Date: April 18-19, 2009
Cost: $7 ($5 with postcard/any ad); $25 pre-admission Saturday 8-10 a.m.
Organizer: Chicago Independent Radio Project
What to expect: Plumber's Hall will be jam-packed with rare vinyl, CDs, DVDs, posters, crafts and independent publications.
Why to go: Chicago labels with booths include Touch and Go Records, Minty Fresh and Drag City, but that's just the tip of the musical iceberg. There will also be live entertainment from the likes of Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (4 p.m. Saturday) and DJ Ben Fasman (Gutter Butter DJs), plus a whole lotta CHIRP DJs including Centerstage's own Dan Morgridge.
Additional info: That pre-admission fee gets you unlimited access all weekend long, in addition to the early-bird period on Saturday.
The full music schedule:
Saturday
10 a.m.: DJ set by Mark Messing (Mucca Pazza)
11 a.m.: Bob Dey's Tank Engine Band
noon: Ceiling Stars
1 p.m.: DJ set by Dan Koretsky (Drag City)
2 p.m.: DJ set by Jeff Parker (Tortoise)
3 p.m.: Dreamend
4 p.m.: Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
Sunday
10 a.m.: on/off/o/no (related Detholz!)
11 a.m.: Zikr
noon: DJ set by Jake Austen (Roctober, Chic A Go Go, Goblins)
1 p.m.: DJ set by Dawson Prater (Locust Music)
2 p.m.: DJ set by Steve Krakow (Plastic Crimewave)
3 p.m.: Ben Fasman (Gutter Butter)
4 p.m.: DJ set by Mary Nisi (Toast & Jam, CHIRP record fair)