Gather 'round, children! Let Old Rock Scenester tell you a story. Once upon a time, I had to go to Chicago, Kansas City or Columbia to see decent shows. (It goes without saying that I walked there, uphill both ways, through the snow, barefoot.) But that was before the Bluebird stormed into town and established itself as a venue capable of attracting bands that would otherwise skip over the city. Why, this year alone, the venue (located between downtown and midtown, connected to Beffa's Restaurant) has hosted shows by UK electro-sasses the Ting Tings; established indie-pop acts such as Mates of State and Nada Surf; and noisemongers A Place to Bury Strangers and HEALTH. And heck, this tally isn't even counting the regional bands that swing through or numerous local shows — including biggies like An Under Cover Weekend and Gentleman Auction House's CD-release show. Whew, it's enough to make me want to revisit my Rocket Bar(fly) days. In fact, I wonder where my Jawbreaker T-shirt is....