The 630 | June 2016

By Naperville Magazine
June 2016 View more 630

photo courtesy Naperville Park District

Naperville Park District Barn Farewell Celebration

June 4, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A familiar place, such as the Barn Recreation Center, calls for a special send off, a celebration of its unique history and of the people who helped make it a special place for kids and adults. The Barn Farewell Event on June 4 is a party for all generations. Thanks to a number of generous sponsors, the event will include free food for the first 250 guests catered by Belgio’s, a commemorative cup for the first 400 guests, water and soda, inflatables for kids, raffle prizes and other giveaways. In keeping with the Barn’s early tradition of hosting teen dances and local rock bands, the celebration will include performances by three local bands. In addition to enjoying live music and refreshments, guests will be able to travel down memory lane inside the Barn, viewing photographs, memorabilia, and a video history by NCTV-17. A number of special guests plan to be present, including George Bussey, one of the Naperville Central High School students who led the fundraising campaign to build the Barn. Several staff members from Naper Settlement will be on hand to comment on the history of the Barn, and those who have experienced the Barn as youth or adults throughout its history are encouraged to gather and share memories. In early July, site work will begin for a new maintenance facility at Knoch Park and the Barn Recreation Center will be demolished. 421 W. Martin Ave. in Knock Park.

All In For Autism

June 4, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Naperville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #42 presents “Casino Night,” an evening of food, friends and fundraising to benefit Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. The evening will showcase a Casino Royale feel of gaming, entertainment, silent auction and recognition for Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. Hotel Arista, 2139 City Gate Lane, Naperville. For more info visit, www.allinfop42.org.

Annual G.L.O.W. 5K

June 4, 8:15 p.m.
Hundreds of runners will chase the moon during Naperville’s only night race, the G.L.O.W. 5K at 5th Avenue and Plank Road. Hosted by the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy, the 5K run/walk supports the Naperville community’s commitment to literacy, fitness and family. As their only fundraiser, all race proceeds go directly to the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy to acquire and distribute resources that provide enriched literacy opportunities for learners within the Naperville community through their annual grant program. The 2016-17 grant recipients will be announced before the G.L.O.W. 5K on June 4, at 8:15 p.m. Both students and teachers in Naperville 203 have benefitted from the annual grants. In 2014, Scott Elementary School received funding for “Family Fun with Reading- Empowering Families of ‘At-Risk’ Students” and River Woods Elementary received funding for “River Woods Reads- A Bilingual Family Literacy Program.” Since 1996, the fund has awarded over $350,000 in grants to private and public schools in Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204. Additionally, the fund provides annual support to the Jeanine Nicarico DuPage County Children Advocacy Center in Wheaton. For more information on the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy, or to register for the G.L.O.W. 5K, visit www.nicaricoliteracyfund.org.

Mid-American Canoe & Kayak Race

June 5, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This popular canoe and kayak race is for paddlers of all ages and abilities, featuring 11 canoe divisions, eight kayak divisions, and one open (non-competitive) division. This event is for everyone from the ultra-competitive, experienced river runners to young families and newbies just wanting to enjoy a memorable paddling experience on the Fox River.

• Canoe and kayak rental discount packages—just show up and your boat is waiting and gets picked up afterward.
• Free shuttle service between the start and finish lines including a large-capacity school bus for greater service.
• T-shirt, goodie bag and lunch included with registration. Group discounts available for large families, scouts and school organizations. Free admission to the Party in the Park at McCullough Park following the event.
• Two races to choose from: St. Charles Race (10 miles, approximately 1.5 to 3 hours) or the Batavia Race (6 miles, approximately 50 minutes to 1.5 hours).

Paddlers who have pre-registered can pick up their t-shirt, goodie bag, wrist band and boat number sticker at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora, on Friday, June 3, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. or Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You may also wait until race day; boat numbers will be given to you at the start area, and the other items (t-shirt, goodie bag, lunch ticket) will be waiting for you at the finish area. McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois, Aurora. For more info, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

photo by Robyn Sheldon

A Chair Affair

June 9, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bridge Communities presents its third edition of A Chair Affair, a unique opportunity to appreciate and celebrate beautiful artwork through the transformation of chairs, stools and benches. Three weeks prior to the event, the chairs will be on display at retail locations in downtown Naperville, where the community is encouraged to visit, view, and vote for these fun, whimsical, funky and avant-garde chairs. These beautiful pieces of artwork showcase the creative talent of local artists and are supported by generous sponsors who made this event possible. Friends of Bridge Communities will enjoy an exciting evening of delicious food and cocktails, a silent auction, and a high-energy live auction of the top 10 People’s Choice chairs selected by your vote. The 2015 People’s Choice Award winner with the highest number of votes was Debbie Graham and her masterpiece, “Inspiration from the Heart.” All proceeds from the event directly support homeless families in DuPage County in the Bridge Communities Transitional Housing Program. Wentz Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. For tickets and more info, visit www.bridgecommunities.org.

Loaves & Fishes Day Without Hunger

June 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The 9th annual Day Without Hunger celebration, presented by BMO Harris Bank, will take place at the Loaves & Fishes facility in Naperville, 1871 High Grove Lane. This year they are celebrating our community’s children and the positive strides we’ve made to reduce child hunger in the area. Day Without Hunger is filled with a variety of activities for all ages. The event begins at 11 a.m. with children’s activities, interactive facility tours, live entertainment and incredible food which will continue until 7 p.m. Best of all, it is all free. For more information visit loaves-fishes.org.

Naperville Municipal Band Summer Concert

Thursday’s in June, 7:30 p.m
The popular summer concert kicks off again this year in Naperville’s Central Park, 55 Concert Lane, Naperville.

• June 9 – “Curtain Up” – Scholarship winners announced
• June 16 – “A European Vacation”
• June 23 – “Game Day!”
• June 30 – “America the Beautiful” (1812 Overture)

For more info visit, www.napervilleband.org.

Relay For Life Naperville

June 17 through 18, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The Opening Ceremony brings everyone together for a high-energy kickoff event that celebrates the lives of those who have battled cancer and reminds us all that while we are winning this battle and that fighting cancer is an ongoing battle. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and the shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people. If cancer has touched your life, participating in a Relay For Life event is a way to take action and help finish the fight. This is an opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember those you have lost, and raise funds and awareness to fight back and help end cancer forever. Following the Opening Ceremony, cancer survivors and caregivers will take the first lap around the track at 6:30 p.m. At the candlelight Luminaria Ceremony at 10 p.m., organizers remember loved ones lost to cancer, support people who currently have cancer, and honor people who fought cancer in the past. It’s a powerful part of the event because it provides an opportunity for people to work through grief and find hope. At 5:45 a.m. participate in the Closing Ceremony – a time to remember the lives of those lost, and to commit to continuing the fight against this disease over the next year. Naperville North High School, 899 Mill Street, Naperville. For more info call 630.932.1141.

photo courtesy RiverEdge Park

Blues on the Fox Festival

June 17, 7 p.m.
June 18, 3 p.m.
What started as a street fair in 1996 exploded into a colorful, world-renowned festival, drawing blues fanatics from around the globe to appreciate the genre’s soul, grit and power. This summer, the Blues on the Fox Festival celebrates 20 years of red-hot blues legends like BB King, Buddy Guy and Mavis Staples rockin’ in Aurora. This year, it’s more than just a two-day-long party. It’s a celebration of where the blues have been, where the blues are, and where the blues are going. Marcia Ball brings her musical gumbo of Tex-Mex flavor, swampy Louisiana beats and wild piano playing to kick off the Blues on the Fox double bill Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m. The soulful blues rockers The Robert Cray Band take the stage at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 18 kicks off at 3 p.m. with Leland, a band created to pay tribute to the Fox Valley’s blues roots and the blues staples recorded in downtown Aurora’s Leland Hotel in the 1930s. Blues guitar master Larry McCray plays at 5 p.m., with East L.A. rockers Los Lobos at 7 p.m. Festival closers Blues rock supergroup Tedeschi Trucks Band, led by husband-and-wife duo Derek Trucks—slide guitarist from The Allman Brothers Band—and guitarist/vocalist Susan Tedeschi, close the fest starting at 9 p.m. Get set for a weekend of sizzlin’ blues music, cold beer, tasty festival food and a good time, all overlooking the Fox River. Call the RiverEdge box office, 630.896.6666, or stop by in-person at RiverEdge’s satellite box office, the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday–Saturday. The RiverEdge box office will also be open on-site on event days for day-of sales, beginning at noon. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Street, Aurora.

photo courtesy RiverEdge Park

Kool & The Gang with Thomas McClary of the Commodores

June 24, 7:30 p.m.
In over four decades, Kool & the Gang has sold more than 70 million albums worldwide, won two Grammy’s and seven AMA’s, racked up 31 gold and platinum albums and scored a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You won’t be able to stay in your seat when these music royals rock the Fox with hits including “Celebration,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Get Down On It.” To add to the good times, Motown icon and founder of the Commodores Thomas McClary is bringing his legendary Motown sound along. With writing partner Lionel Richie, McClary is responsible for some of the biggest dance hits ever, including “Brickhouse” and “Too Hot to Trot” and ballads like “Easy.” RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway Street, Aurora.

photo courtesy Arcada Theatre

Michael Bolton

June 28, 7:30 p.m.
Michael Bolton, the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and social activist, who has sold more than 53 million albums and singles worldwide, continues to tour the world every year, all while writing, recording and taping for a wide array of projects spanning music, film, television and theater. Bolton remains committed to humanitarian causes, especially through the Michael Bolton Charities as well as other social and political organizations. Known for his soulful voice and poignant lyrics, his timeless style, charm and good looks have also earned him a spot in several “People Magazine’s Sexiest Man” issues, including 2012’s “Sexiest Man Alive.” He most recently became a viral sensation for featuring in The Lonely Island’s hugely popular, “Captain Jack Sparrow” video that launched on Saturday Night Live and was performed live on the Emmy’s. In recognition of his artistic achievements, Bolton won two Grammy’s for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance (nominated four times), six American Music Awards, and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As a songwriter, he has earned over 24 BMI and ASCAP Awards, including Songwriter of the Year, 9 Million-Air awards, and the Hitmakers Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Internationally renowned, Bolton has recorded and performed with musical icons that have inspired and influenced his own career. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main Street, St. Charles. For more info, www.oshows.com.