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.

As usual for the summer, there are a ton of great shows going on which also happen to be free. Trek on down to Millennium Park or Navy Pier to check out some cost-free tunes.

Why hello there, quiet week.