Question Mark and the Mysterians return to Starlight!

? and the Mysterians is more than just a hit single. They happen to be the first band to be described as punk rock! Their music has evolved over more than 40 years to become an unbelievably sensational performance to listen to. We’re so lucky to have them returning to the Starlight Concert Series on Thursday, June 25th at James Park.

This unique band got their name from a Japanese science fiction movie titled “The Mysterians.” Their lead singer, dubbed “?” or “Question Mark,” is known for his eccentric behavior which helped first establish the group in the United States. To name a few quirks, Question Mark claims to be a Martian raised by dinosaurs in a past life, and is known to never be seen in public without sunglasses.

Unfortunately, ? and the Mysterians encountered a few setbacks in their musical career, including several members enlisting in the army for the Vietnam War and a former drummer suffering from muscular dystrophy. Still, they were able to breakthrough and record “96 Tears,” their most successful single that reached #1 in the Billboard 100 and went on to sell over one million copies. Their subsequent singles included “I Need Somebody,” “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby,” “Girl, You Captivate Me,” and “Do Something to Me.” Over forty years later, they are still touring with sold-out shows and die-hard fans.

It’s no mystery that this band is one of the greatest ‘garage bands’ in rock and roll history. Be sure to check out their exciting performance at James Park on June 25th from 7:30-9:00 PM, and bring all of your friends and family because this show, as always, is FREE!

This is Kristina signing out…

Call for Proposals: Installation Artist for Lakeshore Arts Festival

Deadline:
6/22/2009

The City of Evanston Cultural Arts Division seeks an artist or group to create and mount, over the course of one weekend, an in-progress outdoor art installation on the grounds of the Lakeshore Arts Festival, held at Dawes Park on the lakefront in Evanston. The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 1-2, 2009, from 11am-6pm each day. Installation artist(s) are expected to create a work in an area that is visible and open to the public throughout the period of time that the work is being installed, allowing for interaction among the patrons of the festival and for flexibility regarding weather and other conditions that may arise due to the location and nature of the event.

For a map and more details of the park location, please call 847.448.8264

After application is received, Cultural Arts Division staff will review the proposal and meet with candidates to discuss placement and design. If modifications are recommended, a revised application will be required.

Stipend: $300
Materials: $200

To submit a proposal, please e-mail, fax, or mail the following by no later than June 22, 2009:

• Name(s), address, phone number, e-mail address;
• 1-page MAXIMUM describing installation idea or concept;
• 1-3 photos of previous or in-progress installation work;
• 2 recommendations or endorsements (name and contact info, or attached letter) of previous or in-progress installation work

Submit all materials to:

Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival
City of Evanston Cultural Arts Division
927 Noyes St.
Evanston, IL 60201
culturalarts@cityofevanston.org

phone: 847.448.8264
fax: 847.328.1340

http://www.cityofevanston.org/lakeshore

Deadline:
6/22/2009

Travel down South Boulevard for classic Chicago tunes

If you’re a fan of the Chicago music scene, then you don’t want to miss out on the windy city’s newest supergroup, South Boulevard. This blues, soul and rock cover band has had the opportunity to perform with legendary artists including Muddy Waters, James Cotton and Sonny Terry, and has recorded music in famous studios like Capitol Records in Los Angeles and Electric Ladyland in New York.

Mr. Dudley Fair, the frontman of South Boulevard, is known for his deep and raspy vocals, as well as his ability to immediately bring the audience to their feet. Guitarists Willie Shields and Chris Discher accompany Fair with their tight rhythms and genuine solos. To top it off, Steve Flugum and Steve Capillo provide the percussion that has been forty years in the making.

Get a taste of Chicago’s classic music scene with South Boulevard as during the second installation of the Evanston Starlight Concert Series. Check out the details below!

South Boulevard
Tuesday, June 23rd
7:30-9:00 PM
Harbert Park (E. of Canal St., S. of Dempster St.)
FREE!

Bring the whole family for a fun night of your favorite blues, soul and rock classics!

This is Kristina signing out…

Starlight Concert Series Kickoff!

Hello to all!

I hope you have left your Thursday evening open because we're kicking off Evanston's annual Starlight Concert Series with none other than Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound! You heard all about Paul Cebar in a previous blog post (click here!), so I hope you're pumped to hear some awesome folk and jazz tunes. Here are the details for this week's performance:

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound

Thursday, June 18th

7:30-9:00 PM

James Park (Dodge Avenue at Mulford Street)

FREE!

Please join us at James Park for the beginning of an extraordinary summer concert series. Don't forget: there will be a free raffle with awesome prizes!

This is Kristina signing out...

art under glass event

The Arts & Business Committee of The Evanston Arts Council and EvMark present:

Please join us

for an

Opening Night Reception

Wednesday, June 17th

at 5:30 pm

708 Church Street lobby

and an evening

walk through the

several windows beautified

with our local Evanston artists.

Works of photography, sculpture, glass and painting will be displayed. Artists involved include Carlo Lo Cascio, David Gista, Lisa Harris, and Judy Koon from the Evanston Art Center; Wren Campbell, Ted Harris and Erin Mooney from Open Studio Project, and Lena Freireich and Doniece Malia-Wall.

"This project will enrich the experience of residents and visitors alike, and expose everyone to the great talent in our midst," said Carolyn Dellutri, EvMark's executive director.

e v a n s t o n a r t s b u z z . c o m

a guide to arts and cultural events in evanston

Rock and Blues Star Milt Trenier Comes to Evanston!

On June 30th at 7:30PM at Twiggs Park, one of the famous Trenier brothers, Milt Trenier, comes to Evanston!

A big success in the early '50s, Milt Trenier and his family of musicians wowed audiences with their lively and energetic shows. Combining swing music with rock and roll, their “brand of hot jump blues” was undoubtedly addictive. With a Top Ten hit in 1951 with "Go Go Go," the group became even more popular with their appearances in rock films like Don't Knock the Rock, The Girl Can't Help It, and Calypso Heat Wave. One of the many firsts for rock and roll artists at the time, the Treniers appeared on the television show Colgate Comedy Hour hosted by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in May of 1954. After leaving the Treniers in 1959, Milt decided to peruse a solo career. He started playing in clubs around the Chicago area and continues to do so today.

Milt Trenier entertains audiences with his classic rock and blues tunes like no one else. James Porter from New City Chicago said that “Milt's got the heart of an all-around entertainer, the soul of a true survivor, and the balls of a brass monkey.”

So don’t miss out on this awesome experience and come out to see Milt Trenier on June 30th at 7:30PM at Twiggs Park!

-L.A.U.R.E.N.

Calling All Volunteers!

Are you an art lover with time to spare? Then come out and volunteer for the City of Evanston at the 2009 LAKESHORE AND ETHNIC ARTS FESTIVALS!

Both festivals are located at the beautiful Dawes Park (at the intersection of Sheridan Rd. and Church St.) and house some of the best artwork that Evanston and Chicago have to offer. With a myriad of entertainment and food vendors, these events are sure to be fun and exciting!

Volunteer Positions Available are:

Lakeshore Arts Festival – August 1st and 2nd

FAMILY CRAFT TENT - working with children to create original craft pieces
SILENT AUCTION - loading in, setting up, watching bid sheet, and processing transactions
INFORMATION BOOTH - selling merch, folding shirts and answering questions
FLOATERS - walking around helping artists in their booths

Ethnic Arts Festival – July 18th and 19th

FAMILY ARTS ACTIVITY AREA - working with kids and crafts; HOSPITALITY - greeting artists and helping the load-in
INFORMATION BOOTH - selling merch, folding shirts, and answering questions
PARADE OF NATIONS - presenting the nations represented
FLOATERS - walking around to aid artist vendors with booth sitting and questions

PLUS, FOOD VOUCHERS AND A FREE T-SHIRT WILL BE PROVIDED!!!!

If interested please contact Lauren Echevarria by e-mail at lechevarria@cityofevanston.org OR by phone at (847)448-8260.

Thanks!

-L.A.U.R.E.N.

"The Consul" comes to Northwestern

This Thursday, May 21st Menotti’s The Consul opens at Northwestern University in Cahn Auditorium (600 Emerson Street, Evanston, IL 60201).

Directed by Jay Lesenger and conducted by the award-winning Joel Revzen, this operatic thriller tells the tale of Magda Sorel, a woman trapped within an unidentified totalitarian European nation. With a revolutionary for a husband, Sorel finds herself face to face with the secret police. Hoping to save her and her family from her countries dark oppression, she attempts to obtain a visa, all too rarely granted, from the consul of a neighboring country. The Consul tale of her epic journey to escape tyranny has fascinated audiences since its opening on Broadway in 1950. Winning both the Pulitzer Prize for music and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for best musical, this was Gian Carlo Menotti’s first full-length opera. Performed in English, this will be the first time this thought-provoking opera has been seen at Northwestern.

Show Times:
Thursday, May 21st – 7:30PM
Friday, May 22nd – 7:30PM (Cover Cast, No Costumes or Orchestra – Free)
Saturday, May 23rd – 7:30PM

Ticket Prices:
General Public - $18
Senior Citizens and Northwestern Faculty/Staff - $15
Students with valid IDs - $8

For more information please call the Pick-Staiger Concert Office at (847) 491-5441 or visit the Pick-Staiger Web site at http://www.pickstaiger.org/.

Don’t miss out on this great event!

-L.A.U.R.E.N.