LINCOLN PARK — The circus has come to town, and it features a lot of kids jamming out — with Wilco band member John Stirratt.
This will be the third year for the Rock-N-Pop Circus, hosted by Intonation Music Workshop, a non-profit music education organization that teaches kids how to form their own pop and rock bands.
On Saturday, kids who have gone through Intonation’s programs will have a chance to rock 'n' roll with the best of them at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.
Stirratt will be jamming on the bass with student band White Diamond.
Intonation’s program director Cyndy Fike said the kids in the band are psyched to be performing with Stirratt.
“It’s just such an invaluable experience for them,” she said.
Stirratt will be joining the kids via a program called Noteworthy Mentoring, which was started by Stirratt’s wife, Crissy Stirratt, and Miiri Kotche, who is married to Wilco's Glenn Kotche.
The two women started Noteworthy Mentoring to allow professional touring artists a chance to mentor young aspiring musicians.
Fike said White Diamond will play an original song composed by the band, in addition to several oldies, including Stealers Wheel “Stuck in the Middle With You” and the Beatles' “Come Together.”
“They really love those classic songs. That old vintage sound,” Fike said of the 9-, 16- and 17-year-olds in White Diamond.
In addition to White Diamond, featured bands Saturday include Pop Tots, Scorps and RhymeSchool. There will also be Rock Star face painting, a “celebrity” photo booth — with cutouts of Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber — and a musical “petting zoo,” where kids can pick up instruments and give them a try.
Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door for adults, and $3 in advance or $5 at the door for youth. The concert is free for kids under 5 and Intonation Music Workshop students.
