NAPERVILLE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
Experience a weekend covering the best in rock n’ roll history, where visitors will enjoy iconic hits and unforgettable music with friends and family during Naper Nights on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and experience a night full of delicious food, cold drinks and great music ranging from Dave Matthews Band to the Beatles on the beautiful grounds of Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Gates are open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 youth ages 4-12, free admission for children under 4 and members. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.NaperNights.org.
Naper Nights Concert Series will kick off on Friday, June 16 with Fortunate Sons, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band. Fortunate Sons is known for creating an authentic CCR experience using original vintage instruments and spot-on musical ability.
Headlining will be the popular Dave Matthews tribute band, Trippin Billies. Composed of some of Chicago’s best musicians, they moved quickly from the bar band circuit and into concert settings. Touring the Midwest for over 20 years, Trippin Billies emulates the Dave Matthews Band concert experience by playing all the hits from albums such as “Crash” and “Everyday.”
“We like to play a song off of every album to keep everyone happy,” said Trippin Billies’ lead singer, Grant Chinouth. “The improve style of the Dave Matthews Band is so great when you’re a tribute band. I know it’s fun to sit, but we want everyone standing and dancing along.”
On Saturday, June 17, enjoy the birth, near death and resurrection of rock n’ roll when the Neverly Brothers will perform music from legends such as Elvis and Buddy Holly. The Neverly Brothers are known for rocking out on stage and getting the crowd singing along to the classics, such as Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” and The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction.”
Beatles fans will relive a classic when American English performs the album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in full for its 50th anniversary, along with a second set of post Beatles’ solo songs by the fab four. Having traveled all over the world, American English finds joy in transcending people into a time where the Beatles made an incredible influence on music.
“People know we aren’t the Beatles, but they love being a part of the illusion and getting a glimpse of the impact and longevity of their music,” said American English’s Tom Gable, who performs as Ringo Starr.
Gable says it’s no easy feat playing albums in their entirety, but he loves coming back to Naper Settlement, because the crowd in Naperville just “seems to get it.”
“[Naper Settlement] is one of the gigs you wait for,” said Gable. “The real show is the people. When you go in and play a specific album you’re rolling the dice, but the people in Naperville are very receptive.”
Be sure to show up early to catch performances from School of Rock’s best local musicians as they welcome guests to Naper Nights both nights.
There are also plenty of activities for kids to do in the children’s activities area. Budding artists can paint a masterpiece, courtesy of Pinot’s Palette, learn how to break a board with PRO Martial Arts, or practice their hula hooping skills with Lil J’s Bohemia. Real Life Fitness will be here Saturday night to help kids work up a sweat.
“The children’s activities create a one-of-a-kind environment for families at the event,” said Naper Settlement’s Special Events and Large Scale Rentals Coordinator, Adison Glick. “Where else can Mom and Dad catch a show and have a drink, while the kids get to paint, karate chop, and hula hoop to their hearts content?”
Naper Settlement is partnering with Independence Winter Color Guard this month. Proceeds from the tip jars at the beverage tent will benefit this great organization.
Beverage sponsors are Bell’s Brewery and Rodney Strong Vineyards. June concert food vendors include Carrabba’s Italian Grill, John’s Rib House, Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice and Nothing Bundt Cakes. No outside food or beverages allowed.
Thank you to our sponsors Woody Buick GMC, Advanced Data Technologies, Andersen, Bell’s Brewery, BMO Harris Bank, Naperville Development Partnership, Naperville Magazine, Pinot’s Palette, PRO Martial Arts, Positively Naperville, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Schamberger Brothers Inc., Springhill Suites, St. Patrick’s Residence, TransNational, Unilock, USG and Wight & Co.
About Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society
Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited, award-winning outdoor museum set on 12 acres in the heart of Naperville, where history comes to play and the community comes to connect. The Naperville Heritage Society is the administrator of Naper Settlement. With a commitment to the community and a focus to the future, the mission of the Naperville Heritage Society is to collect, document, preserve and support the history of Naperville, Illinois, past and present. For more information, visit www.NaperSettlement.org or call (630) 420-6010.
