Music and Running in the South Loop

     Summer is starting to wrap up.  That doesn't mean that Chicago doesn't have a few more fests up its sleeve though, as was seen this past weekend in the South Loop.  Crowds streamed into the fest to see all that it had to offer, and there was quite a bit.  The staple of any summertime fest worth its salt is the music lineup, and the Bash on Wabash was no exception.  This fest was interesting in that it featured 100% home-grown musical talent, with such acts as:

• California Wives, an 80s revival group with a twist. These guys trade the stereotypical synth-heavy sounds for more of pop sense and rhythms that you can dance to.
• Mar Caribe, which is a 7-member band covering the classics, 60s ballads, movie themes, cowboy songs, and surf numbers.  The name translates as 'Caribbean Sea', so it is little surprise that they have been described as "a combo as utterly fun as it is utterly weird"
• Martin Van Ruin, an amalgamation that took one member from Derek Nelson and the Musicians, some other guys from Planetsexploder, other folks from Jenny Dragon, and some other guys to sit in the back and think up more random band names.
• The O'My's, who actually aren't a George Takei tribute band, who are leading a new breed of local funk and soul music with generous doses of Chicago pride.  They've actually had quite a storied history of collaboration, including with folks like Chance the Rapper.

     Of course, the music isn't the only thing luring folks into the fests environs, with many other attractions as well. For those basketball fans in the crowd, there was even an opportunity to check out our very own DePaul Blue Demons.  The team was there to shoot hoops with their fans, play Hot Shot, and distribute information on the 2014-15 season.  There was even something for the runners and bikers out there, as the fest included a 5k run as part of the fest and a 10 Mile bike ride as well.  The 5k wasn't a strictly competitive race, but it was an opportunity for those attending the festivities to get out and explore the city on a run with other like-minded individuals.  Additionally, there were the usual smatterings of food offerings, kids events, as well as Goose Island having a presence at the festival.  All told, the Bash on Wabash ended up being a success, and one more sign of the wind-down of Chicago's summer.