Battle Of The Bands

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre has selected the six amateur musical groups who will be competing for cash prizes during its “Battle of the Bands” set for Saturday, July 25, from 6-10:30 p.m.

One band of the six hails from Joliet, with other performers representing Plainfield, Crest Hill and Morris. Event planners are eager to draw a large crowd of band groupies, friends and music lovers to help “rock the bluffs” under the bandshell, located at 201 West Jefferson Street.Visitors are encouraged to bring their favorite lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the musical extravaganza to be held by the waterway along historic Bluff Street in downtown Joliet. “Battle of the Bands” is open to the public, and Park admission for the night will be just $5 (cash only) per person to hear all 6 bands. Concessions will be available for purchase.

The bands selected are as follows: Apollo (Plainfield), Bulletproof (Plainfield), and Lost Connection (Plainfield), as well as Lakehead (Joliet), As Giants (Crest Hill), and Webbly Greens (Morris).The six bands will compete for the top three spots, with a $600 cash reward for the winning band and a chance to play downtown Joliet at Juliet’s Tavern (the event’s sponsor), $500 for Second Place and $400 for Third Place.

Apollo (Plainfield)

• Alex Curtner (vocals, bass)
• Nathan Bartlett (guitar/ keys/ backing vocals)
• Lukas Houghton (guitar, keys)
• Hayden McCaughn (drums)

As Giants (Crest Hill)

• Tyler Arnoff (drums)
• Joey Fernandez (vocals, guitar)
• Paolo Lazisero (bass)
• Jake Vidovich (guitar)

Bulletproof (Plainfield)

• Audrey Behun (lead singer/ rhythm guitarist)
• Luke Sever (lead guitarist)
• Noe Vital (bassist/ backup vocals)
• Draven Castrovillari (drummer)

Lakehead (Joliet)

• Tyler Pacheco (guitar, vocals)
• Mike Wolz (guitar, vocals)
• Jake Theimer (bass)
• Naveen Rao (drums)

Lost Connection (Plainfield)

• Jonathan Vota (vocals, guitar)
• Alexander Lloyd (guitar, vocals)
• Justin Webb (bass, vocals)

Webbly Greens (Morris)

• Dave Duggins (lead vocals/rhythm guitar)
• Eric Meade (lead guitar)
• Brody Wick (percussion)
• Tim Kopecky (bass/backing vocals)

The recently-announced closure of the Jefferson Street bridge will not cause any trouble for those attending, according to Park officials. The Park entrance and its ample free parking are accessible without crossing the bridge from the west. In fact, officials report that virtually exclusive access to Jefferson Street will make it easier than ever for bands, their groupies, and guests to experience the event. Visitors traveling east on Jefferson Street to the Park are encouraged to use the left lane. Continue straight, past the barricades and onto the Park at the base of the Jefferson Street bridge. Park entrance is on the left (north of Jefferson Street) and plenty of free parking is on the right (south) along the river and bluffs.

For information on Battle of the Bands, call the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre at 815.724.3760, go to the website at www.bicentennialpark.org, or find them on Facebook. A popular cultural community arts center, located along historic Bluff Street in downtown Joliet by the waterway, the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre hosts concerts, musicals, performances and special events year round. An indoor theatre, outdoor bandshell and 10-acre park draw thousands of visitors annually, who enjoy the history, culture and unique scenery this special place offers.