By Talie Leeb
Beverly Arts Center (BAC), 2407 S. Western, will reprise the annual summer favorite, Live Music Mondays, kicking off June 3 with one of the hottest blues groups around, The Smiley Tillmon Band. The free outdoor concert series takes place in the BAC courtyard and will feature the talents of both local Chicago favorites and visiting artists from further afield.
Every Monday, after the return-of-the work week slog, Beverly/ Morgan Park residents are invited over to the BAC’s back yard to kick-back for a music-filled evening. BYOLC (bring your own lawn chair), full-bar and free parking provided!
6/3 Fronted by Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Smiley Tillmon, the popular classic blues group is sure to start off Music Monday’s on the right note!
6/10 Holden and Company. Described as soulful, soothing and uplifting, Holden and Company are back after their turn as a crowd favorite last summer.
6/17 Man Crush. Bluegrass music.
6/24 Steve Haberichter and Friends. Bluegrass musician and mandolin phenom, Steve Haberichter and his band bring a melodic combination of bluegrass, folk and rock to the BAC.
7/1 John and Julia Devens. Husband and wife duo John and Julia Devens are no strangers to the neighborhood, performing their contemporary take traditional Irish folk music.
7/8 Return 2 Soul. This dream team of vocalists, brass, drums and bass prides itself on bringing together a group of outstanding musicians capable of performing all styles of music – R & B, soul, blues, gospel, jazz, pop, reggae, hip-hop and Motown
7/15 Far Too Close. “A band to enjoy an Irish whiskey,” Far Too Close is the intersection of bluegrass, fast driving traditional Irish folk and old-time string band, all hailing from the South Side of Chicago.
7/22 The McGinniss Brothers Band. Local brothers Luke and Liam McGinniss have been combining elements of classic rock and traditional Irish folk since they were kids. They have been hometown favorites since they started performing in 2015, and now they’re bringing their unique sound back to the neighborhood.
7/29 Caliente Old School. Caliente makes their return to BAC’s summer Monday lineup with the soulful sounds of old school jazz, rock, Motown and so much more, all with a Latin groove twist.
8/5 City Lights Orchestra. A Chicagoland classic, the City Lights Orchestra has been entertaining audiences with their unique renditions of everything from the Beatles, to the Big Band Era to Sinatra, to Motown, since 1974.
8/12 Forest Sun. Stopping in Chicago on his way to Nashville, California singer-songwriter Forest Sun performs Americana folk music, steeped in the musical traditions of the gospel, reggae, country, soul, jazz and funk he grew up with.
On select dates food trucks will be serving during the performances. Space for seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Suggested $5 donation will help the BAC keep providing great music and art programs in Beverly/Morgan Park.