WYCC’s new Mayne Stage series launches with a party

When the Mayne Stage music/food venue general manager Joe Prino, former Metro co-owner and one the most names famous in Chicago’s rock world, proposed a program partnership with WYCC/20 PBS general manager Paul Buckner wasted no time signing up.

“The new show gives us a strong connection with Chicago’s public television viewers, who value local shows of great music and that incredible, at-home concert experience,” says Buckner, a former Ch. 11 VP/production. 

In the year since the deal was struck, WYCC has taped 10 one hour performances of an eclectic lineup of touring bands in front of a live audience. “Music on the Mayne Stage” opens with Texas band Seryn Friday, Sept. 11 at 9 p.m., though Nov. 13. 

But the night before, Thursday, Sept. 10, there’s a party.

“WYCC, the Mayne Stage and the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend the launch release party,” says Shaunese Teamer, WYCC director of  marketing. 

“Enjoy refreshments, drinks, raffle, a show clip reel and a performance by Nick Shaheen, a featured artist from the series, all complimentary, starting at 6 p.m.”

The show includes documentary-style interviews with the artists sharing their personal music stories. Behind-the-scenes extended interviews and music clips from the concerts stream online.

Simultaneously, the weekly Friday concerts will stream on YouTube.

Featured musician Nick Shaheen to entertain at the launch partyWYCC’s crew of 33, utilizing Mayne Stage’s state-of-the-art audio and video systems, was led by longtime senior producer Ricardo Islas, who’d produced WYCC’s recent “Buddy Guy’s Legends Presents the Chicago Blues.” Jeremy Alexander directed; production manager was Brian McMurray; supervising producer, Shelley Spencer and engineering director, John Freberg.

At 1328 W. Morse Ave.  For more launch party information, call Teamer at 773/487-3788.

“Music On the Mayne Stage” schedule: Sept. 11, Seryn; Sept. 18, Miss Tess/Nick Shaheen; Sept. 25, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound; Oct. 2, Tommy Keene; Oct. 9, Les Percolateurs; Oct. 16, Fareed Haque and the Trans; Oct. 23, Barrence Whitfield and the Savages; Oct. 30, Amy Hart/Nick Gaitán; Nov. 6, Switchback; Nov. 13, The Frank Catalano Jimmy Chamberlin Collective.

Sidebar: The Mayne Stage building has remarkable 103 year history, opening in 1912 as the Morse Theatre. It was remodeled in the 1930s and in 2006 got a $6 million refurbishment.  After being dark for a few years, the Mayne Stage took over in 2011.