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.
WYCC’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.
