Today in Rogers Park - April 21st, 2013

Today in Rogers Park is a series to inform our community of relevant daily events, including the arts, entertainment, presentations and community meetings. - Bill Morton 


Mayne Stage - Melanie
1328 W. MORSE AVENUE CHICAGO, IL. 60626

With a nod to the historic past of this grand facility, Mayne Stage features a restaurant (Act One Pub) and performance space that reflects the unique and diverse history of Rogers Park. Mayne Stage is happy to present a variety of terrific acts in its 230-seat multipurpose entertainment venue.
Melanie has had 13 top 40 hits, including the 3 number ones; Bobos Party, Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) & Brand New Key. She was born and grew up in New York city. Melanies 1969 song, "Bobo's Party", was #1 in France. Her debut album received rave reviews from Billboard which heralded her voice as "... wise beyond her years. Later in 1969, Melanie had a hit in the Netherlands with "Beautiful People".
She performed at the Summer of 1969s Woodstock Festival. Woodstock fueled the inspiration for one of her signature songs, "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) when the audience lit candles during her set. That song became a major hit in Australia, Canada, the UK & the USA in the spring and summer of 1970. "Lay Down" became Melanie's first Top Ten hit in The USA, peaking at #6 on the Billboard chart. "Lay Down ", which sold more than one million copies in 1970 and prompted Billboard, Cashbox, Melody Maker, Record World, and Bravo to anoint her as female vocalist of the year. Some later hits included "Peace Will Come (According To Plan)" and Ruby Tuesday (Roling Stones Cover).
Melanie was booked as the first solo pop/rock artist ever to appear at the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House, and later opened the New Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Sydney Opera House, and in the General Assembly of the United Nations. In 1970 she attended The Isle of Wight festival and received four standing ovations, 40 years later she returned to perform again at The Isle of Wight.
With her husband Peter Schekeryk, she formed her own label; Neighborhood Records in 1971. In 1972 Melanie had her biggest American hit on her own Neighborhood label: "Brand New Key". This song was a #1 hit and sold over 3 million copies. She set a record for being the first female performer to have three Top 40 hits concurrently; “Brand New Key”,” The Nickel Song” ,& ”Ring The Living Bell”. Melanie was awarded Billboard's #1 Top Female Vocalist for 1972.
She has been awarded 2 gold albums (and a gold single for "Brand New Key").
In 1989, she won an Emmy Award for writing the lyrics to "The First Time I Loved Forever", the Theme song for the TV series Beauty and the Beast.
Her husband Peter Schekeryk produced all of her albums. Their three children; Leilah, Jeordie and Beau-Jarred are also musicians. Beau-Jarred; acomplished composer and concert guitarist currently accompanies Melanie on tour and co-produced Melanie's latest album with his father.


Red Line Tap - International Pop Overthrow 2013 featuring Wiplot, The Abbeys, Freetoed and More 7006 N. GLENWOOD AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60626

The Red Line Tap hosts music up to 7 nights a week featuring local and national acts on stage, from their resident band the Mudflapps, to Micki’s open mic and all sorts of great shows daily, Red Line Tap has something  for everyone!
1 pm -Wiplot, The Abbeys, Freetoed and More

7 pm - Semi Twang, Trolley and More

HEADS UP

Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce Fresh Start Monday at the site of the former Adelphi Theater (7070-78 N. Clark Street).

The Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce was founded in April of 2009 with one goal: to help struggling small businesses, and in fact, all businesses, to become successful. Chamber founder Bill Morton wasn't sure how exactly to do this, but he knew that he would do what it takes to succeed. 
The Chamber struggled it's first two years, but in December of 2011, the Chamber and all of it's members started taking large strides to turn the Chamber into the vision they saw. 
Chamber Founder and President Bill Morton came up with the idea of a neighborhood clean-up in support of the businesses. Eventually, the program that was created was Fresh Start Monday, an event that occurs the first and third Monday of the month from April through to November, weather pending.

The next Fresh Start Monday will be on May 6th, 2013 at the site of the former Adelphi Theater (7070-78 N. Clark Street).  This is a public event from 6 pm - 7 pm. RSVP calls to (773) 850-0049 and walk-ins are OK. This is a free community event.
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