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Cultural Arts

 

In 2008 we expanded to 16 free concerts at four sites!

 

7:30 - 9:00 p.m.       Free admission

Six Thursdays at James Park - June 12 to July 24, 2008 (no concert July 3)

Two Tuesdays at Harbert Park - June 17 and July 1, 2008

Two Tuesdays at Twiggs Park - June 24 and July 8, 2008

Six Tuesdays at Dawes Park - July 22 to August 26, 2008

 

Photo of Alfonso Ponticelli with a flamenco dancerEach year, the Starlight Concert Series presents an amazing array of music for the whole family. From the traditional to the innovative, these concerts present an eclectic mix of musical genres and the most exciting talents from Chicagoland and far beyond!

 

Note: We're happy to announce that Robbie Fulks will perform August 19, following the cancellation by a previously-announced performer.

 

Alfonso Ponticelli (above, left) will perform on August 5 at Dawes Park.

 

2008 Series Lineup

June 12

James Park

Cordero

Blazing blend of Latin and rock music, “mixing the open atmospherics of the Southwest with the gritty feel of the Brooklyn art scene” (New York Times)

www.corderomusic.com

June 17

Harbert Park

Bob Stroger

Legendary bassist performing old-time Chicago blues of Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers

www.myspace.com/bobstroger
 

June 19

James Park

Tom Schraeder & His Ego

"Sophisticated melodies and arrangements and surprisingly insightful and world-weary lyrics," one of the Chicago Sun-Times' Ten to Watch in 2008

www.myspace.com/tomschraeder

 

June 24

Twiggs Park

Baby Alright

Funky soul covers by Marvin Tate's all-star collective

www.myspace.com/clownspit

 

June 26

James Park

Wanda Jackson & the Lustre Kings

The First Lady of Rockabilly infused "a woman's intuition into the boys' club of early rock & roll" (Rolling Stone)

www.wandajackson.com

 

July 1

Harbert Park

Lamajamal

Gypsy surf music influenced by the traditions of the Middle East, North and West Africa, and the Balkans

www.lamajamal.com

 

July 8

Twiggs Park

Lynne Jordan & the Shivers

A skilled R & B songstress and riveting performer who oozes theatrical flair and soulful intensity

www.lynnejordan.com

 

July 10

James Park

JT and the Clouds

Midwest roots rock with a touch of Memphis soul

www.jtandtheclouds.com

 

July 17

James Park

The Hoyle Brothers

Gear-Jammin’ Honky-Tonk from a Chicago favorite!

http://hoylebrothers.com/

 

July 22

Dawes Park

Nicole Mitchell Quartet

"On her way to becoming one of the greatest living flutists in jazz" (Chicago Reader)

www.nicolemitchell.com

 

July 24

James Park

Reggae Cowboys

West Indies meets Wild Wild West! A seamless blend of reggae and old country guitar

www.reggaecowboys.com
 

July 29

Dawes Park

Ken Arlen Orchestra

Fifteen-piece band combines four amazing vocalists with 11 musicians, including bandleader/saxophonist Arlen

www.arlenmusic.com

 

August 5

Dawes Park

Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan

Jubilant swing of early jazz with the feisty passion of gypsy music

www.swinggitan.com

 

August 12

Dawes Park

Bakelite 78

Vaudeville, Tin Pan Alley, American folk songs, mountain music and early jazz brought back to life

www.bakelite78.com

 

August 19

Dawes Park

Robbie Fulks

Chicago's favorite insurgent country hero

robbiefulks.com

 

August 26

Dawes Park

Buster Keaton Silent Movie Night

David Drazin performs new scores for silent classics One Week and Sherlock, Jr. www.kendavies.net/daviddrazin

 

Sherlock, Jr. was included in Time magazine's ALL-TIME 100 best films!

 

 

Park locations:

James Park, Dodge Ave. at Mulford (S. of Oakton)

Harbert Park (E. of Canal and just S. of Dempster St.)

Twiggs Park, Simpson St. at Dodge Ave.

Dawes Park, Sheridan Rd. at Church St. (at the lagoon)

 

Photo of Nicole Mitchell, who will perform July 22

Rain Site: The Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave., Evanston will be the rain site for Dawes Park and James Park concerts. Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St., Evanston will be the rain site for Twiggs Park and Harbert Park concerts. If rain threatens, call the Special Events hotline at 847/448-8058 after 4:00 p.m. for a rain site update.

 

Nicole Mitchell, at left, will perform on Tuesday, July 22 at Dawes Park.

 

 

 

 

Evanston Starlight Concerts are presented by the City of Evanston’s Cultural Arts Division and are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

 

 

2008 sponsors:

 

City of Evanston logoIL arts council logoChicago Public Radio logofirst bank logo

 

Chicago Reader logoQuince at the Homestead logo

Evanston RoundTable logoHomestead logo