Waukegan Public Library summer concert series begins

Waukegan Public Library has announced the lineup for its annual summer concert series.

Concerts are held Fridays in June, July and August, from noon until one 1 p.m. in the library's front courtyard. In the event of rain, concerts move indoors to the Bradbury Room on the lower level.

This year's concert lineup represents a wide variety of musical styles and genres. Some old favorites return, while a number of groups will perform in Waukegan for the first time.

The centerpiece of this year's series is a musical tour of Mexico with award-winning Sones de México Ensemble, on Aug. 11. Other highlights include music of the Beatles from Kaleidoscope Eyes in June, returning favorites The Jazz Cats and The Hollands in July, and Hawaiian music and dance from Makani Girls in August.

The scheduled lineup is as follows:

• June 2: Sipos & Young (acoustic)

• June 9: Ivy Ford (blues)

• June 16: Lady T (jazz)

• June 23: Kaleidoscope Eyes (Beatles cover band)

• June 30: Patchouli (folk)

• July 7: Ian Gould (Celtic)

• July 14: Jim Green (acoustic)

• July 21: The Jazz Cats (jazz)

• July 28: The Hollands (folk)

• Aug. 4: Makani Girls (Hawaiian)

• Aug. 11: Sones de México Ensemble (musical tour of Mexico)

• Aug. 18: Piper Road Spring Band (bluegrass)

• Aug. 25: Kraig Kenning (acoustic)

Dockside Dogs will return to grill hot lunches for concertgoers, with menu and pricing to come on the library's website. Sweet treats and drinks will be available for purchase from the Friends of the Library, who offer cookies, brownies, and more at each concert.

The library's summer concert series is sponsored by the Friends of the Waukegan Public Library. The Friends of the Library raise funds throughout the year through their book sale, available every day the library is open along the south wall; two major book sale events in the fall and spring; and sweet treats sold during the concerts, as well as through gifts from members. The Friends of the Library also support numerous other events throughout the year, including the Library's signature Storytelling Festival each October.

The main library is located in downtown Waukegan at 128 N. County St. More information about library services is available at www.waukeganpl.org.