By Hinsdale Magazine Group Staff

For over two decades, The Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce has successfully grown its weekly summer live concerts. Today, Uniquely Thursdays continues to thrive. Every summer, residents from Hinsdale and attendees from surrounding communities come to enjoy food and drinks in a welcoming atmosphere with great live music.
Originally located on First Street with a six-inch stage, the event moved south of the tracks to Burlington Park in 2008. The event has nearly 1,000 attendees on certain nights, allowing many to see familiar friends and faces. This year, Uniquely Thursday kicked off the season, featuring cover band SEMPLE performing various music genres.
For the rest of your summer enjoyment, here is a guide to Summer Concerts in our little corner of the world, including Uniquely Thursdays. Almost every day of the week, there is a concert to enjoy. ■

Brookfield Zoo Presents
“Concerts for Conservation”

Friday, July 14: Soul Asylum and Special Guests The Verve Pipe

Saturday, July 15: Macy Gray

Friday, July 21: Vertical Horizon

Saturday, July 22: Plain White T’s

Reserve a spot on the East Mall starting at 6 p.m. VIP ticket holders will have early access starting at 5:30 p.m. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude with a 30-minute light show and dance party. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and your own picnic, or enjoy a variety of food options, including two food trucks. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase within the zoo. Concert tickets are $45 for general admission, with a discounted rate of $40 for Brookfield Zoo members. A VIP ticket, which includes early access to the venue at 5:30 p.m. and free parking, is $55. To purchase tickets, visit CZS.org/ConcertsforConservation.

Burr Ridge Village Center Presents
“Concerts on the Village Green”

Thursday, July 13: Strung Out

Thursday, July 20: School of Rock House Band + Reckless

Thursday, July 27: Radius + Chicago Experience

FREE Concerts take place every Thursday evening through July 27. The concerts are held on The Village Green from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Tickets are not required, with walk-ins welcome; however, RSVPs are encouraged to receive event updates. You may arrive as early as 6:00 p.m. to grab your spot and relax before the music begins. Bring your own chairs and blankets for seating. Visit shopburrridge.com for more information.

for more information.

Clarendon Hills Chamber of
Commerce Presents “Dancin’ in The Street”

Wednesday, July 12: dirty pop

Wednesday, July 19: Anchors Away

Wednesday, July 26: Fuze

Wednesday, August 2: Whoosh

FREE, each Wednesday from July 12 through August 2, starting at 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., in downtown Clarendon Hills (Prospect Avenue from Park Avenue to Burlington Avenue). Bring your chairs and blankets for seating. A beer tent is available to purchase from; no private alcohol is allowed. Residents can support the concerts by buying specialty vehicle stickers for a donation minimum of $10 over the Village Sticker price ( www.clarendonhills.us/stickers). Visit clarendonhillschamber.com

Downers Grove Park District Presents
“Summer Concert Series”

Tuesday, July 11: HiFi Superstar

Tuesday, July 18: Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute

Tuesday, July 25: No Turn On Red

Tuesday, August 1: Billy Elton

Tuesday, August 8: The Mackenzie O’Brien Band

Tuesday, August 15: Valius

The FREE concerts are held Tuesday evenings through August 15 and feature rock, country, blues, and oldies. Watch the shows at Fishel Park, 1036 Grove Street in Downers Grove. Remember to bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Doors open, and food and beverage sales begin at 6:00 p.m. each Tuesday. Music will play between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. Visit dgparks.org for more information.

Elmhurst City Centre Presents
“Wednesday Nights Live”

Wednesday, July 12: Funky Monks

Wednesday, July 19: Run Forrest Run

Wednesday, July 26: Small Town

Wednesday, August 2: How Rude

Wednesday, August 9: Who’s Who

FREE concerts from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, at North York Stage, just North of 254 North York Street, under the Umbrella Sky Installation. Parking is available in any of the five parking decks in downtown Elmhurst. Restaurants and bars are within walking distance. Visit elmhurstcitycetre.com for more information.

Oak Brook Park District Presents
“Rockin’ Summer Concert Series”

Thursday, July 13: Ann Stewart and the Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band

Thursday, July 20: Sting Rays

Thursday, July 27: One Foot In The Groove

Free Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring your blankets, baskets, and lawn chairs for these fantastic performances. In Central Park Performing Arts Pavilion, 1500 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook. Visit obparks.org for more information.

Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce
Presents “Uniquely Thursdays”

Thursday, July 13: Reckless

Thursday, July 20: Sushi Roll

Thursday, July 27: Nerdvana

Thursday, August 3: Libido Funk Circus

Thursday, August 10: Rockstar Rodeo

Thursday, August 17: 7th Heaven

Uniquely Thursdays will continue in Burlington Park through August 17 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Grab your blankets, chairs, and your spots early. Located between Garfield and Washington Streets on Chicago Avenue, patrons can gather for free music with beer, wine & food available for purchase. As a fundraiser, all outside alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Visit hinsdalechamber.com for more information.

Westmont Park District Presents Concerts

Wednesday, July 19: Rockin’ Fenderskirts

Wednesday, August 16: Beatelles

Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs, blankets, and dance moves to Westmont and enjoy an evening of outdoor entertainment. Concerts are held at various parks in the community on Wednesday evenings from 7–8:30 p.m. Visit westmontparks.org for more information.

Other Noteworthy Summer Events

Moose Lodge Cruise Nights in Downers Grove
Check out classic cars on Friday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Warren Avenue. Visit downtowndg.org for more information.

“Rock the Block” in downtown Elmhurst
Visit the two-day festival full of bands, food, a family fun zone, and more on Friday, September 8, and Saturday, September 9. Headliners include Too Much Molly, Hello Weekend, ARRA, and Sixteen Candles. Visit elmhurstcitycentre.com for more information.

Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest
Held on the grounds at Elmhurst History Museum, join this event on Saturday, September 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to taste some craft brews, ciders, and hard seltzers and listen to live music. Visit elmhurstcraftebeerfest.com for more information.

Oak Brook Polo Matches
Join the Oak Brook Polo Club for a Sunday match. Most events and matches begin at 1:00 p.m. and end with the awards ceremony at 5:15 p.m. Tickets range from general admission to reserved tables. Visit oakbrookpoloclub.com for more information.

Taste of Westmont
Presented by Westmont Special Events, Taste of Westmont is an award-winning, 4-day summer festival featuring excellent food, great music, an all-ages carnival, and kids’ entertainment. The event will occur from July 13 to July 16 in downtown Westmont. Visit westmontevents.com for more information.