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...