



The John Yost Drum Circle, Aerial Dance Chicago, country rock band Brushville, cover band Shape Shifter and alternative indie rock band Bad Examples are among the highlights at the annual "Jeff Fest" Art and Music Festival the weekend of July 25 to 27 at Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave.

The festival will be held from 6 to 11 pm Friday, July 25, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26, and noon to 10 pm Sunday, July 27. The festival will be held in the park, with entrances by the park pool off Higgins Avenue and another at Lawrence and Linder avenues.

During the festival, Linder Avenue and Long Avenue along the park will both be closed to traffic. The pool, playground and tennis courts will remain open during the festival, and on Sunday a farmers market, the "Jefferson Park Sunday Market," will be held from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

The festival, which started 14 years ago, is presented by the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce and Alderman John Arena (45th). Proceeds benefit the chamber, which sponsors high school and college scholarships for the community and serves as a resource center for local businesses. The festival also benefits the Jefferson Memorial Park Advisory Council, which sponsors free events throughout the year, including movies and water slide activities.

Craft beer will take center stage at Jeff Fest with California-based Lagunitas Brewing and locally based Lake Effect Brewing providing a wide variety of specialty beers. Hungry? Food trucks and the Gale Street Inn will be among the tasty options.

Families can plan to bring a picnic blanket and stay the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday, as the festival offers a wide variety of entertainment for children. The Summer Arts Stage will include the Drum Circle at 5:30 pm Saturday and Sunday, and the music, magic and fun of Mary Macaroni at 1 p.m. Sunday, while the Lane Tech Jazz Band will hit the Main Stage at 1 p.m., also on Sunday.

Also back by popular demand will by the C3 Photo Fest from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and kids of all ages will enjoy Aerial Dance Chicago on Sunday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There also will be a Kids Zone on the weekend with bounce houses, outdoor games, spin art, a drum building project, and family theater.

Martial arts, yoga and police K-9 unit demonstrations also are on the weekend agenda. After dark, film projections will be shown in the arts area.

The MAIN STAGE lineup on FRIDAY: According To Sarah at 7 pm and Shape Shifter at 8:30 pm; SATURDAY: basement rock band The Boxers at 1:30 pm, Diego Sol & the Metronomes at 3 pm, Draft Week (recently named one of Chicago’s top unsigned acts by RedEye) at 4:30 pm, Chicago’s own Tom Schraeder & His Ego at 6 p.m., Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra at 7:30 pm and the Bad Examples at 9:30 pm; Sunday: Lane Tech Jazz Band at 1 pm, Poochamungas at 2 pm, Jenny Rockis Trio at 3:30 pm, Four Star Brass Band at 5 pm and Brushville at 6:30 pm. Brushville has opened for popular artists such as Lady Antebellum.

Other acts at Jeff Fest on the Summer Arts Stage on FRIDAY include Field Daze at 6 pm, Aunteaks at 7:30 pm and Yoko & the Oh No’s at 9 pm; SATURDAY: Ryan Wilkins at 2 pm, Zydeco Voodoo at 3 p.m., and Revelettes at 4:30 pm; SUNDAY: Paul Cody & Kathy Greenholdt at 7 pm and Jose Corneir Trio at 8 pm.

Admission is $7 after 5 p.m. and $5 before 5 p.m. Children under 12 are free. Fore more information and updates on possible schedule changes, please visit JeffFest.org.



