Starlight concert schedule expanded

Offering more music at more locations, Evanston's Starlight Concert Series expands to 15 concerts at four parks for 2007.

This summer, concerts will be held at James Park, Dawes Park, Twiggs Park and Butler Park, the newest venue.

The free outdoor concerts are on select Tuesday and Thursday evenings, June 14-Aug. 21, with the music beginning at 7:30 p.m. for every concert.

Offering an eclectic mix of musical genres for all ages, the concert series kicks off with music from the mountains as the Hackensaw Boys perform Thursday, June 14, at James Park.

Other headliners throughout the summer include vocalist/songwriter Lucy Smith, the Reggae Cowboys, Texas fiddler Elana James and the Hot 8 Brass Band.

2007 Evanston Starlight Concerts:

• Thursday, June 14, The Hackensaw Boys High-energy bluegrass music, James Park.
• Tuesday, June 19, Lucy Smith Traditional jazz and blues vocalist, Butler Park.
• Thursday, June 21, Question Mark & the Mysterians Garage rock legends, James Park.
• Thursday, June 28, Dub Dis Reggae with Jamaican influences, James Park.
• Thursday, July 5, Picante Latin jazz blends with world music, James Park.
• Tuesday, July 10, Hot 8 Brass Band New Orleans-based band, Twiggs Park.
• Thursday, July 12, Gin Palace Jesters Hillbilly honky-tonk, James Park.
• Tuesday, July 17, Brute Force Music of the absurd, Dawes Park.
• Thursday, July 19, The 1900s Orchestral pop arrangements, James Park.
• Tuesday, July 24, Instant Karma Band Beatles favorites, Dawes Park.
• Tuesday, July 31, Hobex Spicy soul-funk-jazz, Dawes Park.
• Tuesday, Aug. 7, Elana James Texas fiddler, Dawes Park.
• Thursday, Aug. 9, Occidental Brothers Dance Band International Central and West African dance music, Twiggs Park.
• Tuesday, Aug. 14, Indigo Swing, contemporary & dance club hits, Dawes Park.
• Tuesday, Aug. 21, Reggae Cowboys Upbeat reggae with country guitar, Dawes Park.

James Park is at Dodge Avenue at Mulford; Dawes Park is along the lakefront, Sheridan Road at Church St.; Twiggs Park is at Simpson St. and Dodge Ave.; and Butler Park is east of Canal and just south of Dempster St. Rain sites are the Levy Center, 300 Dodge, or the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St. Up-to-date information is available at 847-448-8058.

Evanston Starlight Concerts are presented by the City of Evanston's Cultural Arts Division and are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Sponsors include the Evanston Fourth of July Association, The Homestead, Chicago Public Radio, the Chicago Reader, and the Evanston RoundTable.