Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival Music

Summertime street festivals have finally begun in Chicago and, boy, are we happy about it! This week we interviewed Miss Alex White and Francis Scott Key White, who comprise Chicagoland redheaded fuzz rock duo, White Mystery, in anticipation of their headlining performance at this year’s Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival.

From July 29-31st, the MAAF transforms Logan Square's commercial corridor into full blown arts district featuring visual and performance art, live music, interactive arts activities for the whole family and culinary offerings to delight the senses including craft beers by Revolution brewing and gourmet food trucks. This year will feature two outdoor stages: the Cole’s Bar stage at Milwaukee and Belden, and the main stage placed picture- perfectly on the steps of the Logan Square monument. An indoor music stage will be running at the Logan Square Arts Center located at the Hairpin Lofts (Milwaukee/Kimball/Diversey). The center will be open its doors to the public for the first-time during the MAAF.

White Mystery is excited to be taking part in a unique arts-focused festival: “It's awesome when art takes over the streets and storefronts of Logan Square. Outdoor sculpture, galleries, partying in the streets, and unique performances like the Society of Young Superheroes production of a live comic book are exciting highlights.”

White Mystery is also looking forward to seeing some printmaking works. The Whites explain, “Printmaking is a favorite art form for White Mystery because the band hand-dyes white and block-prints its logo onto shirts, underwear, and fabric panels. Video installation pairs visual art with sound, which as musicians, we enjoy!”

And their thoughts on the music? “JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound are a rad headliner for Friday night, Hollows play upbeat tunes the same night as White Mystery, and the Cole's Stage presented by Cafe Mustache showcases a line-up of friends, like Rabble Rabble and Outerminds.”

However White Mystery aren’t the only folks excited about the MAAF music line up. Chicagoist recently gave the MAAF a favorable write up. Loud Loop Press noted that the MAAF music line up contains four bands on their “11 Bands to Watch in 2011” list.

For the full line up, visit the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival website. There you’ll find information regarding the music, featured art galleries, performance arts, the indoor arts market, open studios, family activities, and the culinary delights that will all be taking place at the MAAF.

Hope to see you there!

WHAT: Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival
WHEN: Friday July 29th to Sunday July 31st
WHERE: Logan Square’s commercial corridor (Milwaukee & California up to Milwaukee & Kimball)
WEBSITE: http://www.milwaukeeavenueartsfestival.org

PHOTOS BY Lee Klawans
All photos taken at Do Division

--Justine Rowland