2021 Music Festival - Night Four LIVE Concert

Friday, August 13, 2021
6:15 PM 11:00 PM 18:15 23:00

Port Clinton Square 600 Central Avenue Highland Park, IL, 60035 United States (map)

Google Calendar ICS

Bitter Jester Music Festival 2021

- Night Four: A FIVE STATE AFFAIR!! -

Performer & Judges Lineup and Bios

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make a tax-deductible donation today!

BJMF is thrilled to welcome 101.9 The MiX FM as official 2021 Grand Finale Media Sponsor!

Ravinia Brewing Co. and Judy’s Pizza will once again be on hand serving delicious food and beverages for all and beer & wine to our of-age patrons!

Welcome Chicago North Shore Moms, a 2021 Media Sponsor of the BJMF! ChicagoNorthShoreMoms.com is giving moms the gift of time with vetted lists of the best local resources from North Shore beaches and pools to summer festivals, and everything in between and we couldn’t be more excited about this wonderful partnership!

August 13, 2021 Performers:

This Week’s Musical Acts in Competition:

Ian Jake Robleza (IL), Lyra (IL), Opening Day (IN), Pretoria (MI), Quite Frankly the Band (MO), and Vertigo (WI).

Audio teaser for this week!

CHECK OUT THE BANDS BIOS!
On your phone? Click HERE to read band bios, otherwise look below…

Ian Jake Robleza

Ian Jake Robleza is a 20 year old singer/songwriter from Aurora, IL. He draws from many different genres including easy rock, rap, and acoustic pop. Ian hopes to deliver eclectic, energetic, and emotional performances to his audiences, no matter their size. From intimate ballads to crowd pleasing sing-alongs, Ian recounts intricate experiences with vulnerability, passion, and a fondness for human connection.

Lyra

Lyra is an alternative rock trio based in Deerfield, IL, comprised of Lucas Lewit (bass & vocals), Stephen Shaul (guitar & vocals), and Jonah Simon (Lead Percussionist). With roots in 90's grunge, progressive rock, and a hint of shoegaze, they bring a diverse, high energy sound to their shows. Lyra is planning on releasing their first EP in September, 2021.

Opening Day

Opening Day is an Experimental Rock band willing to push the boundaries between genres and styles. They create a unique blend of psychedelic dreamscapes, groovy blues licks, and guitar riffs that'll rule your heart with an iron fist. From Indianapolis, IN, Opening Day is a project concocted by guitarist Casper Miller with a brand new lineup of young and eager musicians joining him!

Pretoria

Pretoria is a five piece, guitar-driven, indie-rock band hailing from Grand Rapids, MI. Formed in 2018 by high school friends Josh Bilisko (guitar) and Rob Gullet (bass), Pretoria has continued to grow with its 2019 EP "Cape Town" and BJMF 2020-winning single "Keep Two Stepping." Today, Pretoria is aimed at getting involved with the community, producing new music, and traveling the I-96 to a show near you!

Quite Frankly, the Band

When four teens decided to pursue music at Kansas City's School of Rock, they not only found their passion, but also each other as well… and Quite Frankly was born. This “gotta see” band from MO is no longer just a student band but an ensemble holding its own even when opening for national touring acts such as The Darbies, The Jacks, and LA Guns!

Vertigo

Vertigo is a Kenosha, WI, based band that fuses punk and indie rock. The band consists of Ryan McGonegle as lead vocalist and guitarist, Brock Freund as lead guitarist and backing vocalist, Rocco Matteucci as bassist, and Alex Cope as the drummer.

Fightin' Bob (Featured Showcase Band)

Fightin’ Bob is a 5-piece “Frog Rock” (funk/prog rock) band whose members hail from across the greater Milwaukee, WI, area. They play originals and covers, ranging from prog rock (ELP, King Crimson, Pink Floyd) to funk/jazz fusion (The Meters, Stevie Wonder, Weather Report) to jam band/psychedelia (Grateful Dead, Santana, Jimi Hendrix) and even their own interpretations of classic rock (Led Zeppelin, Queen, Three Dog Night).

Linda Therese (Featured Showcase Solo Artist)

Linda Therese is an 18 year old singer-songwriter from the Chicagoland area. She has been singing her whole life and started playing guitar 5 years ago. Linda enjoys playing a wide variety of music including rock, indie, folk, pop, jazz, and R&B. Her songwriting style is heavily influenced by Joni Mitchell.

The Peter Dankelson Trio (Featured Showcase Band)

Peter Dankelson (known online as “Pete’s Diary”) has been playing guitar for five years. He’s played as a guest with Jared James Nichols, Ike Reilly, Linsey Alexander, and Mary lane. Peter is now writing his debut rock album with Ryan Johnson on drums and Mac McRae on bass. Together they are “The Peter Dankelson Trio.”

Concert begins at 6:15 pm - food and drinks available before showtime!

Featured Opening Showcase Band:

Before the main competition, Fighting’ Bob will kick things off! They were rained out on 8/6 and graciously rearranged their schedules to join us on Friday the 13th!

Fightin’ Bob is a 5-piece “Frog Rock” (funk/prog rock) band whose members hail from across the greater Milwaukee, WI area. They play originals and covers, ranging from prog rock (ELP, King Crimson, Pink Floyd) to funk/jazz fusion (The Meters, Stevie Wonder, Weather Report) to jam band/psychedelia (Grateful Dead, Santana, and Jimi Hendrix) and even their own interpretations of classic rock (Led Zeppelin, Queen, Three Dog Night).

Featured Showcase Solo Artist:

Linda Therese continues the show with a solo performance starting at 6:45pm.

Linda is an 18 year old singer songwriter from the Chicagoland area. She has been singing her whole life having begun guitar five years ago. She enjoys playing a wide variety of music including rock, indie, folk, pop, jazz, and R&B. Her writing style is heavily influenced by Joni Mitchell.

Featured Closing Showcase Band:

After the main competition, The Peter Dankelson Trio will bring us home with a live set of their own!

Peter, (known online as “Pete's Diary”) has been playing guitar for five years. In that time he has played as a guest with Jared James Nichols, Ike Reilly, Linsey Alexander, and Mary Lane, to name a few. He is now writing his debut rock album with Ryan Johnson on drums and Mac McRae on vocals and bass, aka “The Peter Dankelson Trio!”