Arts, Community, Entertainment, Live Music, Local, Main Street Nights, Park Forest

2023 Main Street Nights Schedule Announced


musicians performing on stage outdoors at night
Mainstreet Nights Returns to Downtown Park Forest (VOPF Image)

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Main Street Nights returns to Downtown Park Forest on June 14, 2023. The popular summer draw runs each Wednesday through August 2, except for July 5.

man sitting behind a piano
Victor Blackful is the new Cultural Arts Supervisor for Park Forest (Image Freedom Hall)

Park Forest’s new Cultural Arts Supervisor, Victor Blackful, says the goal of Main Street Nights is simply to “have fun.” Blackful credits his predecessor, Chuck Sabey, who retired at the end of April. Sabey built an incredible foundation with Main Streets Nights as well as at Freedom Hall, Blackful believes.

Mr. Blackful is Rich East graduate who was raised in Park Forest. He enjoyed a twenty-year career in radio and brings that knowledge and expertise to his new position. He says this year’s line-up has “something for everybody – from jazz to world music to R&B.”

Most evenings begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with an opening act geared toward families with children. The main acts take the stage at 7:30 p.m. On July 26 Movie Night, however, the Blooze Brothers perform at 6:30 p.m., prior to the movie screening.

In addition to a wide variety of food and beverage options, Four Seasons Amusements will again be on-site to provide rides and attractions each Wednesday at no charge.

Below is a glimpse of what Main Street Nights has to offer this year.

Wednesday, June 14

This year’s opening act at 6:30 p.m. features Michael Taylor and the Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy. Taylor has performed West African percussion music since 1994.

group of people outside waving at the camera
Funkadesi will perform at Main Street Nights on June 14. (VOPF Image)

The award-winning Chicago-based group Funkadesi takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. performing a blend of Indian bhangra, Bollywood, reggae, and funk.

Wednesday, June 21

Ayrie King III, known as “Mr. Taps,” returns to Main Street Nights at 6:30 p.m. to demonstrate various styles of tap dancing.

Four men and a woman standing side by side
The Freddie Dixon Blues Band takes the Main Street Nights stage on June 21. (VOPF Image)

At 7:30 p.m., the Freddie Dixon Blues Band, a group of noted South Chicago musicians performs blues classics. Band members include Doktu Rhute Muuzic, Maurice John Vaughan, and Freddie Dixon, son of blues great Willie Dixon.

Wednesday, June 28

The South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SSSRA) begins the evening at 6:30 p.m. with several songs from their Show Choir program and a scene from their Drama Club’s performance of The Jungle Book. SSSRA provides recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout the south suburbs.

man on stage playing the zydeco
Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience are the featured performers on June 28. (VOPF Image)

The main feature of the evening will be Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience at 7:30 p.m. Combining elements of blues, rock, R&B, and Cajun music, the group has toured 45 countries and is led by two-time Grammy-winner Terrance Simien.

Tuesday, July 4

While not part of the Main Street Nights line-up, the village will be offering a performance by BBI at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The group has twenty years of experience and covers a wide variety of musical genres covering both old classics and new songs.

woman with four men circled around her
BBI will be performing in Downtown Park Forest on July 4. (Image VOPF)

Note: There will not be amusement rides associated with this event.

Wednesday, July 12

The opening performance of the evening at 6:30 p.m. is the martial arts demonstration team known as Sideswipe. Blending martial arts such as Karate and Tae Kwan Do with gymnastics and acrobatics, the group amazes the audience with their talent, strength, and stamina.

woman in forefront with seven musicians in the background
Qiana McNary and The McNary Experience take the stage on July 12. (VOPF Image)

The McNary Experience takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. led by vocalist Qiana McNary. The Chicago-based group of talented performers plays a wide variety of music including jazz, funk, and soul.

Wednesday, July 19

The 6:30 p.m. performance celebrates Governors State University and the GSU Center for Performing Arts.

group of musicians on stage performing outside
The Southland Jazz Ensemble with Ava Logan appears on July 19. (Photo eNews Park Forest)

At 7:30 p.m. the Southland Jazz Ensemble with Ava Logan performs classic big band music with some of the finest musicians in the area.

Wednesday, July 26

Always a crowd favorite, The Blooze Brothers return this year at 6:30 p.m. marking the 40th anniversary of the original Blues Brothers movie. Featuring songs from the movie as well as other soul, R&B, and Motown hits, the Blooze Brothers and their 1974 Dodge Monaco Bloozemobile are always one of the summer’s highlights.

collage of photos showing musicians on stage
The Blooze Brothers return to the Main Street Nights stage on July 26 (VOPF Image)

Wednesday, August 2

Sponsored by the Park Forest Police Department, Unity Day begins at 6:30 p.m. when local talent takes the stage to perform and local agencies serving the community share information. There will be music, food, and raffles as well as a chance for an up-close view of the village’s emergency vehicles.

woman singing on stage into a hand-held microphone
Freddie Taylor Featuring Nu Source Band appears at Main Street Nights on August 2. (VOPF Image)

Freddie Taylor Featuring Nu Source Band closes out the Main Street Nights series beginning at 7:30 p.m. Featuring classic and contemporary R&B hits through the years, this group of talented performers has been a crowd favorite.

Restrooms are available in the Park Forest Village Hall each evening. In the event of rain, performances will be moved to Theatre 47 located at 371 Artists Walk.

More information on the groups performing can be found on the Freedom Hall Main Street Nights website.


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