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The GRalley has entertainment for everyone!

Live World Music Festival Performances
On Two Stages

Experience the 2009 Chicago World Music Festival (WMF) on Saturday September 19 from noon-10pm at the GRalley. Chicago Afrobeat Project will be the headliner at this World Music Festival Chicago event at the 2009 Edgewater GRalley Festival.

Rock out to performances by Chicago Afrobeat Project (WMF), Kusun Ensemble (WMF), Cara Dillon (WMF),  JT & The Clouds, Evan Holmes and Exit Ghost, Peter Bradley Adams, and Dolly Varden. There will also be an exciting performance by the eclectic country Chicago based band Janesville! Artists bios are listed below for more info. The GRalley starts at noon, so be sure to get there early for the following performances:

7:00 pm — Cara Dillon (WMF Artist)
8:00 pm — Kusun Ensemble (WMF Artist)
9:00 pm — Chicago Afrobeat Project (WMF Artist)
The complete music line-up for the 2009 GRalley is listed below.

• Chicago Afrobeat Project (Chicago)

  Afrobeat cannot stand still. As the genre's tempting sounds continue a resurgence across the globe, Chicago Afrobeat Project (CAbP) remains true to its original vision of breathing the intensity of Chicago's rich music scene into the infectious sounds of afrobeat. Rather than become caricatures of the genre, CAbP slips a reverent nod to the tradition while delivering an energized originality different from any other band on the afrobeat scene today. Afrobeat's range of influences funk, rock, jazz, afro-cuban, high life and juju music settle into a hypnotic, dance-compelling pulse at the core of CAbP. The group layers a fiery originality around this core through high-energy rock and experimental jazz. At each of its 100+ live performances a year, the group's frenzied songs hit audiences with a big enough one-two punch to tirelessly knock them onto the dance floor time and time again.
  
  Visit the Chicago Afrobeat Project website for more info >>
  Check out the Chicago Afrobeat Project MySpace page for more info >>
  
  
  

• Kusun Ensemble (Ghana/USA)
  

  The Kusun Ensemble is an extraordinary group of musicians and dancers based in Ghana, West Africa. Although rooted in traditional music, the ensemble has developed a new brand of music and dance they have dubbed "Nokoko." They have created innovative rhythms and dances by fusing bass and lead guitar, electrifying jazz and African rhythms, and traditional Ghanaian instruments. In their quest to develop a new style of Ghanaian music, they have been dazzling audiences in Ghana and around the world. By blending the authentic sounds of traditional instruments with the exuberance of highlife music and the complexity of African jazz, they are developing a unique Ghanaian sound and bringing the tropical passion of West African music and dance to the world stage.
  
  Visit the Kusan Ensemble website for more info >>
  Check out the Kusan Ensemble MySpace page for more info >>
  
  
  

• Cara Dillon (Ireland)
  

  Cara Dillon has a staggeringly beautiful voice which has the ability to reach inside the soul of a song and imbue material with not only profound sweetness but also poignancy and depth. The combination of Cara's expressive vocals and husband Sam Lakeman's rippling piano and fresh production squeezes new life into ancient material. Their original songs sit happily alongside the traditional, reinforcing the debt they owe, whilst pointing to a distinct and distinguished musical identity all of their own. Whether she's singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or their original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer.
  
  Visit Cara Dillon's website for more info >>
  Check out Cara Dillon's MySpace page for more info >>
  
  
  

• Janesville (Chicago)*
  

  Janesville is an eclectic country band based in Chicago. This versatile group captivates crowds with their mix of original music and crowd-pleasing covers. TORREYA LYN ("Torri") is Janesville's lead singer/songwriter and rhythm guitar player, and she launched the project that is now Janesville in April of 2004. A licensed attorney, she prosecuted criminals and represented police officers for several years before realizing that she loves music more than the practice of law. She is still trying to adjust to the huge paycut she has taken, but she finds writing country songs much more enjoyable than writing summary judgment motions. OWEN COOPER is Janesville's talented and experienced lead guitar player and the band's musical director. Janesville's solid rhythm section is bassist, KARL PAULSEN, and drummers, PAUL HARRIS and JULIAN STACEY. Finally, Janesville is so very happy to have the lovely Mother/daughter back up singing team of CINDY and ALAINA STACEY. Together, Janesville can win over crowds of folks who didn't even know they liked country music!
  
  Check out the Janesville MySpace page for more info >>

The complete music line-up for the 2009 GRalley on two live stages includes:

Bud Light® Stage (West Granville Avenue)

ALDI® Stage (West Rosemont Avenue)


* Janesville is not a WMF Artist.

Newly added performers will be announced on a regular basis here on our website. Sign up for email updates to get the latest info regarding musical acts for the 2009 GRalley.

For the Sports Fan

A Sports Corner showing Cubs, Sox and College Football Games sponsored by The Pumping Company. Some match-ups to look forward to include:

• Cubs vs. Cardinals - 3 pm
• Sox vs. Royals - 6 pm
• Northwestern vs. Syracuse - 12 pm
• Northern Illinois vs. Purdue - 12 pm
• Notre Dame vs. Michigan State - 3:30 pm

Please note that times, bands and all other entertainment are all subject to change.