Free concerts in Bloomingdale, Itasca, Roselle
It's the season for festivals, swimming and concerts.
While some of those events can come with a hefty price tag, others - including many local concerts - are free.
And, to top it off, they're close to home.
Area park districts, villages and (in the case of Roselle's Cruise Nights) even businesses make it a priority every year to bring live music into your backyard. And with so many DuPage County residents watching their budgets, these shows might prove a hot ticket this year.
A series of summer concerts in Bloomingdale, Itasca and Roselle already are in progress and feature retro rock, Caribbean beats and big band sounds - just to name a few.
So pack up your blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets and take advantage of a community resource that's recession-friendly.
Bloomingdale Park District and the Village of Bloomingdale sponsor their Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 18 in Old Town Park, 111 Third St. Residents should bring their lawn chairs. Free admission. For details, visit bloomingdaleparks.org.
Today: One Foot in the Groove, funk and rock
July 14: Associates Band, Motown
July 21: Soda, '70s rock and beyond
July 28: The Sting Rays, '50s and '60s
Aug. 11: Rockwell, classic rock
Aug. 18: American English, Beatles tribute
Itasca Park District's Family Concert Series, Music at the Gazebo, runs through Sept. 9 in Usher Park, Walnut and Irving Park Road. Residents should bring their lawn chairs. Concerts will be canceled in case of inclement weather. Free admission. For details, visit itascaparkdistrict.com.
July 15: Mr. Meyers, Caribbean music
Aug. 5: Pamela Rose and Windy City, country tunes
Aug. 19: Andrew Jess, various musical styles
Sept. 9: Soda, a variety of hits
Cruise Nights are from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays in Roselle through Sept. 25 on Main Street, between Roselle Road and Prospect Street. They are on hiatus during the Taste of Roselle, from July 31 to Aug. 2. The event features flashback '50s music with DJ Tony, an expanded viewing area, parking for more than 100 cars, trophies, T-shirts and giveaways.
Admission is free. For details, visit roselle.il.us or cruiseroselle.com.
July 17: Cavern Beat, Beatles tribute band
Aug. 7: Denny Diamond and the Family Jewels, Neil Diamond tribute band
Aug. 21: The Train Company, '60s, '70s and now
Aug. 28: Everett Dean and Hip No's, rock 'n' roll and rock-a-billy
The Gazebo Concert in the Park Series is scheduled on the following Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Turner Park, Devon Avenue and Roselle Road. Ice cream treats will be available for purchase at each concert from Roselle's own How Sweet It Is. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free, but donations to the Roselle Park District are welcome to help fund this series. For details, visit roselle.il.us.
July 9: Public I, R&B
July 16: Country Sky Ban, country western
July 23: Breeze, big band quartet
July 30: Mr. Meyers, Jimmy Buffet tribute and Caribbean tunes.