Chicago's role in the Blues scene is cemented but the bar has opened up its booking to different genres. Alicia Robicheau hosts an open mic and country folk outfit, The Stables, plays the first Thursday of the month. The club still has jazz acts and the blues. It's this that Stacey is creating his festival around. Plus he has chosen to go all local.

Stacey's just a music guy who believes in the kids in this town and the tunes they are making. He is also offering to have a 50/50 draw with half going for this year's Shwaltz. He's offering the cottage goers a "stay-cation" with a line-up that takes into consideration the regulars at the bar but he is also reaching out to those in the roots community.

Funny enough, Robin Hawkins is playing but I would suggest that each band on this bill shares a kinship with The Hawk at some musical level. We have spoken about many of them already in previous columns. Here is a brief overview of each act in the order they will play.

Pete Merilovich

Pete is a frequent player at open mics and also plays every Saturday evening at Chicago's. He replied when asked: "...I play traditional folk-blues music in a slide and finger-picking style influenced by the likes of John Hammond and John Prine. Some of it is original but I don't make a big deal about it. I just blend my stuff in with the others, that aren't covered faithfully anyway, but more in a style of my own that I'm trying to develop. I've been around here for a while, just not in this context."

Robin Hawkins Band

Robin is the son of the man who brought the rock to Canada but he's a player in his own right. While he's dabbled in most musical styles, he has recently returned to his roots in straight up bluesy rock 'n roll. He's played in his daddy's band The Hawks and just released It's My Time which says it all really. www.myspace.com/therobinhawkinsband

The Robots

Surfing hellcats with a metalhead on the drum kit, the Robots are becoming one popular party band. Their dance card fills up rapidly. Their diehard attitude and shredding skills have earned them many fans and who doesn't get off on surf anyway. It's undiluted good times if one is fortunate enough not to end up in the soup. www.myspace.com/therobotssurfband

CATL

Stomping swampy rock 'n roll with a whole lotta moon-seeking howls from just a withered guitar and a bare bone kit. The simplicity of the set up allows the torturous emotions unfettered range. CATL play post N'Awlins existential blues.

www.myspace.com/catlmusic

Jeff Leech

A one-man renaissance who paints and plays and plays what he paints and paints those who play with him. With a modest manner and a modern take on the troubadour, Mr. Leech is always a highlight. Many in this town are waiting on the official record release but, until then, live is where it's at and Leech is a live wiry act. www.myspace.com/jeffleech

Cam Clark and the Commune

Cam Clarke comes to us from Lovemethod. He's an old skool rocker who has turned to the acoustic for its kinder, gentler voice. His Commune is comprised of members of the Micronite Filters who can crank it up should the feeling hit. Cam plays self-described Country Soul with psychedelic leanings. He has an EP available titled This Dark Season Is Reborn.

www.myspace.com/camclark

The Recroom

A trio; two gurls, one angelic kat, who all play moody blues, melancholic, lonesome sounds which seep like a graveyard mist into an enchanted sonic realm. It's eerie and brilliant and the Recroom is one of the best bands in this town at the moment. The Recroom's Wake Up This City was the tops in 2007 on our list. www.myspace.com/recroom

Micronite Filters

Abel Renton and Dan Reiff are MF. With a rotating gang of friends, they play a deeply-grooved Crazy Horse-styled blues that could be the sound track to every broken blue collar town. They have several recordings including a double CD available on their own label Get Bent. Eye Weekly calls album closer In The Clouds..."Hendrix-styled feedback-and-harmonica ambience that dissolves into a slide blues jam".