Today, Champaign Park District announced that Grammy-nominated act Gin Blossoms and one of the best live acts in Chicago, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, are scheduled to headline this year’s Taste of Champaign-Urbana. The fest takes place on August 21st and 22nd at West Side Park.
From the release:
Only one month away, the Taste of Champaign-Urbana is bound to have something for everyone – especially music fans! Happening at West Side Park on August 21 & 22, attendees from far and wide will get the opportunity to try the huge variety of area restaurant offerings while listening to free music from nationally-recognized musical acts.
On the first night of the festival, August 21, the headlining act is “one of the hottest US soul acts” according to MOJO Magazine – JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. The Uptown Sound are described as a post-punk soul group spitting raw emotion as they walk the line between gusty R&B and new rock edge. Friday’s line-up also includes local acts, Chachi & The Bandidos (country), Time Zone (New Orleans funk), and Mike Ingram & New Souls (R&B/Hip Hop). Friday’s Taste of CU festival hours are 5pm – 11pm.
Saturday night’s headlining act is the Grammy-nominated and nationally-recognized pop rock band Gin Blossoms. Event-goers will sing along to huge hits like “Hey Jealousy,” “Allison Road,” “Until I Fall Away,” “Mrs Rita,” “Found Out About You,” and “Follow You Down.” Local acts Decadents (alternative rock), and West of Staley (jazz) will set the stage for a night of great music. Saturday Taste of CU festival hours are 11am-11pm, with music beginning at 5pm.
Taste of Champaign-Urbana is the area’s premiere outdoor summer festival featuring delicious menu items from CU’s best restaurants, frosty beer, diverse arts and crafts from local artists, the 3.14 mile Pie Run, and high-quality music and entertainment for the whole family – in Champaign’s beautiful West Side Park. All proceeds from the festival go towards our youth scholarship fund which provides hundreds of local youth with the opportunity to go to camp, learn to dance, take swimming lessons, play baseball, and much more!
For up-to-date information about Taste of Champaign-Urbana, visit champaignparks.com.
BAND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
5:00-6:00pm Chachi & The Bandidos
6:30-7:30pm Time Zone
8:00-9:00pm Mike Ingram & New Souls featuring local MCs
9:30-11:00pm JC Brooks & The Uptown SoundSATURDAY, AUGUST 22
5:00-5:45pm West Of Staley
6:15-7:15pm TBA
7:45-8:45pm Decadents
9:15-11:00pm Gin Blossoms
