Are you jumping on a plane to Chicago Open Air? See what else is happening there! And FOOD!!!

Marilyn Manson will be performing at Chicago Open Air

If you're in Sacramento and looking for a rock-and-metal festival between now and Aftershock, Chicago Open Air is a great idea--just one direct flight from Sacramento International. It's the first year of this festival, and there is very little overlap with what was announced for Aftershock last week, apart from Disturbed and Korn, and who wouldn't want to see them twice???  Rammstein, Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Ministry, Breaking Benjamin, Marilyn Manson, Of Mice And Men, Alter Bridge and Gemini Syndrome are but a few who will be playing Chicago Open Air... it's well worth the trip!

Slipknot, headliners on Sunday of Chicago Open Air

Oh and it's three days. THREE DAYS! Yes... July 15th, 16th and 17th. Summer heaven.

(And it's about time we saw Gemini Syndrome again... and heard the new album. I believe it's going to be here. Soon. Soon.)

And there's more... and more... and more! All the festival experience... all the good folks like FXCK Cancer and Take Me home and Dyin 2 Live (who make dreams happen--check out their website).

One thing that will be very Chicago-unique is the selection of local food vendors.  Chicago Open Air will feature selections from Chicago-area favorites such as: Bruges Brothers (Braised Oxtail Poutine, Currywurst, Comeback Fish and Chips), Chicago Doghouse (Rattlesnake and Rabbit Sausage, Smoked Alligator Sausage, and believe it or not, French Poodle... go read the menu), Crème Of The Crop Food Truck (Grown Up Mac & Cheese, Strawberry Chicken Wrap, Tater Skins), Dia De Los Tamales (Cuban Tamale, Spicy Black Bean and Corn Tamale, The Chicago Beef), Dinky Donuts, International Spud Station (The Spudnik, Apollo-Mash, Nebula Chips), Kuma’s Corner (Led Zeppelin Burger, Iron Maiden Burger), and loads and loads more... see here to make your mouth water. You will not go hungry. You may come home heavier. Don't worry about it, you'll work most of the calories off in FFDP circle pit.

(Now I'm hungry. Must. Eat. Dinner. Now.)

Otep will be headlining the pre-party at Concord Music Hall

As it's the very first Chicago Open Air, there's a special event the evening before, Thursday July 14th (which is, of course, Bastille Day in France, so it's an extra good excuse to have a party, if you are even a tiny bit French). The official Chicago Open Air Pre-Party presented by 95 WIIL Rock and 100.7 QRock will be held at Concord Music Hall, with Otep headlining, (check out the latest album, Generation Doom, it's unique), supported by Shaman's Harvest, Islander and Through Fire. If you have a ticket for Chicago Open Air there is an oppotunity to buy $10 discounted tickets: full price is $17, tickets here.  There are also a limited number of tickets available for a very special festival kick-off dinner, presented by Chicago's Goose & Fox, starting at 6 p.m. July 14th--five courses, all local and seasonal food... darnit, I'm really, really hungry now.

If you're looking for the beer at the festival, there will of course be craft beer, local beer... and the Headbangers' Beer Hall, a metal-themed dive bar complete with Marshall amps lining the wall (what else?), plus a load of other beer and booze opportunities, and of course there will be Monster Energy and free sampling on their viewing deck (always a good place to go!)

So you can tell Mom not to worry. You will eat well. You won't go thirsty. You'll have fun. (And if you're taking the kids, make sure you're around for Five Finger Death Punch. They always do something special.)

Five Finger Death Punch will play Sunday at Chicago Open Air

There is much, much more than the music at this festival: check out everything here, on the Chicago Open Air website. There are a few tickets left... don't procrastinate!

So... if you are in Chicago and ready for this huge, monster-sized metal experience for the very first time,  or if you're booking a plane ticket or planning a road trip, you're going to have a very loud, very well-fed, very enjoyable and very full weekend.

See you there? I hope so!

(Now I'm going to find some food. No poodles involved... yet.)