Naper Nights series takes fans down memory lane
For those who have been around long enough to recall the Beatles' and Rolling Stones' heyday, the Naper Nights concert series undoubtedly will stir up some musical memories.
For the younger set, the outdoor concerts hosted at Naper Settlement will provide a lively introduction to Grammy Award history.
The series opens Friday, June 17, with headliner Mr. Blotto, a local group that performs covers of Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead tunes. Opening act Fortunate Sons is a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band.
On Saturday, June 18, the night will recall the British Invasion of the 1960s, with a performance by headliner American English, a Beatles tribute band, preceded by Stones' tribute band Beggars Banquet.
Queen and Fleetwood Mac tribute bands lead the July roster, while bands specializing in The Who and Led Zeppelin hits will entertain in August.
For years, music fans have been gathering on the village green on the settlement grounds to relax on lawn chairs and blankets and while away summer nights with music, food, drink and friends.
"It's a well-established event," said Adison Glick, the settlement's special events coordinator.
"It takes on the spirit of Naper Settlement. It brings together the community through a love of history."
Each month, it's not just the performance lineup that changes. So does the food available. In June, Carrabba's Italian Grill will be cooking. Kick's Chicken Café is July's featured restaurant. August concerts will offer dishes from Sharko's BBQ, Glick said.
Throughout the series, concertgoers also can purchase food from Joey's Red Hots and Little Jimmy's Italian Ice. For adults, wine from Rodney Strong Vineyards and beer from Kalamazoo-based Bell's Brewery will be available.
Children will have the opportunity to create paintings on canvas with Pinot's Palette, a local art studio, or break boards with Pro Martial Arts, Glick said. On Fridays, Bright Horizons child care will present crafts and Aurora museum SciTech will present science experiments. Saturdays will feature activities presented by the DuPage Children's Museum.
And, fittingly, the School of Rock will be at Naper Nights on Saturdays with its "instrument petting zoo."
"Little kids can get a chance to touch and feel instruments and have fun," said School of Rock owner Anne Schovain.
Schovain said the school will bring guitars, keyboards, drums, other percussion instruments and microphones for children to try.
The school has been represented at Naperville's Last Fling in the past, but this is the school's debut at Naper Nights.
New this year is the Community Partners program, Glick said, whereby local groups can raise funds through volunteering to serve beverages. Tips are funneled to their respective groups, he said.
The Naperville Central High School Color Guard benefits from June's concerts. Loaves and Fishes Community Services will be the featured group in July; in August, it will be the Naperville Junior Woman's Club.
Glick said gates will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. each night, with opening performances beginning at 6 p.m.
No dogs except service animals are allowed and no outside food or drink is allowed. Free parking will be available at the settlement's lot on Porter Avenue at Webster Street and across Aurora Avenue at the Naperville Municipal Center.
Glick said the settlement expects a total of about 10,000 visitors to attend the six-night series this summer.
The concerts will go on rain or shine, he said.
"Fingers crossed, we'll have a good weather forecast," he said.
If you go
What: Naper Nights
Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18, as well as July 22 and 23 and Aug. 19 and 20
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for ages 4-12, free for younger children and Naper Settlement members; tickets and memberships available online and at the gate
Info: (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org