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2024 Downtown Summer Sounds

Downtown Summer Sounds is a free outdoor concert series on Thursday evenings from 5-7PM at Fountain Square, from July 11 to September 26. For nine of the twelve weeks, Downtown Evanston is collaborating with a different local nonprofit (see below) to select the band, activate the Fountain Square plaza, and help us to ensure that the concert series reflects the diversity of our community and features a wide range of musical genres and performers. On the three remaining nights of the 2024 concert series (July 11, August 1, and September 5), Downtown Evanston will also host an outdoor Thursday Night Market,  featuring artists, makers, and retailers from the regional community.
THANKS FOR A GREAT 2024 CONCERT SERIES!
We'll see you again next year!

During the concerts, there will be beer for sale from Sketchbook Brewing Co., and wine, canned cocktails and other soft drinks for sale from Five & Dime. There will also be several food trucks, and ice cream for sale from the C&W Market & Ice Cream Parlor.
After the music ends, take advantage of these SPECIAL DINING OFFERS from a variety of restaurants in Downtown Evanston!

Concert attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating.
In the event of inclement weather, Downtown Evanston will announce any cancellations by noon on the day of the concert.
Music lineup subject to change. Click here for a map of the concert area.
If you have any questions about the concert series, please email info@DowntownEvanston.org.

If you're driving into Downtown Evanston for the concert series, we recommend parking in the Sherman Plaza Self Park garage--it's only a block away from Fountain Square. More information about parking. Downtown Evanston is also easily accessible by bike, bus or train!

Past Concerts:

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September 26 | Rosalba Valdez and Mariachi Sirenas

September 26 | Rosalba Valdez and Mariachi Sirenas

5PM: Rosalba Valdez's music showcases upbeat original songs and popular covers with Latin rhythms, bilingual lyrics, and a feel-good social justice theme. www.rosalbavaldez.com
6PM: Mariachi Sirenas is proud to represent the genre and tradition of mariachi music in the Chicagoland area.

Presented in partnership with Evanston Pride
  • During the concert, Evanston Pride will have a piñata for children, and host a mercado showcasing Latinx and LGBTQIA+ vendors and resource booths.

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September 19 | Ida y Vuelta

September 19 | Ida y Vuelta

Ida y Vuelta will perform Son Jarocho, traditional music from Veracruz, Mexico.

Presented in partnership with Evanston Latinos
  • In recognition of Hispanic Heritage month (Sept 15-Oct 15), a group food entrepreneurs who have been working working with Evanston Latinos to bring a shared community commercial kitchen to Evanston will be preparing 'antojitos' (the Spanish word for cravings) to help celebrate the end of summer in Downtown Evanston.   /   En reconocimiento al mes de la Herencia Hispana (del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre), un grupo de empresarios alimentarios que han estado trabajando con Evanston Latinos para traer una cocina comercial comunitaria compartida a Evanston preparan antojitos para ayudar a celebrar el final del verano en el centro de Evanston.
  • This concert is also sponsored by Evanston Place Apartments. Stop by their table to learn more!

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September 12 | Funkadesi, featuring Pavithra Anand

September 12 | Funkadesi, featuring Pavithra Anand

Funkadesi has been wowing crowds for over 27 years with their blend of Indian bhangra, Bollywood & folk with reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves.

Presented in partnership with Evanston ASPA
  • In many Asian cultures, Fall is a time for celebrating mid-autumn, giving thanks for the harvest, and gathering with family and friends to welcome light, joy and love leading us into the coming winter months. Bring the whole family for music and moon treats, and participate in making some moon art. During the concert, Henna artist Lucky Palo will also be on site, and Evanston ASPA will be joined by the University of Michigan Alumni/Asian American Pacific Islander Club.

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September 5 | Blue Line Blues Band

September 5 | Blue Line Blues Band

Bona fide Chicago Blues with vocalist Casey Lee, featuring Latin Blues guitar star Ivan Singh.

Presented in conjunction with Downtown Evanston's Thursday Night Market
  • During the concert, visit the Thursday Night Market vendors, and stop by the Downtown Evanston tent for a free pair of sunglasses.
  • Open Studio Project will be on site leading a free art activity for kids of all ages!

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August 29 | The Windy City Ramblers

August 29 | The Windy City Ramblers

The Windy City Ramblers will be performing high energy New Orleans style brass band second-line music.

Presented in partnership with the James B Moran Center for Youth Advocacy
  • During the concert, the Moran Center will have a variety of street games and family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy.
  • Representatives from Chicago Union Ultimate Frisbee will be on site with team and foundation information and free giveaways.

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August 22 | Alongside Harold

August 22 | Alongside Harold

Alongside Harold is an Evanston and Chicago-based band that blends female-led vocals with an Americana take roots, rock, country and pop with a solid beat.

Presented in partnership with Evanston Community Foundation (Leadership Evanston)
  • During the concert, the Evanston Community Foundation will host a variety of games, have free giveaways, and engage the community in a visioning activity. Leadership Evanston alumni are encouraged to come out and represent their class!

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August 15 | Little Miss Ann Band

August 15 | Little Miss Ann Band

* * *  FAMILY NIGHT  * * *  Enjoy a summer evening with the whole family as the Little Miss Ann Band performs upbeat, interactive kids music that will get everyone clapping, singing and dancing together.

Presented in partnership with Foundation 65
  • During the concert, Foundation 65 will offer free coloring book activities for children. There will also be an area set up for families to play corn hole. This event is a great way for Evanston/Skokie School District 65 families to connect with each other before the school year starts!
  • One River School will also lead a free art activity for kids of all ages.

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August 8 | Mixx Company Band

August 8 | Mixx Company Band

The Mixx Company Band are group of live and studio performers who specialize in R&B, Smooth Jazz, Soul, Funk, Blues and Classic Rock.

Presented in partnership with Evanston Cradle to Career
  • During the concert, discover the incredible contributions of our community partners by stopping by their resource tables. Learn about their impactful initiatives and grab an EC2C giveaway while you're there. But that's not all—join in some fun activities, including bubbles and chalk for the children and an acupuncture experience for the adults. Don't miss your chance to enter the raffle for exciting prizes!

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August 1 | Nathan Graham

August 1 | Nathan Graham

Born and raised in Chicago, Nathan Graham meshes South Side Blues with Nashville Americana.

Presented in conjunction with Downtown Evanston's Thursday Night Market and Evanston Space
  • During the concert, visit the Thursday Night Market vendors, and stop by the Downtown Evanston tent for a free pair of sunglasses.
  • Stop by the Evanston Space booth to enter a raffle to win two-day passes to the Folk Festival (one entry per attendee). 
  • Artist and advocate Holly Greenberg will lead a free bird-making art project to raise awareness of bird-window collisions. All are invited to create fabric birds which will be part of an installation of over 10,000 birds. Holly will set up in the plaza near the Downtown Evanston tent. Read about the project here.

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July 25 | Adia Dew

July 25 | Adia Dew

Adia Dew is a singer and songwriter from Chicago who is leading the Neo-Soul and R&B scene.

Presented in partnership with the Evanston Divine 9
  • During the concert, discover the incredible contributions of these nine historically Black fraternities and sororities. Learn about their impactful service projects, from voter registration drives to supporting St. Jude Children's Hospital. But that's not all—join in some fun as the Evanston Divine 9 "activates" Fountain Square with a mid-show raffle, where concert attendees can win gift cards to some of Evanston's favorite businesses. For your chance to win, simply participate in the D9 Passport Stamp Hunt.

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July 18 | The Dreamtree Shakers

July 18 | The Dreamtree Shakers

* * *  FAMILY NIGHT  * * *  The Dreamtree Shakers will perform original music for kids of all ages.

Presented in partnership with Evanston Early Childhood Council and Old Town School of Folk Music
  • During the concert, enjoy a variety of children's activities including a balloon artist, face-painting, and more. Evanston Early Childhood Council partner organizations will also be onsite with information about their programming and services.

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July 11 | Chicken Bone

July 11 | Chicken Bone

Chicken Bone is a high powered 10-piece funk/rock n' roll band based in Evanston.

Presented in conjunction with Downtown Evanston's Thursday Night Market
  • During the concert, visit the Thursday Night Market vendors, and stop by the Downtown Evanston tent for a free pair of sunglasses.
  • Artist and advocate Holly Greenberg will lead a free bird-making art project to raise awareness of bird-window collisions. All are invited to create fabric birds which will be part of an installation of over 10,000 birds. Holly will set up in the plaza near the Downtown Evanston tent. Read about the project here. 

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THANKS TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS:

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City of Evanston

City of Evanston

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Northwestern

Northwestern

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UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

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Rotary International

Rotary International

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Core & Rind Hospitality

Core & Rind Hospitality

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Golub & Company

Golub & Company

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ZS

ZS

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