VirgoFest

A night of “dirty hippies and hip-hop” is the way that Joe Landry, one of many musicians making up the second annual VirgoFest, describes this unique event. The eclectic bands featured at this year’s VirgoFest, hosted by Nightowls Records, include: The Missing City Starlight, Mary Grace Koile, Heavy Meadows and The Caravan (vocally lead by Kyle McKenna), who will be releasing their debut EP. The unique thing about VirgoFest is it’s a theatrical, curtain-staged show, emceed by Patrick Burgomaster of The Nightowls. Plus, the first 25 guests get a freebie, and there’s free ice cream.“We’re pushing the idea of a show,” says Ryan MacGrath, of The Missing City Starlight. “A collective of musicians not only interested in music, but also in entertaining.”These musicians are like a pile of in-laws that keep popping up at each other’s picnics. A few examples: Mark Bachynski drums and Mike Ritchie plays the ivories in almost all of these bands. And not only fronting her own band, Koile sings back-up vocals for MacGrath.The goal of the musicians involved in this soiree is to take an idea of a show and make it more of a showcase. There will be artwork by Burgomaster for sale, with proceeds from the art going towards different charities, designated to each painting. In addition, there will be Superfoods provided by Chocolatada. VirgoFest is not only a celebration of Virgos, but of all astrological signs. It falls on the sixth day of the ninth month. Koile’s birthday is September 6 and Bachynski’s is September 9. It’s in the stars to be a good show. “We want to align the planets,” says Bachynski. “All we need now is Genghis Khan and Mozart.” Saturday, September 6 at the North Street Church, 5657 North, 8pm, $10.