Chicago Show 11/24

leafygreens · Nov 14, 2006, 08:13 PM

I've seen reference to a few people going to this show in other threads, but I thought I'd get something started specifically for the show.

It's gen. admission, so I figured I'd get there insanely early (woo hoo for paid work holiday). It's always kinda boring to wait around at GA shows, but it's well worth during the show, of course.
Anyone else going early?

Jernigan · Nov 15, 2006, 07:09 AM

My buddy and his "old lady" are coming out from Detroit
for the holiday with our family. We will be heading out a little
early depending on what time the kids go to sleep.....But will be there none the less.

We live in the burbs, and it will take probably 45 minutes or so to get down there. Maybe we ( folks going to the Riv ) that night should try and arrange to meet up at a bar around the area?

I haven't lived here that long yet, so I'm still pretty unfamiliar with the srroundings out there, so any suggestions are more than welcome if anyone is interested?

Ive got an EVIL plan babe · Nov 15, 2006, 12:47 PM

I'll be there early. I'm bringing my older brother who knows nothing about MMJ and doesn't seem to care about going. I made him watch the DVD. When it was over he just said, "I couldn't understand a single word that guy just said." I think I might disown him.

P.S. I wish Wax Fang was playing this leg of the tour.

moxyfop · Nov 16, 2006, 09:28 PM

Okay I'm getting SUPER excited now!

I'm bringin my lil bro (well, he's 21) who doesn't know ANYTHING about MMJ... I'm really hoping they'll work their magic on him!

And I LOVE the riv, but if you want good seats either get there extremely early or hit up the balcony, otherwise you aren't going to see anything.

leafygreens · Nov 16, 2006, 09:39 PM

yeah - that's kind of what i'm wanting to know...what's extremely early?? I always stress out timing these things out. I NEED an amazing spot!!

moxyfop · Nov 16, 2006, 09:51 PM

Quoteyeah - that's kind of what i'm wanting to know...what's extremely early?? I always stress out timing these things out. I NEED an amazing spot!!

Well, I'd show up an hour before doors open. If there's not a line just mosey around and come on back. I'm betting there will be though :) Do you know how to get there okay and everything?

This'll be my 5th MMJ this year so I'll let someone else have the front ;)

sidenote- I saw Ben Folds Five back at the riv years and years ago... we were camped out in line at 4pm and as we were sitting there the whole band stepped out of a taxi and just started signing stuff... and hanging outside the riv after a show ya got a good chance at meeting the band!

leafygreens · Nov 16, 2006, 11:37 PM

Yeah I was thinking at least an hour before, if not 2. The last time I saw them was in my (and theirs) hometown of Louisville, and I didn't have the best seats. So I need to make up for it.

As far as getting there, I have Mapquest. Hopefully that will suffice. Like Jernigan, I haven't lived here too long either. Maybe I'll do a practice run this weekend.

I've also seen bands come out before shows as well. For this show, I plan on staying after to try to meet the band - and I've never NOT met a band yet by staying after.

mmjbird · Nov 17, 2006, 10:07 AM

Howdy ..new to this fine board!

i will be seeing mmj for the first time in Chicago

friend gave me at dawn 2 years ago and i played it for 6 months
my new favorite band for a year now Wow is all i can say

cheers all

Taterbug · Nov 17, 2006, 10:22 AM

I got that day off for the first time in 16 years. I couldn't even take a frickin vacation day. So I plan on getting down there a few hours before the show and get a little dinner and some pops in me before the rockin begins. I've been stoked about this show for a long time. I can't wait to see a full set list again, I just couldn't get enough of them at the pearl jam shows. See ya'll there.

aquarob · Nov 17, 2006, 04:04 PM

leafygreens, mmjbird, et. al.

OK so the venue we all need for pre-game is right across the street. Accross the coner to the north east is a newer locale called the Uptown Lounge. Very cool, hip joint and perfect as you can watch the progress of the line from the bar.

The Riv is set up in such a way that if you are serious, no matter what time you arrive you can get front row joe. Given my years of conecrt going at the Riv my 2 cents on the best place to view, is left side about half way between back bar and front row. Best sight lines, easy access to bar and easy access to bathroom.

Who is in?????

-AQM-

Jim · Nov 17, 2006, 04:28 PM

i cannot wait!

mmjbird · Nov 17, 2006, 04:35 PM

Quoteleafygreens, mmjbird, et. al.

OK so the venue we all need for pre-game is right across the street. Accross the coner to the north east is a newer locale called the Uptown Lounge. Very cool, hip joint and perfect as you can watch the progress of the line from the bar.

The Riv is set up in such a way that if you are serious, no matter what time you arrive you can get front row joe. Given my years of conecrt going at the Riv my 2 cents on the best place to view, is left side about half way between back bar and front row. Best sight lines, easy access to bar and easy access to bathroom.

Who is in?????

-AQM-

agreed, i saw phil and phriends there a while back...sold out and oversold i think....we had 6 of us hit hte floor with little to no problems.

I think we even preshowed at the bar you speak of... it was cool place to hang out

cannot wait for this show. Pumped!

Jernigan · Nov 18, 2006, 09:52 AM

Uptown Lounge....sounds interesting enough. They serve food at all?

Can anyone reccomend some good parking info???

Cheers,

-MJ

ChiefOKONO · Nov 18, 2006, 09:17 PM

I can't wait.... I can't wait....

this is going to be SO SWEEET!!!! :D :D :D :D

moxyfop · Nov 19, 2006, 11:53 PM

Uptown is really chill... I think I'm taking the train in for max pre-game potential...

I can't wait to see them headline, I just saw them open a few times for PJ & at Lolla this year... it's comin up!!

suebeeboo · Nov 20, 2006, 11:40 AM

Right on MMJ Lovers! The Uptown sounds like the perfect pre-show hangout. The Green Mill, Capone's old hang out, is also close by. Here's a little info about both places -

The Uptown Lounge
1136 W. Lawrence Ave.
773-878-1136
If you were ever at a loss for where to hang out in the seedy area of Uptown before catching a concert at nearby Riviera or Aragon, you've finally got a place. First-time bar owners have completely renovated the Saxony, which took the term "dive bar" to new lows. In its place is a loungy room that's framed with tall-backed couches and a long wooden bar. But the best parts of the Saxony remain: cheap drinks and a 4 a.m. license.
Hours: 4 p.m.-4 a.m. Sunday through Friday; 4 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday

Green Mill Jazz Club
4802 N. Broadway Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
773.878.5552
Jazz, dixieland, traditional, bebop, contemporary, progressive - played by such legendary figures as Von Freeman, Franz Jackson and Wilbur Campbell, as well as young lions Kurt Elling, Eric Alexander and Orbert Davis. All capture the broad spectrum of jazz from its root rhythms in New Orleans to New York avant-garde. Deep smokey jazz sounds fill the club in the early morning hours when soulful musicians continue to express their love of jazz by jamming 'til the early dawn.

The Green Mill is sophisticated informality, warm glowing atmosphere steeped in the heady sounds of the early '30s and '40s; it was actually patterned after Clark Monroe's Uptown House in Harlem (as it was during the '40s). Uniquely comfortable to all audiences from the sequined Saturday night date to the progressively dressed offbeat student, the magic of the Mill is that the audience commingles in its mutual respect for the music.

And, in the far corner, in all her alabaster glory, stands Ceres, Goddess of Harvest, rechristened Stella by Starlight by the house musicians. Stella was salvaged from the lower depths of The Green Mill, dusted off, and returned to compliment the authenticity of the art deco/art nouveau décor in the light fixtures and artwork, embellished with lavishly scrolled frames. Shades of Al Capone's heyday are found in the wall memorabilia as you enter and in the famous booth where he and his henchmen could keep a cautious eye on both doors.

Today, The Green Mill, in keeping with owner Dave Jemilo's philosophy for a proper mix of down-to-earth friendliness and class, maintains an authenticity of the '40s in service, price and music, perfected upon with the steady Sunday night performance of the internationally acclaimed Uptown Poetry Slam, which began at the Mill in 1986.

Foxtrot76 · Nov 20, 2006, 01:05 PM

My wife and I are taking my younger sister and her boyfriend to their first MMJ show. I can't wait!! The Riv is a great venue...Maybe we'll catch up with some of y'all at the pre-show hot spots! :D

JacketGal · Nov 20, 2006, 04:38 PM

Sue, those are great write-ups, thanks! We just spent some time in both of these joints before the Black Crowes played on Halloween. We had a good time in each joint (Green mill before and Uptown after)!

Can't wait for this, it's all I can do to get through this week!

Hope to meet some of you there. ;D

ChiefOKONO · Nov 20, 2006, 06:54 PM

See you guys there, i cannot WAIT!!! :) :D ;D 8)

ms. yvon · Nov 20, 2006, 06:57 PM

i'm going to miss the chicago show...but will be in town staying not far from the riv.

if anyone is looking for tix, i have to sell my pair.
(admins: let me know if this is inappropriate to post!) if i don't sell them before friday, i may just go by the riv b4 showtime to see if i can find them a home.

the silver lining: i'll be at the fillmore and so. cal shows next month +! :D