BAPA’s popular, family-friendly Porch Concert series will kick off with a performance by the Leadfoot Band at Ridge Historical Society (RHS), 10621 S. Seeley Ave., on Fri., May 13. This concert celebrates BAPA’s Home Tour, which will start from and include the RHS on Sun., May 15.
BAPA’s popular outdoor concert series is in high demand from porch owners who want to host, but we can only host one a month. The BAPA Porch Concert Block Challenge will base porch selection fair on the blocks where the most residents are current BAPA members in each of five sections of the neighborhood.
Here’s how it works: Each area will have until two weeks before their concert date to get as many neighbors as possible to join BAPA. The block with the most BAPA members wins the concert and picks the porch.
Wiley said that finding funding for the porch concerts is priority; each event costs approximately $1,000. Membership donations can be a big help in covering those costs.
The Challenge Schedule
May 27 is the deadline for North Beverly and the June 10 Porch Concert. Boundaries are 87th to 95th Streets, Western to Beverly Avenue.
June 24 is the deadline for East Beverly for the July 8 Porch Concert. Boundaries are 95th Street to 119th Street, Rock Island Metra tracks to Vincennes Road/Beverly Avenue.
July 29 is the deadline for West Beverly and the Aug. 12 Porch Concert. Boundaries are 99th Street to 119th Street, California Avenue/Rockwell Avenue to Western.
Aug. 26 for Morgan Park for the Sept. 9 Porch Concert. Boundaries are 107th Street to 119th Street, Western to the Rock Island Metra tracks.
Sept. 30 for Central Beverly for the Oct. 14 Porch Concert. Boundaries are 95th Street to 107th Street, Western to the Rock Island Metra tracks.
Bands are currently being scheduled for the Porch Concert series. The Smiley Tillmon Band will play on June 10, Pat Egan and the Heavy Hearts will play on July 8, Hot Rocks will play Aug. 12, Railway Gamblers will play Sept. 9, and Beverly Country Club will play Oct. 14.
BAPA is looking forward to some lively competition for the Porch Concert block challenge. “It will be a fun way to get residents more involved with BAPA and to showcase BAPA’s 75th Anniversary in the community,” said BAPA Executive Director Mary Jo Viero. “Just like our neighbors count on BAPA to keep Beverly/Morgan Park strong and vital, BAPA counts on our neighbors to support our work.”
Become a BAPA member at bapa.org/support-bapa. Memberships are available at a variety of levels, and there’s a new monthly gift option.
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