Above / Despite rain, the Naperville Municipal Band is always triumphant on Thursday nights!
Under the direction of Conductor Ron Keller with entertaining narration by Ann Lord, the Naperville Municipal Band continued its 2017 Summer Concert Series in Central Park at 7:30PM Thursday evening, June 29.
The annual Independence Day concert titled “Salute to America,” featuring the 1812 Overture, attracted a dedicated audience despite the anticipated downpour. Keller rearranged the program slightly to accommodate re-enactors that portrayed militia from the Revolutionary War.
Complete with cannons as well as other memorable songs and marches, the annual patriotic concert pays tribute to July 4, 1776, when 56 members of the Continental Congress representing 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence.
Central Park was brightened by a shining sea of umbrellas in the pouring rain. And what a blast!
PHOTO GALLERY / Click any rainy photo to enlarge.
[shareprints gallery_id=”75738″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”0″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]The drawing sponsor for the fourth Naperville Municipal Band Concert of the season was Two Bostons Pet Boutique, with two locations in Naperville. The Bake Sale host was the Naperville Area AAUW.
After the concert Dee DeGroh wrote on Facebook, “Awww, they even set off the cannons! I’m so sorry I didn’t go. I hear it rained, lightly, but people were soaked with the steadiness. And the band played on!!! I shoulda, woulda, coulda!!!”
Band member Cathy Steinbach added, “Yes, we played the entire concert except for two pieces. When we have an audience that’s willing to sit out there with umbrellas, we play the concert!!! We have the GREATEST AUDIENCE IN THE WORLD!!! Thank you to all who were there!”
For 53 years, the award-winning Naperville Municipal Band has been under the musical direction of Conductor Ron Keller.
Central Park is located at 104 E Benton Ave. in downtown Naperville, behind U.S. Bank, northeast of Washington St. and Jefferson Ave., in downtown Naperville.
Remaining 2017 Schedule / 7:30PM Thursdays
July 6 – 5th Concert – A Latin Festival – Conducted by Guest Director Emily Binder
Drawing Sponsor: Catch 35 Restaurant / Bake Sale: Lizzy’s Fund
July 13 – 6th Concert – NMB Big Band
Drawing Sponsor: BBM Inc. / Bake Sale: Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley
July 20 – 7th Concert – The Ringlings & The Circus
With Special Guest Andy Glover
Drawing Sponsor: Positively Naperville / Bake Sale: ClaySpace
July 27 – 8th Concert – A Hot Time in the Old Town
Drawing Sponsor: Braconi’s Restaurant / Bake Sale: Naperville Noon Lions Club
Aug. 3 – 9th Concert – Music to My Ears
Drawing Sponsor: BBM Inc. / Bake Sale: Naperville YMCAs
Aug. 10 – 10th Concert – NMB Big Band, Joint Jazz Concert under leadership of Tracy Oliver
Drawing Sponsor: Naperville Bank and Trust / Bake Sale: NNHS Girls Field Hockey
Aug. 17 – 11th Concert – School Daze
Drawing Sponsor: The Naperville Municipal Band / Bake Sale: Congregation Beth Shalom
Think dinner and the show with clear skies!
Check out the patio at Catch 35, located at 35 S. Washington at Van Buren Ave., just across from the path that leads to Central Park.
Catch 35 Naperville has created a special offer for Thursdays prior to the Naperville Municipal Band Concert. Dine at Catch 35 before the show and ask your server about the 3-course Prix Fixe Menu for only $37 and receive a complimentary bag of Catch 35 potato chips to-go for the show.
What’s more, note that Chef Eddie will be grilling on the patio, offering sample bites of menu items and passing out complimentary bags of Catch 35 seasoned potato chips, between 7 and 7:30PM every Thursday before the concerts.
Catch 35 also is sponsoring the weekly drawing during this week’s concert, when the bake sale is hosted by Lizzy’s Fund.
For more info about the rich history of the Naperville Municipal Band that dates back to 1859, visit www.napervilleband.org.
Meanwhile, plan to meet family, friends and neighbors during one of the outdoor summer concerts to experience the longest running tradition in Central Park.
And consider a visit and take-out dining in downtown Naperville.
