Free Outdoor Concerts – Music to Your Ears

Summer is great for a lot of reasons. Golf, swimming, bicycling, backyard barbecues – name your fun.

To top it off, there’s nothing like a summer evening enjoying live music under the stars – especially when it’s free.

Music just sounds better outdoors. There’s a festival effect to the experience – you can actually feel the music amid the fresh air and warm breezes.

If that sounds like your kind of fun, the Fox Valley Park District is going to make your summer. During the next seven weeks, the Park District and presenting sponsor BMO Harris Bank will stage six free Concerts in the Park at various parks – all at no charge.

Each show is a come-as-you-are affair. Simply head to the park with a blanket or a couple lawn chairs, set up a fan station and get your groove on.

Concerts are on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The fun begins tonight (June 14). Shows at Montgomery Park are collaborative partnerships with the Village of Montgomery and include additional activities. Here’s the lineup of bands:

Yorkville Big Band

June 14 at McCullough Park
Truly a big band, the 21-member Yorkville Big Band belts out patriotic music and other perennial favorites that are always well-received and appreciated by equally big crowds.

Smokin’ Gunz

June 21 at Montgomery Park

Smokin’ Gunz is a Top 40 country band whose members hail from the suburbs. Their concerts are the equivalent of a country music dance party – so maybe you won’t need that chair! A professional instructor will provide free line dance lessons from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to get you warmed up.

Saturday June Band

July 5 at Montgomery Park
Saturday June Band has performed at Chicagofest, Taste of Chicago, Arlington Race Track, Navy Pier, the Park West and Ravinia as well as for the White Sox and Bulls. The band plays covers and originals with an infectious enthusiasm that will make concert-goers get up and groove. Free ice cream sundaes – courtesy of the Village of Montgomery – will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Jonathan Devin and New Country

July 19 at Montgomery Park
Playing the latest line-dancin', boot-scootin' country, Jonathan Devin and New Country belt out country hits from Hank Williams and George Jones to Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash – along with rock-and-roll oldies that include some southern rock classics. Tickets for a Fay’s BBQ dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. are available for $12 from the Village of Montgomery.

Aurora American Legion Band

July 26 at McCullough Park

Set amid the stately oaks and the riverside setting of McCullough Park, the American Legion band will be performing for its 74th year of service. The band is an eclectic mix featuring all ages – veterans, non-veterans and student musicians – playing patriotic, classical and popular music.

August

Aug. 2 at McCullough Park
A local favorite, August delivers horn-driven rock ’n’roll with a balance of soul, rhythm and blues and hint of jazz. In 2010, the band released a highly acclaimed CD entitled Second Time Around. Onstage, the 13-member band provides a unique, visually impressive experience that fans will vividly remember.

Jeff Long is the public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District. Contact him at jlong@fvpd.net.

Fox Valley Park District
Upcoming Events

Thursday, June 14: Free Concert in the Park – Yorkville Big Band – at McCullough Park, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 16: Phillips Fest, Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center, noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday, June 16: Vintage Baseball Game and free Ice Cream Social at Blackberry Farm, 1 p.m.
Sunday, June 17: Father’s Day at Blackberry Farm, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music at 1 p.m.
Thursday, June 21: Free Concert in the Park – Smokin’ Gunz – at Montgomery Park, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 24: Tractor Show at Blackberry Farm, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Monday, June 25: Golf for Kids Benefit Golf Outing – tee times still available – Orchard Valley Golf Course.