Oak Lawn concert series strikes a chord
BY REBECCA SUSMARSKI rsusmarski@southtownstar.com June 15, 2012 11:56PM
Residents gather for a free concert May 27 in Oak Lawn. | Rebecca Susmarski~Sun-Times Media
Upcoming
concerts
June 24: Hillbilly RockStarz (country)
July 8: The Dancing Noodles (R&B cover band)
July 22: Five Guys Named Moe (classic rock-n-roll)
Aug. 5: The Crawpuppies (rock/alternative/power pop)
Aug. 19: CTA-Chicago Tribute Anthology (Chicago tribute band), plus fireworks
Updated: July 18, 2012 6:01AM
Lawn chairs and blankets were spread across the Oak Lawn Village Green, occupied by people of all ages and from various towns.
A Boy Scout troop served hot dogs, pop and other refreshments, and Network, a rock-and-soul band, played classic tunes such as “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Here Comes my Baby.”
Oak Lawn’s Sunday Night Concerts recently returned, kicking off a summer series that features a concert starting at 7 p.m. every other Sunday through Aug. 19.
About 400 people attended the May 27 season debut.
“It’s nice to get out and see people you probably haven’t seen all winter long,” said Kathy Eckert, 47, of Hickory Hills, who was there with her husband Joe.
The village has hosted seven concerts per summer since 2005.
“The best part is that they’re free,” said Del Nuzzo, 49.
Perhaps it was no surprise that Nuzzo, a bus driver, said his favorite act is CTA. The Chicago tribute band plays Aug. 19.
For Judy Hetzel, 60, variety is what counts.
“I like all the different bands they have,” Hetzel said. “I haven’t really come across a band where I’ve said, ‘Oh, I didn’t like them.’ They’ve all been really good.”
The village also hosts free movie nights on a number of Fridays during the summer, beginning at dusk. To view the schedule, visit www.oaklawn-il.gov/Left-Menu/Special-Events-%281%29/Summer-Concerts-%281%29.aspx.
Kathy and Joe Eckert like the concerts best, appreciating how live music attracts the community.
“Just look,” Eckert said as people filled the Village Green. “The concert’s already started and people are still coming.”
Oak Lawn Trustee Cynthia Trautsch said the season’s first concert was her first at the Village Green, which is just north of the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 Raymond Ave.
“I think we as a society need these,” Trautsch said, “only because you tend to be so busy in your everyday life that you forget to relax.”
The next concert is at 7 p.m. June 24.
