COD's Lakeside Pavilion features free summer entertainment
The 2016 Lakeside Pavilion Free Outdoor Summer Series celebrates its third anniversary season at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center.
Programming will run Thursday, July 14, to Friday, Aug. 26, and will include a Friday evening Pop Music Series, a Thursday evening Jazz Concert Series and Thursday evening Family Movie Series on the college's campus, 426 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Parking is free.
"We are thrilled to present the third annual Lakeside Pavilion Free Outdoor Summer Series," said MAC director Diana Martinez. "It has become a signature event for the community and it's so exciting to see how it has grown to be such a community favorite in such a short time.
"The gorgeous surroundings, engaging entertainers, and sense of community that exudes from this event each week are so gratifying," Martinez continued. "As early as this past December, patrons were already asking what the 2016 schedule would be, so we're thrilled to be able to share some of the exciting events featured in this year's series that offer a nice, eclectic range and style of music from pop to jazz."
The Pop Music Series begins Friday, July 22, with a concert by the internationally acclaimed Chicago-based Beatles tribute band American English. The concert marks the beginning of the MAC's 30th anniversary.
The '60s flashback continues Friday, July 29, when Chicago's The Buckinghams take the stage to perform classic hits including "Kind of a Drag" and "Don't You Care." On Friday, Aug. 5, the Doo Wop Project, featuring five current and former stars of Broadway's "Jersey Boys" and "Motown: The Musical," performs the tight harmonies of groups like the Belmonts, Flamingos and the Four Seasons, plus covers of hits by solo artists including Michael Jackson and some of the biggest hits on the radio today.
New Philharmonic, the MAC's resident symphony orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Kirk Muspratt, entertains with a mix of light classical, Broadway pops, patriotic and movie-themed music Friday, Aug. 12, in a concert heralding the orchestra's 40th anniversary season.
On Friday, Aug. 26, Toronto's Brass Transit brings its studio-tight tribute to the legendary rock group Chicago to the pavilion stage to wrap up the Pop Music Series and launch COD's 50th anniversary celebration festivities with a concert capped with fireworks, T-shirt bombs, and an appearance by Chappie, the COD mascot.
All Pop Music Series concerts are free and begin at 7:30 p.m.
By popular demand, jazz radio station WDCB, located on the COD campus, returns with its Thursday Evening WDCB LIVE Jazz Concert Series. The series opens Thursday, Aug. 4, with the funk, rhythm and blues sounds of New Orleans' Walter "Wolfman" Washington and the Roadmasters. Thursday, Aug. 11, features a double bill of jazz fusion trio Organissimo and award-winning jazz organist Brian Charette.
Acclaimed Chicago-born trumpeter and composer Marquis Hill completes the series on Thursday, Aug. 25. Admission to WDCB LIVE Jazz Concerts is free and all performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
The 2016 Family Movie Series begins Thursday, July 14, with a singalong version of Disney's five-time Academy Award-winner "Mary Poppins," starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. On Thursday, July 21, it is Disney's "Aladdin" featuring the Academy Award-winning song "I Could Show You the World" and the voices of Robin Williams as the Genie and Gilbert Gottfried as the parrot, Iago.
The film series wraps up Thursday, July 28, with the most recent film in the popular Star Wars series, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." All movies begin at dusk, approximately 8:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged for all films.
All concert and movie events take place rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved indoors to the Belushi Performance Hall and notice will be posted on the MAC's website, atthemac.org.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and bring a blanket and picnic to enjoy at the event. Holding of space for late comers or groups is not permitted. To host a special event or reserve space for a group, call (630) 942-3026.
Concessions include wine, beer, soda, gourmet sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, popcorn and snacks. Outside alcohol is not permitted nor are coolers, kegs, umbrellas, tents and skateboards.
Also on the Lakeside Pavilion this summer is the COD College Theater production of "Moustache Tales" at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17. Theater professor Amelia Barrett directs the free, hourlong, family-friendly show featuring three stories about the world above your lip that ask the question: "Do you see yourself the way you are, the way others see you or, the way you want to be?"
In addition, throughout the summer, the MAC continues to offer programming inside the venue. Events include the COD college theater production of "Grease" at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, July 7 to 17, in the Playhouse Theatre in the McAninch Arts Center.
The center also has two exhibitions in The Cleve Carney Art Gallery: "Painter's Painters: Contemporary Painting in Chicago" running June 2 to July 29 and the 30th Anniversary Exhibit running Aug. 22 to Oct. 1.
For information about these and additional MAC summer 2016 events, call (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org.