Much to my listening pleasure, about 15 musical acts performed during Skokie’s Backlot Bash last weekend. A three-day event, Backlot Bash features a carnival, 5K run, classic films, an auto show and more, with live music my favorite part.

Backlot Bash pays homage to Skokie’s heritage as a silent movie backlot by featuring modern-day entertainment. From 1907–17, Chicago’s Essanay Film Manufacturing Company was one of the country’s motion picture giants. Resembling an old prairie town, Skokie was often used for shooting westerns. Downtown Skokie was also featured in scenes on television’s Leave It to Beaver.

My usual routine is to sample a few foods and watch a band or two. Then I get some food to go and listen to the rest from my balcony a block away.

My weekend started Friday night with musician Henry Hyland. A faculty member at Old Town School of Folk Music, Hyland put on a great one man show. After following him for a while, I finally got to see him live.

Sunday always belongs to Tributosaurus. A popular area band, Tributo is a tribute band. They don’t just cover other bands; they become other bands. I have seen them many times but never as the same band. Closing out the Bash on Sunday, they became The Kinks, which caused me to alter my routine and watch them live.

— John Wroblewski, online writer