Carol Stream summer concerts bring musical variety to Town Center

Carol Stream’s 16th annual Summer in the Center concert series opens Thursday, June 6, at the Ross Ferraro Town Center, with event organizers promising a lineup of 10 concerts that will please a variety of musical tastes.

This year’s concert series will feature returning Town Center performers the Neverly Brothers, a rockabilly band that plays rock ’n’ roll and rhythm-and-blues hits from the 1950s through the British Invasion, and Pianoman, an Elton John and Billy Joel tribute band. But the rest of the schedule features performers making their first appearances at the Town Center, located at the corner of Gary Avenue and Lies Road.

“We’ve got a good mix,” said Chris Oakley, the assistant to the village manager and primary organizer of the concert series.

Oakley tries to book all bands by March 1, while the fundraising effort to pay for all of them begins in November. Oakley and Village President Frank Saverino solicited 22 local businesses to sponsor the concert series this year.

The first concert this Thursday features Rendition, a contemporary rock band that offers a “high energy” show and extensive song list, playing everything from alternative to dance, country to rock, and classic to rap, according to the band’s website.

Other Town Center concerts scheduled this summer include: 28 Days (classic rock) on June 13, Neverly Brothers on June 20, Voyage (classic rock) on July 4, Maggie Speaks (dance rock) on July 11, Cavern Beat (Beatles tribute) on July 18, Thunder Road (Bruce Springsteen tribute) on July 25, Dot Dot Dot (power pop) on Aug. 1, Pianoman on Aug. 8, and Heartache Tonight (Eagles tribute) on Aug. 15.

All performances begin at 7 p.m. and usually last until 9 p.m. There is no admission fee.

Food is for sale at every concert beginning at 6 p.m. Each week will feature one of four local restaurants: RoccoVino’s, Charkies, Alberto’s and Pietanza’s.

During the village board meeting on Monday, trustees encouraged residents to come out to the concerts at the Town Center as a fun, affordable night out for the whole family.

“It’s a great event. Every Thursday night is a lot of fun,” Trustee Matt McCarthy said. “You can have a nice night out with your family, not spend a lot of money and just enjoy some good music.”