I hear it every year as the last of the fireworks fade into the night on the Fourth of July, “that’s it, summer’s over.” Seemingly premature, the sentiment is repeated again and again and by August 1, many have closed the books on summer completely. I don’t know why they give up so easily – there are plenty of outdoor activities still waiting to be experienced.
Here a just are few:
Naper Settlement’s Naper Nights is still going strong and features some of the best tribute bands around. Attendees can dance under the stars to the sounds of the Allman Brothers (Soulshine at 6PM) and Zac Brown (Chicken Fried at 8PM) on Fri., Aug. 17. Planet Groove brings pop hits at 6PM on Sat., Aug. 18 and paves the way for the crowd-pleasing Bluffet, a Jimmy Buffet cover band at 8PM. Admission is $15 adults, $10 youth 4-12, members and children under 4 are free. Vendors are on site with cold drinks and great food, so bring your lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy the music.
Naperville’s Millennium Carillon holds free concerts through August 26. In addition to their Tuesday evening summer series at 7PM, weekly recitals by local carillonneurs are held on Saturdays at noon. Pops recitals are scheduled on Saturdays at 7PM and Sundays at 4PM. Pack your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic basket and head to Rotary Hill where you can take in the sounds and scenery of one of Naperville’s signature offerings.
Naperville Municipal Band has been entertaining music lovers in Central Park for over 150 years and shows no signs of slowing down. Their Thursday night summer concert series runs through August 16 and fills the park benches with fans of all ages. Local charities are selected by lottery to host the bake sale and attendees can purchase homemade goods for next to nothing. It is the cherry on top of a beautiful evening!
August 31 marks the beginning of the Last Fling, a four-day festival with all the fixings (Perhaps that should be called the “Penultimate Fling” as there is one more outdoor fest on the calendar, Naperville Art League’s celebration of the arts, the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair. Ah, but that is a column for another day!)
For more information about these and other arts and cultural activities, check out ArtsDuPage.org, your resource for all things art.
