Market Days kicks off today in Boystown

Chicago, IL - Northalsted Market Days, the Midwest's largest outdoor street fest, opens today at 11 a.m. and runs through Sunday on what promises to be a beautiful weekend.

Now in its 28th year, the two-day festival features non-stop music, an eclectic mix of over 400 vendors and plenty of diversity in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood on Halsted Street between Belmont and Addison.

Among the performers on Market Days' four music stages will be R&B icons En Vogue, Jody Watley, Kristine W, Cece Peniston and Kathy Sledge at the new "VIP Stage" near Addison. Among the more than 40 acts set to appear on stages at Belmont and Roscoe are disco legends The Village People, Eric Himan, Linda Clifford, Dot Dot Dot, Levi Kreis, Jason Antone and 16 Candles.

"I'm looking forward to performing at Market Days this weekend," Kreis told ChicagoPride.com. "I'm flying in my amazing band from LA and I cannot wait to share my new album ['Where I Belong'] with the fans live on stage. See you there!"

New this year is VIP access where festival goers can get closer to the action and their favorite performers, including headliners En Vogue, Berlin and Jody Watley.

The Horseshoe Casino VIP stage is the only stage at the festival offering VIP wristband access, and due to the placement and structure of the stage, non-VIP areas offer partially obstructed viewing of this particular stage.

Two levels of access are available for each day of the festival: $30 per day gives you access to back of house (second tier access) and one beverage; and $50 per day offers front of house (closest to the stage) and two beverages.

Wristbands are also available for purchase at The Gourmet Grape, 3530 N. Halsted; Gay Mart, 3457 N. Halsted; I.D. Chicago, 3337 N. Halsted; The Leigh Gallery, 3306 N. Halsted; and Shel-Don's, 3922 N. Broadway.

THE VIP section with an added charge has been meet with mixed reactions by those planning to attend, but the Northalsted Area Merchants Association, organizers of Market Days, says the proceeds will go to neighborhood beautification and help defray the cost of bringing in performances like En Vouge and Berlin.

Another big draw of Market Days are the 400 food and unique arts & craft vendors. From the tried and true to the zany and unique, the artisans (as well as food offerings) at the fest promise something for every taste!

There is a voluntary $7 donation that supports the event organization.

Market Days Entertainment Schedule

LOGO Belmont Stage Entertainment presented by Comcast
Saturday
12:15pm - Kimi Hayes
2:00pm - The Handcuffs
3:00pm - Chicago Spirit Brigade
3:30pm - My Dear Disco
4:45pm - LOGO Lip Sync Contest
5:15pm - Dot Dot Dot
7:45pm - Rock Candy

Sunday
12:30pm - Suzy Brack & The New Jack Lords
2:00pm - BPM
3:00pm - Windy City Cowboys
3:30pm - Hag
4:45pm - Chicago Spirit Brigade
5:15pm - Candye Kane
7:00pm - Cat Fight

Horseshoe Casino VIP Stage at Addison Entertainment
Saturday
3:30pm - Syesha Mercado
5:20pm - Lucas Prata
7:00pm - Kristine W
9:00pm - En Vogue

Sunday
3:30pm - CeCe Peniston
4:30pm - Kathy Sledge
6:30pm - Berlin
8:30pm - Jody Watley

Roscoe Stage Entertainment
Saturday
Noon - Everelle
1:15pm - Jason Antone
2:00pm - Brian Kent
2:45pm - Kelly King
4:15pm - Levi Kreis
6:00pm - Eric Himan
8:00pm - 16 Candles

Sunday
12:30pm - Project Ultra
2:15pm - The Hat Guys
5:00pm - Abba Band
6:45pm - Linda Clifford
8:30pm - Village People

The Jazz Oasis
Saturday
12:30 pm - The Flat Cats
3:00 pm - International Academy of Design and Technology Fashion Show
3:30 pm - Liz Mandeville & the Blues Points
5:45 pm - ROTC Squad
6:30 pm - Chicago Cabaret Project

Sunday
12:30 pm - Petra
3:30 pm - Soulio
6:30 pm - BMR4

For more information visit www.chicagoevents.com.