LINCOLN SQUARE — With a special stage curated by Bloodshot Records, Square Roots Festival will bring more than 50 craft brews and tons of bands to Lincoln Square this weekend.
Now in its eighth year, the The Old Town School of Folk Music and the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce’s craft beer and music fest kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday on Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Wilson. The fest will run until 10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday.
Organizers are asking for a suggested donation of $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids and $20 for families. Donations will benefit the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce’s concert programming and Old Town School of Folk Music’s financial aid programs.
The festival features four music stages, both inside the Old Town School and outside on Lincoln Avenue. Performers this year include Son Volt, Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker, The Wild Reeds, 47 Soul and Ivan Barrios.
In celebration of Bloodshot Records‘ 25th anniversary, the indie Irving Park label has programmed one of the stages Saturday, which will feature Murder By Death, Mekons and a few other surprise guests.
Calling the Old Town School of Folk Music the “Smithsonian Folk in the Midwest,” Rob Miller, owner of Bloodshot Records, said it was unbelievably humbling to be asked to help with this year’s programming.
“I’ve gone to shows there for decades and seen a lot of amazing stuff,” Miller said.
Square Roots will also feature more 50 unique craft brews from popular local breweries like Half Acre Beer Company, Begyle Brewing Company, Dovetail Brewery, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Ravinia Brewing Company, Sketchbook Brewing Company, Spiteful Brewing, Ten Ninety Brewing Company, Temperance Beer Company and Metropolitan Brewing.
Restaurants from in and around Lincoln Square will also serve up their best, including Green Leaf Thai Cuisine, Luella’s Gospel Bird, Sweet Pepper Venezuelan Food Bar, Amy’s Candy Bar, Artango Bar & Steakhouse, Bistro Campagne, Bo’s Concessions, Byron’s Hot Dogs, Dinky Delights, Essence of India, Gather, Groundswell Coffee Roasters, Isla Pilipina, Jerry’s, Lee’s Concessions, Miku Sushi, Taco in a Bag and Budlong Hot Chicken.
Check out the music lineup below:
Do Lincoln Square stories matter to you? Subscribe to Block Club Chicago. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.