Did anybody catch the great live blues band on Main Street a couple Saturdays ago?
What a great idea - good live music, street blocked off for sidewalk artists, and the ability to enjoy a black & tan from a plastic cup while roaming the area.
We loved it - just wondered where everybody else was that night.
Yes the CBD is can be disappointing but we'll be there whenever we see something positive.
Support live music in town!

We "stumbled" across the band after dinner in downtown GE and couldn't believe how few other people were there too. I'm surprised they even bothered to play to a crowd of, say, five people. Too bad that didn't get more (any?) publicity ahead of time. We thought they were great. I think they said they play at Curly's the first Wednesday night of each month. Hope to see them again.

I mentioned this in another thread and didnt get a response...

they were pretty good, and the attendance was dismal. i had no idea this was even happening, and also stumbled upon it while strolling to the a watering hole with my lady.

another prime example of "No Notice, No Advertising, No Attendance"...great job!

FYI - Madonnari on Main was created by the DGEA in conjunction with the Festival of Arts to bring additional business to the CBD. The event was promoted for weeks and in more than 4 newpaper stories and multiple Ads in Glen Ellyn and surrounding areas during the 2 weeks prior to the event. A mini event was held for children at the Farmers Market the week before with flyers and registration forms being handed out as well. It was on the Chamber of Commerce, Go Downtown, Village, EDC, Lions Club web sites and this very bulletin board. Posters were distributed to every business in the CBD 2 weeks prior, menu inserts were provided to every restaurant in town. Registration forms for the event were in the Library and a multitude of CBD businesses at the counter. In addition, 15 art schools and stores were notified and received registration forms. There were event signs with the actual name on the sign at St. Charles Rd and Roosevelt Road. Every business in the CBD was notified of the event and invited to join the planning meetings, join as volunteers, hire an artist to do a square for them and attend the event.

Due to the railroad traffic, it is necessary to hold events on one side of the tracks or another. Fourth of July, The Jazz Fest and the sidewalk sale were just held North of the tracks. The upcoming Halloween festivities and big Holiday events will be North as well. The DGEA has and will assist with those events. It made sense to do an event on the South side of the tracks. In addition, DGEA members, also owners of Tap House and Bells & Whistles chaired the event, making it additionally appropriate to hold the event on the South side. The cluster of restaurants in that area brought about the idea of opening up to the street in the evening.

After much preparation, research and organization, this event was presented to the Village, brought before the Board and received a unanimous vote. Not a single comment against it came from the community at the workshop or general meeting. Your Village worked very hard to make this event a reality and deserves the communities' gratitude.

The alcohol allowance was never set for any restaurants outside of the Main to Duane district for control purposes. Each restaurant was required to be current on all liquor training and covered their own costs for additional staff to manage the situation. The road was secured with volunteers and barricades to keep beverages contained to the approved areas. Every individual was carded and required to wear a band if taking a drink out doors. All drinks were required to be off the street by 10pm. Police were posted at the event for additional security.

300 individual chalk creations were completed between 8am & 5pm. Artists ranged from toddler to professional, 1'x 1' to 8'x 8'squares. Another 50-100 fun creations were made with left over chalk, between 6pm and midnight. The event was completely free, artists received all materials, meals, treats, water and a T-shirt free. Those who visited the free event enjoyed not only the art, but 2 wonderful bands from 1pm-10pm. The second band went into Cabs for an additional set or 2.

Throughout the day individuals were welcome to hop on the Free Trolley to the Lake to enjoy the festival of Arts and those there could come out and enjoy the Madonnari on Main Event. The conductor of the Trolley pointed out various business and historic landmarks along the way. It took passengers right through the middle of town both ways in order to expose as many people as possible to the community.

Please watch for information regarding this event next year. If approved, it will again be held in conjunction with the Festival of the Arts. All are welcome to participate in planning, volunteering, participating and/or visiting.

If you wish to be on the email list for future events, feel free to contact any of the above named groups and they would be happy to include you on the e-blasts.

Thank you to all the businesses, residents and Village staff who made this event so wonderful!

And Bell, MUCH of the credit for this event goes to you. Thank you for your time, talent and tireless enthusiasm toward this and our downtown. Amazing!

Bell....YOU should be running the Chamber of Commerce. You appear to have the energy and ideas necessary to move this tired town forward. We need new blood over there...new answers to old problems. Any organization's leaders that can't figure out how to scrounge up a few hundred bucks to put together an event that brings HALF of the village's population into the CBD for the day needs to be rethought and/or replaced.

I went directly to the Chamber Co-President today and learned the following about Halloween.
They are very proud of their history with this event and are definitely coordinating the event again this year. They're currently searching for a Chairperson for the event within the Chamber Membership. They intend it to be as memorable as past years. Should you have ideas or a willingness to jump on board as a volunteer on the committee, contact Georgia Koch.

Thanks for the kind words, I love Glen Ellyn and events that bring the community together. I look forward to offering my assistance in the future.

quote:

I went directly to the Chamber Co-President today and learned the following about Halloween.
They are very proud of their history with this event and are definitely coordinating the event again this year. They're currently searching for a Chairperson for the event within the Chamber Membership. They intend it to be as memorable as past years. Should you have ideas or a willingness to jump on board as a volunteer on the committee, contact Georgia Koch.

Not sure what brought about the 180 from the Chamber, but I suppose it is good news to the three retailers that planned on making certain this nearly free and completely void of any planning or preparation event takes place. Call the police and arrange for some barricades and foot patrol...and the retailers pay for the rest and do the work. The need for a Chairperson for this "event" is...well...kinda funny.

Which leads me to a question. Given the state of retail and retailers that need a helping hand and some direction, primarily in the CBD, why did the COC hire two people that are already employed full-time? Why is that post not occupied by a full-time, dedicated professional? A professional with ideas, vitality and direction?

Which 3 retailers were planning to take on Halloween?

Mike and Georgia and the DGEA members, who take time away from their professional and personal schedules to make a difference in Glen Ellyn, would be very happy to consider all ideas for Halloween and other upcoming events. E-mail me bwsnackery@gmail.com and I will include your info at our next 8am DGEA meeting. I look forward to many great ideas.

A Chairperson is needed to organize a few group activities on North Main which require planning, public works needs to be contacted for barricades, signage for street closure requested, "foot Patrol" coordinated. Stores and the community need to be notified, volunteers need to be out and about during the event and a clean up crew to put the place back in order after. Someone has to be willing to oversee all that in advance, day of and follow up with COC after. They also have to recruit volunteers to help. I'm sure there is more I don't know about. Finally, the Chairperson is required to be a Chamber of Commerce member. You'd think it would be easy to find someone willing to do such a "simple" job...yet weeks of searching has left the COC with no willing individuals.

If there is a Chamber member willing to take this on, please call the COC first thing Monday and put all our minds at ease.

I will send you the names. You know them well.

If you can't entice either, I hereby nominate Mike or Georgia for the Chairman job. Problem solved!

I'm good a fixing these issues, aren't I?

I'll look for names, Thanks!