Check Out Skokie's Backlot Bash Schedule

The English Beat, The Steepwater Band and ‘Tributosaurus becomes Kool & The Gang’ will headline Skokie’s BacklotBash main stage, August 23-25.

Skokie's three-day downtown festival will also feature food and beer, an amusement park, 5K Run, classic auto show, business expo, a teen dance and inflatable fun, a bingo tent, and a Sunday pancake breakfast. The event has regularly attracted more than 30,000 attendees annually since 2007.

“We believe we have another fantastic Bash planned with a great music lineup this year,” said event chairwoman Michelle Tuft. “The 2013 Main Stage will feature everything from Blues-Rock to Ska, to a tribute to Kool & The Gang. I think it’s fair to say that this year’s event will offer a great time to a diverse crowd of music lovers.”

The wildly popular Tributosaurus aside, Bash organizers continue to stick to their ‘original music only’ mission, this year conjuring up the event’s most eclectic mix of bands and music genres since its inception in 2007.

The English Beat, who formed in Birmingham, England in 1978, scored several hits in the 1980s, including “Save it for Later,” and “I Confess.” The ska-punk darlings of early MTV will hit the stage on Saturday, August 24 at 8:30 p.m. Warming up the band at 6:30 p.m. that night will be the popular Chicago reggae-ska outfit, Deals Gone Bad.

Sunday, August 25 will feature Tributosaurus, who this year will become Kool & The Gang.

Friday’s headliner will feature one of America’s hottest blues-infused rock bands. Chicago's Steepwater Band also dabble in psychedelia, Americana and hard rock. The group has toured the world for more than ten years and has a devout following.

Skokie’s Backlot Bash Schedule

Friday, August 23

6-10PM

·         Beer, Food

·         Bingo Bash!

6-9PM

·         Inflatable Jousting

·         The Mix 101.9 fm Road Crew

6:30PM

·         Rivals of the Peacemaker – Main Stage

8:30PM

·         The Steepwater Band – Main Stage

Saturday, August 24

7:30AM

·         5K Run/Walk registration begins at the Skokie Public Library

8:30AM

·         Kid's half mile race begins for ages 9-and-under

9AM

·         5K Run/Walk begins

11AM-10PM

·         Beer, Food

11AM-5PM

·         Business Expo

11AM

·         Yoga Presentation - Library Stage

12-10PM

·         Carnival (Megapasses $60 - entire weekend; Wristbands $20 - 12-4PM)

12-6PM

·         Skokie Heritage Museum open

12-5PM

·         Silent Films at the Skokie Theatre

·         Inflatable Obstacle Course presented by the Kiwanis Club

12-3PM

·         Historic Log Cabin open

·         Arts & Crafts for Kids (Library)

12PM

·         Filisko & Noden Roots Duo – Main Stage

1-6PM

·         Classic Auto Show

1PM

·         Brown-Reish 'Old Time' – Beer Tent Stage

2-10PM

·         Bingo Bash!

2-6PM

·         Dunk Tank presented by Dance Marathon & Dist. 219 Education Foundation

2PM

·         The Blue Coast Band (Blues) – Main Stage

2:30PM

·         Rick Kelley's Totally Interactive Family Musical Show - Library Stage

3PM

·         Joe Sounds Steel Drum Calypso – Beer Tent Stage

3:40PM

·         Gary Kantor's Magic Show – Library Stage

4:30PM

·         The Wanton Looks – Main Stage

6-9PM

·         Inflatable Jousting

6:30PM

·         Deal's Gone Bad – Main Stage

7-9:30PM

·         Teen Dance with DJ Rich “Too Much Funk” Ungos

8:30PM

·         The English Beat – Main Stage

Sunday, August 25

7:30AM-12:45PM

·         Skokie Farmer's Market

8-11AM

·         Pancake Breakfast - $6 presented by Rotary Club of Skokie Valley

12-8PM

·         Carnival (Wristbands $20 - 12-4P)

·         Beer, Food

12-6PM

·         Skokie Heritage Museum open

12-5P

·         Business Expo

·         Silent Films at the Skokie Theatre

12-3PM

·         Historic Log Cabin open

·         Arts & Crafts for Kids (Library)

·         Rewind 100.3 fm Street Team

12PM

·         Kitty Devine and the Big Whoop – Main Stage

12:30PM

·         Ballet Russe – Library Stage

1:30PM

·         The Intimate Machines – Main Stage

2-6PM

·         Bingo Bash!

·         Dunk Tank presented by Dance Marathon & Dist. 219 Education Foundation

2PM

·         Robin's Dog Stars – Library Stage

2:30-6PM

·         Classic Auto Show

3PM

·         The Artist Formally Known as Vince Band – Main Stage

3:30PM

·         Northshore Dance and Drama – Library Stage

4:30PM

·         Simple Simon – Main Stage

6PM - 50/50

·         50/50 Raffle - Main Stage

6:15PM

·         Tributosaurus becomes 'Kool & The Gang' – Main Stage

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