The 630 | July 2016

By
July 2016 View more

Naperville Ribfest

July 1 through July 4, Noon to 10 p.m. Daily

The 29th Naperville Ribfest, draws visitors with its family activities, award-winning rib vendors from across the country, and musical entertainment at Naperville’s Knoch Park. No Pets are allowed at Ribfest.

No outside coolers, food or beverages, with the exception of factory sealed water bottles or baby formula, can be brought inside the park. Ribfest is a fundraiser put on by the Exchange Club of Naperville to raise funds to help fight child abuse, domestic violence and to strengthen families in our local communities. In over 28 years, the Exchange Club has contributed more than $14.5 million back to the community to support this effort. Ribfest is always in need of more volunteers. The Exchange Club of Naperville welcomes anyone to join their membership who shares their vision for a better tomorrow. For more info check out www.ribfest.net.

July 1: 3 Doors Down, 7:30 p.m.

• July 2: Sister Hazel and Sheryl Crow, 7:30 p.m.

• July 3: Lee Brice, 7:30 p.m.

• July 4: Gin Blossoms headline with Tonic and Tres Moustache. Fireworks display starts at 9:30 p.m.

Lisle Eyes to The Skies Festival

July 1 to 3, 5:30 a.m. Balloon Launch, Noon to 11 p.m. Festival

One of Lisle’s most treasured events, the Eyes to the Skies Festival, is celebrating its 34th Anniversary.

In keeping with Lisle’s historic volunteer spirit, more than 300 Lisle residents now volunteer to help the event, which attracts an attendance each year of more than 70,000. Highlights include performances by nationally known musical groups, the best in local band performances, a large carnival, a 100-booth craft fair, a special children’s area, food court and of course, daily launches of hot air balloons and a balloon glow. There’s also an annual Fourth of July parade and a spectacular fireworks show each night at 9:45 p.m. The Eyes to the Skies Festival has been selected six times as one of the Country’s Top 100 Tourist Destinations by the American Bus Association and it’s been named a member of the Illinois Festival Hall of Fame. Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short Street, Lisle. For more info, visit www.eyestotheskies.org.

NMAG0716_The630_KCFullBand_2015_credit JeremyWestby_800pxSummer KC and The Sunshine Band

July 3, 7:30 p.m.

Find those bell bottoms and strap on your boogie shoes, the “Kings of Disco” hit the stage at RiverEdge Park, Aurora. Named for the band leader’s home state of sunny Florida, KC and The Sunshine Band has been getting people up and dancing for more than 43 years. Their eponymous 1975 album, containing dance-party-inducing No. 1 hits “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s The Way (I Like It)” and “Rock Your Baby,” went triple platinum and scored KC an American Music Award for Best R&B Artist. In 1977, John Travolta got his groove on to their single “Boogie Shoes” in the movie Saturday Night Fever, furthering KC’s role as the “Founder of the Dance Revolution.” And in 2002, Sunshine Band founder Harry Wayne Casey cemented his role in show business with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Whether you saw them live in the ‘70s or have just heard their upbeat, optimistic songs countless times on the radio and TV, this is a feel-good show you don’t want to miss. For this event, there will be a standing room only section located directly in front of the middle section of the stage with limited bench seating on either side of that area. Bench seating is on a first come, first served basis. No bag chairs are allowed to be set up in this area. The rest of the park is general admission for bag chairs. Bag chairs and blankets are also allowed on the grassy hill. Events at RiverEdge Park will take place rain or shine. Tickets may be purchased online, by calling 630.896.6666 or in-person at the Paramount Theatre box office at 23 E. Galena Blvd in Aurora.

NMAG0716_The630_TasteofChicago_800px36th Annual Taste of Chicago

July 6 through 10, Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Taste of Chicago is the nation’s premier outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago’s dining community. The delicious array of food served at Taste of Chicago is complemented by music and exciting activities for the entire family. Every summer since 1980, Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park on the city’s magnificent lakefront has been home to the world’s largest food festival. The Taste of Chicago has seen a surge in popularity since it was shortened to five days and added new elements, including the Celebrity Chef du Jour dining pavilion, pop-up restaurants, food trucks, culinary podcasts and chart-topping musical acts. Last year’s iconic festival served culinary delights to 1.4 million visitors and turned a profit of more than $320,000. The event contributes $106 million annually in total business activity to the Chicago economy. Free admission. Grant Park, Jackson and Columbus Streets, Chicago. For more info visit, www.cityofchicago.org.

Sidewalk Sales

July 7 through July 9

Downtown Naperville shops and restaurants will be taking it to the streets during the popular Summer Sidewalk Sales and Downtown Naperville Days. Visitors can enjoy hot deals on cool styles from downtown merchants. Visit www.downtownnaperville.com for event details and a listing of participating merchants.

17th Annual Dodgeball Days Outdoor National Championship

July 8, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Grab your friends and form a team for the 17th Annual Dodgeball Days Outdoor National Championships. Dodgeball is a safe sport played with rubber coated foam “sting free” balls. This day will be action-packed, and fun, with friendly competition. All participants will receive a t-shirt and division champs will receive prizes. Division break-outs include youth boys and girls, 4th through 8th grades. Co-Rec teams must play in the boys division. Teams may be six to 10 players with six on the field at a time. Recreation Administration Center, 23729 W. Ottawa St., Plainfield. For more info, visit www.plfdparks.org.

57th Annual Naperville Woman’s Club Fine Art Fair

July 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Naperville Woman’s Club 57th Annual Juried Art Fair will be held in the heart of Naperville on the beautiful grounds of Naper Settlement, a living history museum with historic Naperville buildings, paved pathways, lush landscaping, and convenient, nearby parking. More than 100 local and national artists will be displaying original artwork in clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, metal, painting, photography, sculpture and wood. Ribbons and cash prizes are awarded to winning artists by local judges and NWC. ClaySpace will be providing bowls and other ceramic works to be sold for charity. The donated items provided by the nonprofit art center will be specially priced and all proceeds will be donated to the local food bank. The Naperville Woman’s Club Art Fair is the longest continuously running art fair in Illinois. Activities at this event include entertainment, a silent auction, artist demonstrations, the Empty Bowl Fundraiser to benefit local food pantries, and the Petite Picasso’s Children’s Activity Tent. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Naperville Woman’s Club. Proceeds from the event help fund local charities and an art scholarship. Free admission and parking. For more info, visit www.napervillewomansclub.org.

NMAG0716_The630_DEBBY-BOONE--340x340_800pxDebby Boone

July 10, 5 p.m.

Debby Boone’s high-energy, brashly exuberant, fast-moving extrovert mood she creates is a knockout for audiences. For Ms. Boone, who’s best known for the blandly optimistic 1977 hit “You Light Up My Life,” upgrading to the hard stuff is primarily a matter of switching familial inspirations, from the pious pop of her father, Pat Boone, to the seriously swinging up-tempos and deep-blue ballads of her mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney. Boone and the brilliant musical director John Oddo pay the late diva a thoughtful and exciting compliment by reviving two arrangements from “A Touch of Tobasco,” the 1959 meeting of Clooney and mambo king Perez Prado. In 1977, Debby Boone earned instant fame when You Light Up My Life became one of the biggest songs in history, charting No.1 on Billboard for 10 straight weeks and selling in excess of 4 million albums. She received the Grammy for Best New Artist and has since received an additional seven Grammy nominations, winning two more. She has performed in many musical theater productions and is also an author of six children’s books. She continues to grow her reputation as a singer of the Great American Songbook, building on her previous release for Concord Records, Reflections of Rosemary. The album is an intimate musical portrait of her late mother-in-law, the legendary singer Rosemary Clooney, for whom Debby had great love and respect. She has recorded 13 albums. Her most recent album is a tribute to Las Vegas in the ‘60s called “Swing This.” She is currently performing music live across the country. Tickets start at $39. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main Street, St. Charles. For more information, visit www.aracadalive.com.

2016 Naperville Ale Fest

July 16, Noon to 6 p.m.

The 4th Annual Naperville Ale Fest showcases more than 200 unique beers from craft breweries around the country, live music, and food on the grounds of the Naper Settlement. Proceeds will benefit the Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society. This is a strictly 21 and older event. Everyone entering the event must present a valid government issued ID. No outside food or drink allowed. For ticket information visit, www.napervillealefest.com.

Cabernet Cabaret (CabCab) – Say My Name

July 16, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Open-air musical event features an eclectic mix of musical performers. The Cabernet Cabaret Concert Series (CabCab) takes place on the lawn of Arranmore Farm & Polo Club, 34 Rance Road, Oswego. For its fifth season opener, get personal with the most iconic names of song: Jack, Diane, Rhiannon, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Robinson and more. As always, Arranmore handpicks the most exciting, eclectic performers from Chicago’s entertainment scene to create the band for this incredible night of collaboration. For ticket information, visit www.arranmorefarmandpoloclub.com.

Naperville Municipal Band Summer Concert

Every Thursday in July, 7:30pm

The popular summer concert kicks off again this year in Naperville’s Central Park, 55 Concert Lane, Naperville.

July 7–“NMB Big Band”

June 14–“Robert Morris Night–50 years”

July 21–“First Responders”

July 28–“Something Old, Something New”

For more info visit, www.napervilleband.org.

NMAG0716_The630_Elmhurst Cycling_800pxFree Friday Evening Concerts on the Riverwalk

July 8, 15 and 22

The sounds of summer in downtown Naperville continue with live music by local artists as the annual Rollin’ on the River concerts get underway. The free performances will be held on Friday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Riverwalk Free Speech Pavilion located near the Dandelion Fountain at Jackson Avenue and Webster Street. The popular summer concert series’ schedule for July is as follows:

July 8–Dave Byron (Guitar)

July 15–School of Rock (Rock)

July 22–Elizabeth Carol K. (Acoustic/Folk/Indie)

Superior Ambulance Elmhurst Cycling Classic

July 22, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Twilight criterium racing brings a new level of thrill to this free, family-friendly spectator event. Decorate yourself, or your bike, and register for the Family Fun Bike Parade and ride a couple laps on the same course as the pros. Enjoy family fun, food, and entertainment. All surplus proceeds support community charities. Bike parade starts at 6:25 p.m., right after the professional women’s race and before the professional men’s race. Wilder Park and Elmhurst College, Elmhurst. For more info, visit www.elmhurstcyclingclassic.com.

Geneva Arts Fair

July 23 and 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Express your originality with the artwork you discover at Geneva’s nationally acclaimed outdoor gallery of juried art. More than 140 artists will show their work—from drawing, painting and sculpture to ceramics, glass, textiles and jewelry. All art is available for sale. Come for the day or stay for the weekend. Nestled in historic downtown Geneva, this popular destination has gained a renowned reputation for quality and individuality in special events. For more info visit, www.genevachamber.com.

NMAG0716_The630_PuertoRicanFest1_800pxAurora Puerto Rico Heritage Festival

July 23 and 24

It’s a two-day festival celebrating the rich heritage of Puerto Rico. Put on by the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council, the weekend features endless food vendors offering wonderful cuisine, domino competitions, traditional folk music, Puerto Rican bands, a kids’ play area, novelty vendors, Puerto Rican craftsmanship vendors and non-stop fun. And don’t forget to take in the sights and sounds of the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday, July 24. RiverEdge Park, Aurora.

Best of Naperville 2016

July 28, 5:30 p.m.

Winners of this year’s Best of Naperville Magazine Awards will be announced during an evening of fun, food, and celebration at Hotel Arista, Naperville. To vote for 40 best categories and to purchase tickets, visit www.napervillemagazine.com.

Oklahoma

July 29 to 31, August 5 to 7

North Central College presents the Rogers and Hammerstein landmark musical “Oklahoma,” directed and choreographed by Brian Lynch with musical direction by Jermaine Hill. Actors from the community will perform in six shows at 7:30 p.m. July 29 and 30 and Aug. 5 and 6, and at 2 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 7 in North Central College Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. Set in western Indian territory after the turn of the 20th century, a spirited rivalry between the farmers and cowboys sets the backdrop for the budding romance between a young cowboy, Curly, and his sweetheart, Laurie. Tickets are $18/adults and $12/students and seniors. Call 630.637.SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.