9th Annual Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands

This year's Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands will be the first at the Old Town School of Folk Music. The initial Battle, nine years ago, was held in a modest North Side tavern; since then, growth has moved the from cultural centers to larger lofts and now to the School, to satisfy the increasing curiosity, interest, and following for jug band music.

What is this “Battle”? Think of it as a confrontation of fully armed musical combat units: feral jugs, banjo-ed ukes, and dangerously kazooed combat units, striving for nominal supremacy! More specifically, jug bands are acoustic cadres including instruments such as guitar, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica. The music is energized and made distinctive by jug, washboard, washtub bass, miscellaneous kitchenware, kazoo, and one-of-a kind instruments. Dancing is encouraged, this Battle will feature the introduction of the newest step: Wash the Dog.

In recent years participating bands in this epic clash have come from Chicago and Midwestern states, and as far away as Staten Island, New York. As in past years, proceeds will go to the Old Town School of Folk Music. Jug band classes at the School were the impetus for starting the Chicago battle.