Business & Tech
Plainfield School of Rock Plans Expansion, 'British Invasion' Concert
Students will have their first live performance this month in Bolingbrook.
It's been a little more than two months since the Plainfield School of Rock location opened its doors, but the music school is already expanding.
"We're basically bursting at the seams," owner Jason Fein said. Classes started June 11 at the business, 24026 W. Lockport St., and already more than 50 students are enrolled. School of Rock offers music programs for ages 3 to 18, as well as adults, with an emphasis on training students to perform live onstage.
With upstairs tenant The Wandering Dragon Game Shoppe getting ready to move into a new location, the downtown Plainfield business will expand into the space by the end of the month, Fein said.
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According to Fein, renovations on the second floor are set to begin as soon as Wandering Dragon relocates — which is set to happen this week. "It's going to be a whirlwind," he said.
On Sept. 21, School of Rock will host a grand opening and unveiling of the second-floor expansion from 11 to 3 p.m. Musical performances are scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Guests can hear live demos and take part in free trial lessons, Fein said.
British Invasion concerts scheduled
Students will perform their first live show Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8 at Tailgaters, 431 W. Boughton Rd. in Bolingbrook.
Fein said the young rockers range in age from 7 to 18 and, for many, it will be their first time performing live.
"It's a wide range of emotions," Fein said with a laugh, noting some students are eager to take the stage, while others are a bit nervous.
During the "British Invasion"-themed show, students will perform music by artists whose sound took the U.S. by storm in the mid-1960s, from the Beatles and Rolling Stones to The Animals, The Who and The Monkees.
On Sunday, Gary Loizzo of The American Breed will join School of Rock students to perform his band's big hit, "Bend Me, Shape Me," Fein said. Loizzo is also a producer who has worked extensively with Styx and REO Speedwagon.
Fein said reaction from students to the "British Invasion" theme has been mixed, considering that, for the most part, the songs were recorded before their parents were even born.
"I would say it's probably 50/50," he said. "Some of them were singing along, some of them had no idea," Fein added with a laugh.
The Saturday show starts at 4 p.m., while the Sunday night show is at 6 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at School of Rock for $5 each; they can also be purchased at the door for $10.
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