Issue date: 7/3/08 Section: Arts

Media Credit: Evanston Starlight Concert Series Latin-influenced indie group Cordero, of Brooklyn, kick off summer concert series with gusto.

Evanston Starlight Concert Series is one of the city's major summer cultural highlights. Presented by the City of Evanston's Parks Forestry and Recreation Department and organized by the Cultural Arts division at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, the series, a landmark in the city's cultural landscape, has taken place for over twenty years. The 2008 series has expanded to sixteen concerts in four venues throughout the city. This year's series runs until the end of August, allowing ample time to coordinate a relaxing, musical evening with family and friends outdoors.

One of the goals of the Starlight Concert Series is to provide "a diverse and eclectic lineup with a little bit of something for everybody," Jeff Cory, Cultural Arts/Arts Council Director at the Noyes Center, said. Starlight Concert Series Assistant Naomi Echeandia explained that the festival targets all of the Evanston population. This year's festival began with a performance by Latin-influenced Brooklyn indie rock group Cordero in James Park. Wanda Jackson performed at James Park on June 26. R&B singer and Northwestern Alum Lynne Johnson will perform on July 8 with her group the Shivers at Twiggs Park. The rest of the summer holds performances from Midwest rock group JT and the Clouds, the Reggae Cowboys, Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan, Bakelite 78 and more. The series ends with David Drazin performing the original scores to projections of Buster Keaton silent classics One Week and Sherlock, Jr.

The Parks Forestry and Recreation Department provides the music and the setting, and attendees are encouraged to bring along blankets and chairs to make for a comfortable viewing experience. Visitors are also welcome to bring food - the parks make the perfect place for a picnic with an eclectic musical backdrop. In case of rain, James and Dawes Park concerts are moved to the Levy Senior Center on 300 Dodge Ave. Twiggs and Harbart Park concerts are relocated to the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St. Information on concert locations is available at 847-448-8058 on the evenings of concerts. The complete schedule is available at www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/starlight.shtml.

k-tidd@northwestern.edu

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