Meigs now enjoyed by all!

With the opening of the Concert Stage, the common taxpayer now enjoys a
park property previously
restricted to jet-setters.

....
When it was announced that the city would begin putting on concerts at
Mei...er, Northerly Island, Chicagoist wondered what kind of acts Clear
Channel would book. Would they be acts to consume wine and cheese by
like Ravinia? Noveau hipsters for the kids? Or would they take the easy
way out and book some low-hanging fruit? To our surprise, the answer to
all those questions is "yes."

Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago will begin a summer's worth of
concerts at the Lakefront Pavillion on Northerly Island on June 24th.
Other acts include Black Eyed Peas and Talib Kweli (June 26), Modest
Mouse (June 28), secretary rock (Gavin DeGraw on July 14 and Jack
Johnson on August 28), and a Steve Perry-less Journey (July 16). And
this summer your mama will dance and your daddy will rock and roll as
the second coming of Loggins and Messina arrives on August 4.

Only eight shows have been announced but more are expected. Tickets
will go on sale this Saturday at 10 AM through Ticketmaster (and
through the venue's website). You might feel better about the prices
if you remind yourself that the concerts are intended-in part-to
raise money for a nature park on the island. Then again, when you
remember that Clear Channel will be taking a chunk, you'll get ****ed
all over again. While Ralph's World's top price comes in at a
family-friendly $15, Earth Wind and Fire are hawking their best seats
for $75. Wha? And apparently someone told Loggins and Messina that
theirs was an Eagles-level event as they're charging $70 and $50 for
seats. Oof. Modest Mouse will set you back $27.50 which would be
reasonable if not for the Ticketmaster fees.

JG