Welcome back to your regularly scheduled blogging! If you're around this weekend, check out the three-day Chicago Bluegrass and Blues festival, with shows at the Double Door, the Congress Theatre, and Lincoln Hall.

It's no surprise that I'm a big fan of the Chicago Roots Collective, which is now entering its second year of life here in the city. The Collective is made up of ten local bands, has put on 30 shows over the past year, and has a monthly showcase at one of my favorite venues, Lincoln Hall.

This Week in Great Music: 9/6 - 9/12

After three days of Lollapalooza, I kind of don't want to think about music right now. Fortunately for those of us who are sort of burnt out at the moment, there's not a lot going on. I'll be at the Rufus Wainwright show on Friday. I'm not in love with his new album, but as a Rufus (and Martha) fangirl, I'll go to the concert all the same. Maybe I will love the new songs more, seeing them live.

One of my favorite things about the city of Chicago is the large number of street festivals, block parties, etc., that take place all summer long. If you can't find something to do on a weekend here, you're probably just not looking hard enough.

This Week in Great Music: 6/7 - 6/13

This Week in Great Music: 5/31 - 6/6

This week might as well be known as the Week of Great Shows that I Can't Go to Because I Have to Prepare for People to Come Install New Carpet. Home ownership is not always worth it, let me tell you.