- Credibility:
LINCOLN SQUARE — The Welles Park free gazebo concert series kicks off Tuesday evening with a performance for children by Laura Doherty and the Heartbeats.
Tuesday’s performance begins at 6:30 p.m. and will last for about an hour with no intermission.
The schedule for the event normally is set in spring, but park advisory council members had to wait to get the green light on hosting outdoor events before they could start booking acts.
“We’ve done this for many, many years and usually start booking artists for this in March. But this year we just kept waiting for the park district to give us the go ahead to host these kinds of outdoor events,” said Sarah Dandelles, a member of the park’s advisory council.
All performances start at 6:30 p.m. at the gazebo unless otherwise noted. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating or blankets, to use reusable containers and to help clean up the park after the the performance.
For more information on the concert series and to learn more about how to volunteer with the advisory council click here.
“Chicago has an incredible music scene of supremely talented but down-to-earth musicians that we are so lucky to work with on this and every year’s Gazebo series,” Dandelles said. “The fact that we could put this together in record time is in huge thanks to their grace and willingness to do fun neighborhood shows like this.”
Below is the current lineup.
July 13 — Laura Doherty and the Heartbeats
Laura Doherty is a Chicago-based performer who plays breezy folk-pop tunes from her Parent’s Choice award-winning CDs.
Credit: Provided.July 20 — Casey McDonough and Nora O’Connor
Casey McDonough joined his first band at age six and never really looked for anything else. The multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter has been a part of the raucous rock, jazz, R&B band NRBQ since 2012, The Western Elstons, and is a frequent collaborator of Phil Angotti.
Nora O’Connor has toured internationally as a singer in Iron and Wine, and continues to record and perform with longtime collaborator Andrew Bird and tour with The Decemberists. She’s also been featured as a back-up vocalist for Kelly Hogan’s “I Like To Keep Myself In Pain” and Mavis Staples’ Grammy Award-winning album “You Are Not Alone.”
McDonough and O’Connor are members of Chicago’s The Flat Five.
July 27 — TBD
Credit: Provided.Aug. 8 — Porchlight Theater’s “Broadway in Your Backyard”
This 90-minute performance of Broadway songs celebrates family, friends, community and inspiration. “Broadway in your Backyard” is suitable for all ages.
Aug. 10 —Toddlers, Tunes, and Turtles (event begins at 5:30 p.m.)
For the youngest park explorers, this outdoor nature program encourages families to enjoy the park together. Re-envisioned for safety and social distancing in 2021, this program will feature loose parts for nature play, early childhood activities and more.
In accordance with Be Safe Chicago Guidelines for Parks and Recreation Activities, participants are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing at all times. Patrons who are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to stay home.
Aug. 17 — Hawk Colman, Jack Dolan and Shane Prewitt
Credit: Provided.Although the project officially started during the pandemic, Hawk Colman had been writing, recording, and improvising vocals over Prewitt’s arrangements since 2018 after they bonded while working at The Hideout.
After performing a few shows as a two-piece under Prewitt’s solo project, Shazmatic, the band realized adding live bass could complete the sound. They looked to fellow Hideout coworker Jack Dolan of Twin Peaks and started rehearsing regularly in October. By playing to a wide array of synth, keyboard, and sampled backing tracks, the band is able to create atmospheres that are unexpected from a three-piece act.
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