Chicago’s Waco Brothers, Starlight Concert Series veterans, played before an appreciative crowd of more than 300 at James Park as the first of 16 scheduled shows in parks across Evanston. Voted as a favorite in Starlight surveys, said Jeff Corey, the City’s Cultural Arts Director, the Waco Brothers brought their particular brand of alt-country punk to the base of “Mount Trashmore” on a perfect late spring evening.
Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, took the stage to welcome the audience just before the music began. Dozens of children played around the stage and up and down the mountain, dancing and kicking balls in and among the picnickers as a welcome breeze buffeted band and crowd alike.
The free concert series continues most Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 21. The show on June 19 was a Juneteenth celebration featuring local hip hop artists T-Dot, Da G-Twinz, Slique and TL Williams at Harbert Park on Dempster just east of McCormick. Music begins around 7 p.m. and continues until about 9:30.
The series returns to James Park on June 21 for JT and the Clouds, then moves to Bent Park for another Starlight veteran, Expo ’76, on June 26.
June 21: JT and the Clouds, James Park
June 26: Expo ‘76: Covers of dusties
& one-hit wonders, Bent Park
June 28: Western Elstons: Western
swing & honky-tonk, James Park
July 10: The O’My’s with The Loneliest
Funk: Soul, hip-hop and blues,
Twiggs Park
July 12: ? and the Mysterians: Garage
rock legends, James Park
July 17: Paul Green School of Rock:
Kids cover classic rock, Harbert Park
July 19: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn
Band: country blues, James Park
July 24: Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing
Gitan: Gypsy jazz, Dawes Park
July 26: Andrew Williams & the
Goldstars: Down & dirty R&B,
Brummel Park
July 31: Ken Arlen’s Indigo: Contemp-
orary dance hits, Dawes Park
August 7: Taj Weekes & Adowa: Reggae
from St. Lucia, Dawes Park
August 9: South Boulevard with Impres-
sions of MJ: Blues rock, Twiggs Park
August 14: Musikanto: Experimental
folk troubadour, Dawes Park
August 21: Archie Powell & the Exports:
Power pop, Dawes Park