Every once in awhile I get a press release that makes me sit up and say THIS is why I love Chicago. Today was one of those days.
On Saturday, October 29th Vic’s Drum Shop is opening in Chicago’s Music Garage, one of the best music rehearsal facilities around. The location may be great, but even so what’s the big deal about a new drum shop, you might ask.
I’ll answer. The obvious response is that drums are just cool. I mean, who didn’t enjoy banging on anything that made noise when they were kids? You also know drummers are the coolest members of the marching band, which I can say as a former clarinetist and drum major. They somehow seem to escape that band geek-stigma because you can see them (especially those snare drummers) eventually making it on stage with thousands of screaming fans in front of them.
At Vic’s Drum Shop you’ll see drummers who’ve been there, done that. I don’t know if these guys were ever in marching band, but they’ve definitely played for throngs of raving fans. At this opening? They’re going to play for you:
- Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa)
- Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins)
- Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree)
- Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater)
- Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts)
- Todd Sucherman (Styx)
There will be food from Falafill. Drinks from Death’s Door. La Columbe is going to stop by in their vintage Citroen H-van with what’s considered some of the best coffee ever. And Vic will be giving away thousands of dollars in merchandise.
“Vic” is Victor Salazar, a Chicago drummer who’s taken his love for the art and his connections to create a world-class percussion shop. There will be, according to the press release, “800 models of drumsticks, over 1,000 different cymbals, more than 2,000 drumheads, 125 snare drums, 100 drum kits, and a vast assortment of acoustic and electronic percussion.”
It’s going to be epic.
It’s going to be free.
The opening starts at 11 and goes until 6. I will be there.
Will you?
Vic’s Drump Shop is located at 345 N Loomis
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