We are happy to report that the Black Bear Combo will provide the soundtrack to this year's Bughouse Square Debates. Their website is here:
http://www.blackbearcombo.com/
This renegade marching band from Chicago will open up the festivities on Saturday, July 28, 2007, at 12:00 PM. Live drums, a tuba...what more could you ask for?
John Williams, WGN-AM's afternoon host, will reprise his role as a Soapbox Debate Judge this year at the 2007 Bughouse Square Debates. He, and two other judges, choose the winner of the Dill Pickle Award, and present the coveted larger-than-life Dill Pickle statue.
On his program, John discusses the news of the day, sports, television programs, movies, books, and, on occasion, he will take calls from “Thomas Jefferson” and a cast of other historical characters.
In the annual Bughouse Square Festival at Washington Park in the Near North Side of Chicago, participants follow a tradition of public speaking at this location that dates back to World War I. The 2009 festival is sponsored by the Newberry Library, the McCormick Freedom Museum and the Poetry Foundation. This year's event is Saturday, July 25, 2009 from 1 - 4 pm. Admission is free and is located at 901 N. Clark (across the street from the Newberry Library).