Seven free performances are coming to Naperville neighborhood parks between June 28 and July 26, starting Sunday, June 28 at Ashwood Park.
The Naperville Park District's two summer series, Concerts in Your Park and Children's Lunch Hour Entertainment, continue through late July, according to a June 23 announcement from the district. Both are free, require no registration, and run at parks across the city.
Concerts in Your Park brings live bands to neighborhood parks on Sunday evenings, 7–8:30 p.m.:
- Sunday, June 28 — Brass on Fire at Ashwood Park, 4603 Chinaberry Lane
- Sunday, July 12 — Within Four Days at Arrowhead Park, 711 Iroquois Ave.
- Sunday, July 19 — The Messengers at Winding Creek Park, 144 W. Bailey Road
- Sunday, July 26 — Infunktious at Tall Grass Park, 3512 Grassmere Road
Brass on Fire, the seven-piece horn band opening the run, was formed in 2021 by guitarist Tom Kranz and plays in the mold of Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Within Four Days is a Naperville-based classic rock cover band. The Messengers, a Chicago group spanning Americana to rock, describe themselves as a fully live act with no backing tracks.
Children's Lunch Hour Entertainment runs Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. for about 45 minutes:
- Tuesday, June 30 — Rick Kelley at 95th St. Community Plaza, 3109 Cedar Glade Drive
- Tuesday, July 7 — Nanny Nikki at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court
- Tuesday, July 14 — Istvan & His Imaginary Band at 95th St. Community Plaza, 3109 Cedar Glade Drive
Rick Kelley is a one-man-band entertainer and former music teacher with more than 4,000 concerts under his belt. Nanny Nikki, a Grammy-nominated children's performer from the Chicago area, brings sing-along songs, dancing, and puppets. Istvan Janos leads Istvan & His Imaginary Band, a children's rock group that started as a sock puppet act for his daughter and grew into a full seven-member band with two albums. "The band is really a wonderful accident," Janos told Chicago Parent in a profile of the band. "It continues to get bigger and better."
The Park District encourages attendees to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks. The announcement didn't include a rain policy; check napervilleparks.org for updates if weather looks questionable.
This week in Naperville
- Sunday, June 28, 7–8:30 p.m. — Brass on Fire (horn band) at Ashwood Park, 4603 Chinaberry Lane. Free, no registration. Bring chairs and blankets.
- Tuesday, June 30, 11:30 a.m. — Rick Kelley (interactive kids' show) at 95th St. Community Plaza, 3109 Cedar Glade Drive. Free, approximately 45 minutes.
