2012 “Bash on Wabash” Coming August 25-26

The South Loop’s Summer Street Fest
The Bash on Wabash is a lively experience celebrating the cultural diversity of Chicago’s fastest growing neighborhood. The excitement happens on South Wabash Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets. The Bash on Wabash is Saturday August 25 and Sunday August 26 from noon to 10 p.m. both days.

Roasted corn, inflatables, a mechanical bull!
Benefiting the Greater South Loop Association, the Bash mirrors the South Loop’s vibrancy, offering something for everyone, all on hand for you to see and experience firsthand. Fresh roasted corn and beer and wine is available to highlight the end of the summer season. A fun kids’ area with inflatables and Corn Bags Tournament is featured throughout the weekend, as well as a 5K run on Sunday. Grown-up fun includes a mechanical bull—“ride ‘em cowboy”—and sumo wrestling. To top it off, revelers enjoy a variety of live music, including some of Chicago’s hot local acts from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Something for everyone

A scene from the 2011 Bash

“The Bash is a great family and neighborhood event,” according to GSLA President Gail Rutkowski. Rutkowski is the founder of the Bash. “It started out as a group of neighbors getting together in the early days of the South Loop’s development. Now that the neighborhood has grown, it’s part of Chicago’s family of summer festivals.” South Loop resident and frequent Bash attendee Pam Wynn says, “As our family has grown, so has the Bash. We look forward to attending each year and enjoying all the festivities with our neighborhood friends. With food, music, kids’ activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Saturday Headliner Jessica Lea Mayfield

Music Matters at the Bash
Music is an important part of the Bash and the artistic talent assembled this year is especially good. “The line-up is filled top to bottom with the most exceptional talent I have seen in a long time,” so says T.J. Sagen, current band and personal manager at Jeff Battaglia Management in Chicago. “Each artist has a uniqueness which makes the musical aspect of this year’s festival extremely exciting.” Sagen is also a board member of the GSLA, as well as manager of Grammy-nominated hard-rock band Disturbed and singer/songwriter Jess Godwin.

Godwin is performing at this year’s Bash on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Sagen says, this about Godwin: “Her image is powerful, her lyrics beautiful, and her voice can quiet a room.” When asked about performing at street festivals in Chicago, Godwin said, “Attending street festivals is one of my favorite things to do in Chicago. I’m so honored and excited to be amongst so many other talented artists who get to perform at the Bash on Wabash!”

Sunday Headliner JD McPherson

Saturday headliner Jessica Lea Mayfield is sure to wow the crowd. “Those who have not had the opportunity to see Mayfield are in for a real treat,” according to Sagen. On JD McPherson, Sunday’s headliner, Sagen ends on this note: “People young and old will love McPherson’s soulful, old school, rhythm and blues, rock and roll style. This is one artist I strongly recommend to everyone. I can’t think of a better musician to cap off the Bash on Wabash.”