PUBLISHED IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE JUNE 12, 2015

Beginning Thursday and running through Sept. 10, Wicker Memorial Park will be holding an outdoor concert series at the Wicker Park Social Center Gazebo from 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Musical acts for the Thursday Night Summer Concert Series include Final Say (Thursday), American English (June 25), Dick Diamond and the Dusters (July 2), High Noon (July 9), The Steepwater Band and Nomad Planets (July 16), Kashmir (July 23), Gone to Paradise (July 30), Here Come the Mummies (Aug. 6), Echoes of Pompeii (Aug. 13), Infinity (Aug. 20), and Mexican independence Visions of Santana (Sept. 10).

The Thursday Night Summer Concert Series acts will be performing rain or shine. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will run from 7:30 to10:30 p.m.
Lori Polgar, director of operations for the North Township Trustee, the governing agency serving the communities of East Chicago, Hammond, Highland, Munster and Whiting gave some insight for how the concert series came to become what it is today. “The North Township Trustee, Frank Mrvan, had an idea about eight years ago. He wanted to bring an idea to the community, like Ravinia, to northwest Indiana. It was his vision that started the idea that we now bring to the residents,” said Polgar.

“We have more acts this year than ever before,” Polgar continued, “I am excited because we have bigger and bigger crowds. We’ve even had people asking about our lineup since February.”

The Thursday Night Concert Series in Wicker Memorial Park is great for the community of northwest Indiana. “It brings a different quality of life to residents because people don’t have to drive to Chicago to get quality entertainment,” said Polgar.

Tickets for most shows for the Thursday Night Summer Concert Series at Wicker Memorial Park will be $5. The American English show on June 25 will be $10.

On Aug. 6, the band Here Come the Mummies will be playing for the Victory for Veterans Benefit show. All proceeds for the Victory for Veterans Benefit show will go toward veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention programs. Tickets for the Victory for Veterans Benefit are $20 for general admission and $30 for VIP. Tickets for this event will not be sold at the gate and must be purchased in advance.

Casey is a freelance writer.
Wicker Memorial Park Summer Thursday Night Concert Series

Wicker Park Social Center Gazebo, 2215 Ridge Road, Highland

7:30-10:30p.m. June 18-Sept. 10

Tickets: $5-$30

219-838-3420 or Wickermemorialpark.com