Side Street Studio Arts, in conjunction with the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Fat Cat Custom Guitars & Repair, and Rediscover Records, are excited to announce the third annual summerlong Battle of the Bands, a celebration of local and regional musicians.

Fourteen bands have filled the bracketed competition, and the battles began May 27.

The semifinals continue Friday, Aug. 5, with Steve Barnes And The Hazy Sparrow vs. The Ferns.

The audience votes to decide which band moves on to the final round. You have to be there to vote.

Doors open at 7 p.m. The first band performs at 7:30 p.m.

Performance order will be decided by a coin flip at 7 p.m. the night of the show.

All shows are all ages. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.

The final Battle between two bands will be Friday, Aug. 12, with the winner receiving more than $3,000 in prizes from Fat Cat Custom Guitars & Repair, Rediscover Records, Side Street Studio Arts, a performance spot on the main stage at annual Nightmare on Chicago Street, and more.

For details, visit www.sidestreetstudioarts.org or www.facebook.com/sidestreetstudioartselgin.