Music networking night, 3/1 at Double Door

Sonicbids is hosting a Chicago music networking night - dubbed "A Spring Fling Networking Thing" - Monday, March 1 at Double Door (1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.). The event will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and feature Sonicbids founder Panos Panay (pictured to the right) as well as Summerfest festival promoter David Silbaugh. Panay will offer advice to bands on what steps they can take to find success through their music, while Silbaugh will provide tips on applying to play this year's fest. If that weren't enticing enough, free beer and pizza will be up for grabs.

The event comes on the heels of a new partnership between Sonicbids and the City of Chicago in which Sonicbids will serve as the city's talent pool for booking bands for festivals such as the Taste of Chicago.

Recently, five Chicago bands scored slots at next month's South by Southwest festival in Austin by appling via their Sonicbids accounts. The acts include Psalm One, Stephanie Nilles, Willy Joy, Light Pollution and Joe Pug.