Naper Nights salutes '70s, '80s hitmakers
Naper Settlement will be grooving to the music of The Police, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen this weekend in the final installment the summer Naper Nights concert series.
Tribute acts will aim to have audiences dancing to classics from the 1970s and '80s during the community concert series' final weekend. Music runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18 and 19, at the museum village, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.
"Naper Nights over the years has definitely become a celebrated Naperville tradition," said Adison Glick, special events coordinator. "The event has grown in many ways this year, and this month we're bringing in new acts like Bruce in the USA and Synchronicity. The event has truly become a great night out on the town that is engaging for the whole family."
Friday's show features two bands performing rock classics. Opening band Synchronicity, a tribute to the music of The Police, will play the radio hits that blended rock, reggae, punk and jazz into some of the new wave era's most important music.
After Synchonicity, the headliner Friday will be Naper Nights' favorite, Landslide, a tribute band to Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famers Fleetwood Mac that performs hits including "Go Your Own Way," "Rhiannon" and "Tusk."
"My favorite song to perform is 'Gold Dust Woman,'" said Freddie Francis, Landslide's guitar player. "We truly enjoy playing every song we play, but I love 'Gold Dust Woman' because we play it differently every time. When we play on stage, we believe it becomes evident of how much we all enjoy performing these great songs."
The last night of the series will showcase tributes to Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. Opening will be Simply Billy, a tribute to Billy Joel's songwriting, vocal and pianistic virtuosity. Bruce in the USA, deemed one of the world's top tribute bands by AXS TV, will end the night with a high-energy, spot-on musical performance and accurate re-creation of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Lead singer Matt Ryan began performing as "The Boss" at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas for the popular show "Legends in Concert." Fast forward 14 years and Ryan says he has had an "incredible journey" touring the world and is thrilled to come to Naperville.
"It's all about happiness and love and connections when you're playing for Bruce Springsteen fans," Ryan said. "There are some incredible fans in the Chicago area, so we're very excited to come to Naperville."
School of Rock's local musicians will perform before the tribute bands both evenings.
There also will be family friendly activities in the children's activities area. Children can paint a masterpiece courtesy of Pinot's Palette, learn how to break a board with PRO Martial Arts, or practice their hula hooping skills with Lil J's Bohemia. Naper Settlement also will have old-fashioned games available for kids to play, and Legoland will be inspiring kids' creativity each night.
This month, Naper Settlement is partnering with Naperville Junior Woman's Club. Proceeds from the tip jars at the beverage tent will benefit this organization.
The concessions menu includes beverages from Bell's Brewery, Rodney Strong Vineyards and Schamberger Brothers Inc., as well as food from Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken, John's Rib House, Little Jimmy's Italian Ice and Nothing Bundt Cakes. No outside food or beverages are permitted.
Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for ages 4 to 12, and free for members and younger children. For information or tickets, visit NaperNights.org.
If you go
What: Naper Nights
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18 and 19
Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
Tickets: $15 adults, $10 ages 4 to 12, free younger children and members
Info: NaperNights.org