Starlight Concert Line-up Announced
Evanston’s own Ezra Furman & the Harpoons will open the City of Evanston’s 2011 Starlight Concert Series with a free 7:30 p.m. performance at James Park, 300 Dodge Avenue in Evanston. The Starlight Concert Series features 16 free outdoor concerts at six park locations throughout Evanston.
The urgent and explosive songs of Evanston native Ezra Furman reflect the influence of greats like Bob Dylan and Jonathon Richman. The band has garnered national attention through appearances at high-profile festivals including Lollapalooza and SXSW. “Ezra Furman & the Harpoons make rootsy rock ’n’ roll that’s fiery, fierce and, above all, honest,” says the Chicago Sun-Times.
Other performers on the Starlight Concert series include Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, circus punk marching band Mucca Pazza, and the first Chicago-area performance in more than 30 years by ’70s folk icon Melanie Safka, sponsored by First Bank & Trust.
All performances are free to the public, and will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, rain site information will be available after 4:30 p.m. on the show date by calling 847.448.8258 or 847.448.8260. Rain sites are the Levy Senior Center and Fleetwood-Jourdain Center.
Thurs. June 16 James Park
Ezra Furman & the Harpoons
Evanston indie rock favorites
Tues. June 21 Harbert Park
Maja Rios
Jazz vocalist with organ trio
plus a sneak preview of "Five Guys Named Moe"
Thurs. June 23 James Park
Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials
Chicago blues slide guitar hero
Tues. June 28 Bent Park
JT and the Clouds
Roots rock with a touch of Memphis soul
Thurs. June 30 James Park
Mucca Pazza
Astounding circus punk marching band
Thurs. July 7 James Park
Beatle Brothers
Celebrate Ringo Starr’s 71st birthday!
Thurs. July 14 James Park
Taj Weekes & Adowa
Socially conscious grooves from St. Lucia
Tues. July 19 Harbert Park
Sanctified Grumblers
Jug band fuses old country and early jazz
Thurs. July 21 Twiggs Park
Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls
Jazz influenced by Afro-pop, funk, and ska
Tues. July 26 Dawes Park
Melanie
Famed singer of Brand New Key, Candles in the Rain
sponsored by First Bank & Trust
Thurs. July 28 Brummel Park
Expo 76
Impeccable selection of one-hit wonders and dusties
Tues. Aug. 2 Dawes Park
Ken Arlen Orchestra
Chicago’s leading dance band
Tues. Aug. 9 Dawes Park
Ami Saraiya & the Outcome
Worldly staging of folk punk and jazz cabaret
Thurs. Aug. 11 Twiggs Park
Akasha
Reggae grooves and soulful vocal harmonies
Tues. Aug. 16 Dawes Park
Canasta
Majestic orchestral indie rock
Tues. Aug. 23 Dawes Park
TBA
Sponsors are The Homestead, Quince Restaurant, First Bank & Trust, Evanston RoundTable and Chicago Reader, with support from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Park locations are as follows:
James Park, Dodge Ave. at Mulford St. (S. of Oakton)
Dawes Park, Sheridan Rd. at Church St. (at the lagoon)
Harbert Park, Dempster St. at McDaniel Ave. (east of North Shore Channel)
Twiggs Park, Dodge Ave. at Simpson St.
Bent Park, Central St. at Cowper Ave.
Brummel Park, Brummel St. at Elmwood Ave.