Bingo Alive

By Stephanie Szuda

This isn’t your grandma’s game of bingo — this bingo has a rock ‘n’ roll spin.

The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, is hosting its first Rock-n-Roll Bingo event today at 8 p.m.

The $5 cover will get customers a two-hour game of bingo, followed by performances by Bachelor Party Weekend, North Polio and Melon Boat.

“The idea itself is a lot of fun,” said John Ugolini, booking agent for Kickstand Productions. “We have energetic, fun, eclectic bands.”

Host Brayton Cameron, decked in a powder blue tuxedo, will play various song clips from genres of music including indie rock, classic rock, hair metal, new wave and one-hit wonders.

“You can test your knowledge of music trivia, but at the same time have a good time,” Ugolini said.

Prizes are won by recognizing the choruses and bridges of songs and marking them on bingo boards.

The first person to call bingo will win a prize donated by local businesses, including Ax in Hand, Ellwood House Museum, Record Revolution and Unique Concepts Salon, Ugolini said.

Patty Pumfrey, owner of Unique Concepts Salon, 1963 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, said she usually donates monetary gift certificates, but is unsure what they donated for the bingo event.

“We do a lot of donations to support the community and give back to people,” Pumfrey said.

Stickers, posters and CDs were donated by Record Rev, 817 W. Lincoln Highway.

“We’ll support it if it’s successful,” said Mark Cerny, owner of Record Rev. “We’ll do whatever we can.”