6:30pm  George Orange

BIRDHOUSE OUTDOOR STAGE
TBD