Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view!

Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer!

This week you get to meet Jim Kopeny from Chicagoist! Jim is a creative director by day, a sometime DJ at night and a music critic all of the time. He’s the Senior Arts & Entertainment Editor for Chicagoist and he occasionally appears on television and radio to talk music news and views. He’s tall and finds that comes in handy since he can catch most shows from the back of a room and not block the view of people shorter than he is. Though, if he really likes the band, sometimes he’ll move to the front. After 15 years of living in Ukrainian Village / Logan Square / Humboldt Park and the far West Side he’s finally sold out and moved to Bucktown. Sorry about that. Read his blog, his Tumblr and follow him on Twitter. The dude just never shuts up.

What do you do to beat the heat?
Crank the air and suck down New Glarus Spotted Cow. Or head to the beach figuring that if you can’t beat the heat you may as well enjoy it.

Do you have any pets?
I have a beagle named Betty that’s more famous than most of the bands I writer about and a kitten named Pickle with a major attitude. I’m also co-parent of Sasha the Cat since she moved in at the same time my girlfriend did.

If you had your own TV network what would you put on it?
Anything but reality TV or sports.

What cartoon/TV show did you watch growing up?
I grew up on steady diet of classic ’70s and ’80s Saturday morning cartoons but a combination of Looney Tunes and The Simpsons probably made the biggest impact on me.

What is your favorite Chicagoist post from the past month?
I’m pretty proud of the Guns N’ Roses review we ran a few weeks ago.

Gapers Block shares Jip Jop and JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound‘s SXSW tour diaries.

Gapers Block previews Grandeurs, coming to Empty Bottle on March 28th.

Pop ‘stache shares a list of songs to mix with your whiskey.

Pop ‘stache reviews Empty Isle’s demo.

Heave Media recaps SXSW.

Young Live shares Dave Jung’s video for Da Go.

The Dead Hub shares Yvette’s Monthly Mixer for March, the Shamrock Mint.

The Dead Hub recaps Trace Adkins at Riverside Theater.

The Dead Hub recaps the second night of Daughtry’s Break the Spell tour.

Julia Shell shares video of Raekwon at Cubby Bear last week.

The Windish Agency shares photos by GlitterGuts of their Austin or Bust SXSW party at Mohawk

The Windish Agency shares photos by GlitterGuts of their Windish Day Party at Mohawk in Austin.

The Windish Agency recaps SXSW (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4).

Stic-of-the-Week shares video for Diplo’s Hate Yourself.

Stic-of-the-Week shares their Summertime in March weekend play list.

Stic-of-the-Week shares The Shins new album, Port of Marrow, which is available for stream through iTunes.

Chicago Mixtape has a new mix out this week titled, Roll the Windows Down, featuring local artists Radar Eyes, Dirty Pigeons, Jonas Friddle & The Majority, Jennifer Hall, Old Fashioned War, the Nones, and Yawn.

Front 312’s Mr. Automatic released a new disco mix today titled, The Lighter Side of Mr. Automatic. Check it out on Soundcloud and download it here.

JBTV has Minus The Bear perform live on the JBTV HD sound stage, JBTV takes a look at Green Day’s “American Idiot: The Musical”, Brendan Kelly and Toby Jeg talk with Tom DeLonge and Angels and Airwaves at the Aragon Ballroom, Green Day hangs out with Jerry at the JBTV Studios in 1994. http://www.jbtvonline.com/episodes/minus-bear-american-idiot-musical-angels-airwaves-green-day

A/S/L_Media took photos of Stardust featuring Cassian at Berlin Chicago last Thursday.

Do312 shares photos of The Shins at SXSW.

Do312 shares photos of Wahoo’s Showcase at SXSW.

Do312 shares photos of I Blame Yoko / HeaveMedia at SXSW.

Front 312 has Modern Love – Album Sides at Bonny’s on Tuesday, March 20th.

House of Blues has The Pink Floyd Experience at House of Blues on Tuesday, March 20th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Empty Bottle has Super Minotaur (Record Release), KG Price, Cut Yourself, The Jam Band at Empty Bottle on Tuesday, March 20th. RSVP for no cover!

Beauty Bar has Timbuck2uesday Feat. DJ Timbuck2, Happy, & Boi Jeanius at Beauty Bar on Tuesday, March 20th. RSVP for Grey Goose hosted bar from 10PM – 11PM!

Do312 has 312 CAN LAUNCH at Cubby Bear on Wednesday, March 21st. RSVP for no cover at hosted 312 cans until 8:30!

Lincoln Hall has Van Hunt, Vintage Trouble at Lincoln Hall on Wednesday, March 21st. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Beauty Bar has Do312.com & Beauty Bar Present: Bargain Wave (Where New Wave and cheap ass drinks meet!) at Beauty Bar on Wednesday, March 21st. RSVP for a free Schlitz!

Double Door has Nneka, Baja, The Dry Eye Crew at Double Door on Wednesday, March 21st. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Crimson Lounge has Commonwealth Wednesday feat Claude Monnet at Crimson Lounge on Wednesday, March 21st. RSVP to get on the Do312 Presents guestlist!

JBTV has LA DISPUTE – Live Taping at JBTV Studios on Wednesday, March 21st. RSVP for a chance to win tickets!

A/S/L_Media and Jenae Williams have Average Jo w/ All the Way Kay at Berlin Nightclub on Thursday, March 22nd. RSVP for no cover ’til 11pm plus Jenae will be buying everyone beer and champagne from 10PM – 12AM (while it lasts)!

KDM has Wasted Bass w/ guest DJ So OhSixx and Pete Agusta at Evil Olive on Thursday, March 22nd.

FRONT 312 has Bella Notte – an evening of Soul, Garage, Psychedelic & Rare Groove at Three Aces on Thursday, March 22nd. RSVP for a Dewars 12 Scotch tasting from 10PM – 12AM.

Ground Lift Media has Face Melt Pre-Anniversary Showcase w/ Cutz on Cuts | Live Broadcast at Private Loft Space on Thursday, March 22nd.

Empty Bottle has TRMRS, Slushy, The Bingers at Empty Bottle on Thursday, March 22nd. RSVP for no cover!

SPACE has The Bo-Keys featuring Otis Clay & Percy Wiggins at SPACE on Thursday, March 22nd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

The Windish Agency has WMC Showcase in Miami, FL on Friday, March 23rd.

FRONT 312 has Ram Jam, an Aries Party w/ Trancid, SoOhSix, Suzanne Shelton & Front 312 at Neo on Friday, March 23rd. RSVP for no cover!

Crimson Lounge has Algorhythm Featuring REDUX at Crimson Lounge on Friday, March 23rd. RSVP to get on the Do312 presents guestlist!

Metro has Delta Spirit at Metro on Friday, March 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Elbo Room has Main Squeeze, Chris Tiritilli, Lust & Violence, Bad Saddles, Queen’s Anne’s Revenge, Brandon Bowman at Elbo Room on Friday, March 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Double Door has BJ The Chicago Kid, Lili K, Tim Million at Double Door on Friday, March 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Beauty Bar has THE RAVE: A Glow In The Dark Experience (Hosted Champagne 9pm-10pm w/ RSVP) at Beauty Bar on Friday, March 23rd. RSVP for hosted champagne from 9PM – 10PM!

Ultra Lounge has The Moses Gun, Channel Four, Audio Contentat Ultra Lounge on Friday, March 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Cobra Lounge has Anatomy of Habit, Alma Negra, Electric Hawk at Cobra Lounge on Friday, March 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

The Mid has James Murphy – La Jesus – Mr Joshua at The Mid on Friday, March 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

ACE Bar has Boom Chick – Run With It Presents at ACE Bar on Friday, March 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Ground Lift Media has Face Melt: Ill.Gates, Dj Belly, Raj Mahal at Reggie’s on Friday, March 23rd. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

NoVo Arts has Jonas Friddle & The Majority, Tangleweed, Ami Moss & the Unfortunate at The Hideout on Saturday, March 24th.

Front 312 has Paradise @ Exit w/Heaven Malone, Oscar D, Gil G, Out of Control Pete at Exit on Saturday, March 24th.

The Congress has Rebelution, The Wailers and more! at The Congress on Saturday, March 24th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Elbo Room has Ode, Wildlife City, Dead Sheriff at Elbo Room on Saturday, March 24th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Double Door has Slum Village, Aerias, Cavalier Kidd, Enigmatic, Palmer Squares, Free Ajents, Kenn Retro at Double Door on Saturday, March 24th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Empty Bottle has Night Beats, Radar Eyes, Sore Subjects at Empty Bottle on Saturday, March 24th. RSVP for no cover!

Cobra Lounge has Riot Fest Presents: The Business at Cobra Lounge on Saturday, March 24th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

JBTV has ANDREW W.K – Live Taping at JBTV Studios on Sunday, March 25th. RSVP for a chance to win tickets!

Schubas has Practice Space presents: The Kickback, Dirty Pigeons at Schubas on Monday, March 26th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

CONTESTS

Chicago’s favorite ElectroFunk trio GHOSTHOUSE is giving DJs/Producers nationwide the chance to remix their highly anticipated upcoming single ‘Stop, Drop and Roll.’ The winning remix will be featured on the digital single package being released on April 5th AND have their track released on DJ Zebo‘s label, Hot Dog Records! If that wasn’t enough, Do312 is throwing in a pair of tickets to the Spring Awakening Music Festival! Download the single, remix, upload and vote! Check it out here!

Do312, Willy Joy, Team Bayside High & Metro Present: The Moombahton Madness DJ contest!
Want to open up for Munchi, Team Bayside High and Rampage Y Nader on March 30th at the Metro? We’re looking for the best new Moombahton producers and DJs, and our favorite will be selected to play at the show! Check it out here!

Ground Lift Media is running a mix contest to help celebrate their one year anniversary! As a special addition to the FACE MELT 1 year celebration, local DJs & beat makers have been invited to submit their mixes / tracks for a chance to perform at the ill.Gates concert 3/23 @ Reggie’s (Chicago, IL). While only one can win this contest, the top 3 contestants will all get a chance to perform at the pre-anniversary showcase Thursday 3/22. Headlining will be the three man turntablist crew Cutz on Cuts, and the entire showcase will be broadcast live via the ‘Part Time Sucker Radio’ show (WNUR) as well as Cutz on Cuts Ustream channel. Check it out here!

Columbia College Chicago needs your help to determine the who gets the last slot for their Biggest Mouth showcase! Check it out here!