Sir the Baptist, Saint Motel set to perform at Chi-Town Rising

In what Chi-Town Rising is calling “a more Chicago-centric event lineup” for its second edition, Bronzeville rapper Sir the Baptist will join Los Angeles indie pop band Saint Motel to perform at the downtown New Year’s Eve spectacular.

Replacing last year’s broadcast host, Mario Lopez, will be NBC’s “Weekend Today” co-anchor Sheinelle Jones, a Northwestern grad, and WMAQ-Channel 5 sportscaster Siafa Lewis.

Channel 5’s live coverage of Chi-Town Rising, beginning at 11:08 p.m. Dec. 31, also will air on NBC affiliates in more than 40 U.S. cities as well as the Cozi TV digital channel. In addition, Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo Chicago will be hosted by Penelope Menchaca of the dating show “12 Corazones” and reporter Maria Elena Ponticiello from WSNS-Channel 44.

The music acts (who succeed last year’s headliners, Chicago and American Authors) will perform on the Chi-Town Rising Countdown Stage in front of the Hyatt Regency Chicago along Upper Wacker Drive. They’ll be joined by baritone Jim Cornelison, known for his stirring renditions of the national anthem at Blackhawks games.

Tickets are being distributed now for free viewing areas and sold for special events at chi-townrising.com.