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.
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.
Thurs. June 16 Ezra Furman & the Harpoons
James Park Evanston indie rock favorites
Tues. June 21 Maja Rios
Harbert Park Jazz vocalist with organ trio
Thurs. June 23 Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials
James Park Chicago blues slide guitar hero
Tues. June 28 JT and the Clouds
Bent Park Roots rock with a touch of Memphis soul
Thurs. June 30 Mucca Pazza
James Park Astounding circus punk marching band
Thurs. July 7 Beatle Brothers
James Park Celebrate Ringo Starr’s 71st birthday!
Thurs. July 14 Taj Weekes & Adowa
James Park Socially conscious grooves from Jamaica
Tues. July 19 Sanctified Grumblers
Harbert Park Jug band fuses old country and early jazz
Thurs. July 21 Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls
Twiggs Park Jazz influenced by Afro-pop, funk, and ska
Tues. July 26 Melanie (sponsored by First Bank & Trust)
Dawes Park Famed singer of Brand New Key, Candles in the Rain
Thurs. July 28 Expo 76
Brummel Park Impeccable selection of one-hit wonders and dusties
Tues. Aug. 2 Ken Arlen Orchestra
Dawes Park Chicago’s leading dance band
Tues. Aug. 9 Ami Saraiya & the Outcome
Dawes Park Worldly staging of folk punk and jazz cabaret
Thurs. Aug. 11 Akasha
Twiggs Park Reggae grooves and soulful vocal harmonies
Tues. Aug. 16 Canasta
Dawes Park Majestic orchestral indie rock
Tues. Aug. 23 TBA. Dawes Park