Sounds of Summer

Wed May 29, 2024

DeKalb, IL- Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs, and don’t forget your dancing shoes for fantastic free music at some of our most popular park sites this summer.    

We kick off the summer concert series with Rockin’ with Ronnie: Kids’ Concerts in the Park on select Tuesdays starting June 11 at the Hopkins Park Bandshell, located at 1403 Sycamore Road. From 10:30 – 11:15 am, families can enjoy a performance by Grammy-nominated artist Nanny Nikki on June 11, Jeanie B! on July 16, and Istvan & His Imaginary Band on August 6. 

 The DeKalb Municipal Band will begin its 170th season on Tuesday evenings starting June 11 at 7:30 pm in Hopkins Park with featured soloist Gavin Wilson for their opening night. For the full concert schedule through August 20, visit the interactive calendar at dekalbparkdistrict.com/calendar. 

Music at the Mansion is back for another exciting season on select Wednesday evenings, June 12 through July 24, set against the backdrop of the historic and beautiful Ellwood House Museum at 420 Linden Place. Pre-show entertainment on select dates will start at 6:30 pm, with the headliner show from 7:00-8:30 pm. Staff will also be hosting a Bags Tournament on June 12 and 19! For a $20 fee per team, participants are asked to preregister in advance. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site. Overflow concert parking is at Clinton Rosette Middle School at 650 N. 1st Street.

June 12—Valius: This band offers a curated range of classic hits from the 1960s through today, plus a little rock, rap, country, and pop and two albums worth of original music to round it out. Pre-show entertainment is Honey on the Rocks, a local jazz duet. 

June 19—Good Clean Fun: Performing songs from the last seven decades, Good Clean Fun delivers a performance that’s engaging, unique, and sure to wow the crowd by playing Sock Hop, golden oldies, Disco, Motown, 80s, 90s, 2000s, and Top 40 hits. Pre-show entertainment: Ivy Gonzalez, a bilingual solo singer, musician, and songwriter. Ivy performs for audiences who enjoy live guitar tunes with heart and soul.  

June 26 – The PriSSillas: Not your average cover band! With their eclectic setlist, off-the-charts chemistry, and witty sense of humor, The PriSSillas bring the party each time they take the stage. Their high-energy shows will bring you to your feet as they take you on a musical journey through numerous decades and genres. Pre-show entertainment: Nicole Fenanzo- a local solo guitarist, plays tunes from the 80s through today’s hits. 

July 10 –  Rockin’ Fenderskirts: Put on your blue suede shoes and rock around the clock to your favorite rock ‘n’ roll oldies. That’ll be the day The Rockin’ Fenderskirts come to town. There’ll be a whole lotta shakin’ going on. You’ll dance, you’ll sing, you’ll laugh. You’ll get all shook up. Who knows, you might even twist and shout. Pre-show entertainment- Mark Walters: local musician playing covers from the 70s through now.  

July 17 –  Soda: What’s your flavor? Because you’ll get the best of everything all the time with Soda. From the Zac Brown Band to Cee Lo Green, from Darius Rucker to LMFAO, this band can do it all. Pre-show entertainment- Ethan Larson: a singer/songwriter who covers the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and current rock and country. Everything from the Eagles to George Strait along with some original music.

July 24 – Hillbilly Rockstarz: Hillbilly Rockstarz are Chicago's very own country super group; they specialize in covering the latest hits in country music, including some of everyone's classic favorites. This show is guaranteed good times...Hillbilly style! Pre-show entertainment- Tegan Fischer: line dancing demonstration courtesy of the DeKalb Park District line dancing instructor. 

Free concerts will also be held as part of the annual Fourth of July Celebration in Hopkins Park. Feel Good Party, an energetic tribute band, will take the Band Shell stage at 3:30 pm before the Star-Spangled Spectacular, courtesy of the DeKalb Municipal Band, which starts at 7:30 pm. 

Thank you to Music at the Mansion sponsors, Gordon Hardware and MetroNet. For full band bios, bags tournament registration, and more information about free concerts in the park, please visit dekalbparkdistrict.com/calendar or call (815) 758-7756.