In this episode of Car Con Carne, host James VanOsdol sits down with Ron Onesti of Onesti Entertainment (OShows.com). For decades, Ron has been a fixture of the Chicago-area music scene, booking hundreds of shows a year at the historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles and transforming the century-old Des Plaines Theatre into an entertainment hub.

James and Ron dive into:

• Saving Historic Venues: The stories behind reviving century-old local landmarks and turning them into bustling community centers.
• The Chicago Concert Business: Navigating the most competitive live music market in the country, radius clauses, and how personal relationships keep major acts coming back.
• The Full Experience: How Ron intertwines live rock, speakeasy culture, vintage pinball, and authentic Italian dining (including the new Rock ‘N Ravioli) to give audiences a complete night out.
• What’s Next: The upcoming centennial celebration of the Arcada Theatre, new projects on Harlem Avenue, and keeping the spirit of classic rock alive.

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