2023 Main Street Nights
Grab a blanket and position yourself in the Park Forest Downtown Village Green (Cunningham and Main Streets) for eight FREE nights of entertainment, rain, or shine! Vendors on hand selling food and drinks! The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. with an opening act followed by the showcased entertainment. In case of rain, performances will be moved to Dining on the Green. For weather-related changes or cancellations, please call 748-2005 during Village Hall hours or check the Recreation and Parks Department Facebook page at facebook.com/pfrecandparks.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Resident Appreciation Celebration to Kick off Main Street Nights
6:30 p.m. TAYLOR
Michael J. Taylor, more commonly known simply as ‘Taylor’, is a bi-racial human who has been teaching, performing, and recording West African percussion since 1994. He authored the book “Remembering Your Ancestral Fire” published in May 2023. He is also the owner and driving force behind Holy Goat Percussion.
Visit his website at https://www.holygoat.com/about/taylor
7:30 p.m. FUNKADESI
For over 25 years, wowing crowds with their blend of Indian bhangra, Bollywood & folk with reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves, Funkadesi emphatically personifies inclusive joy. This 10-time Award-Winning Chicago-based band delivers a virtuoso high-energy musical experience.
Visit their website at funkadesi.com
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
6:30 p.m. MR. TAPS
Mr. Taps' engaging personality and fancy footwork entrance audiences. Ayrie King III, better known as "Mr. Taps," effortlessly glides across the floor as he demonstrates different styles of tap dancing, from Fred Astaire's innovative flair to Ann Miller's rapid-fire tapping. Mr. Taps has performed at schools, colleges, theaters, and festivals throughout the U.S.
7:30 p.m. FREDDIE DIXON BLUES BAND
Freddie Dixon is the son of Willie Dixon, who is known as the greatest Blues songwriter/arranger of his generation. Willie Dixon’s songs have been recorded by Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Led Zeppelin, and Eric Clapton among many others. Freddie has toured and recorded extensively with his father. More recently as a Chicago Blues Ambassador Freddie is a member of the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
SSSRA 50th Anniversary - Choir and Drama Club performance.
6:30 p.m. SSSRA
South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SSSRA) provides recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the south suburbs. The agency has grown to serve 10 park districts and recreation and parks departments including Park Forest, which was one of the founding three members back in 1973. This year, SSSRA is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is excited to participate in Main Street Nights with a few songs from the SSSRA Show Choir program and a scene from the SSSRA Drama Club performance of The Jungle Book. More information will be available at MSN and we encourage kids to stop by as there will also be crafts.
7:30 p.m. TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE
Terrance Simien and his bandmates create a spicy, hypnotic blend of New Orleans flavored-world-funk-reggae-blues-American Zydeco roots music that beckons you to your feet and into the groove. As a two-time GRAMMY-award-winning artist, Simien has been shattering Zydeco roots music myths for 35 years. His legendary live performances incorporate spoons on washboards, complex vocal harmonies, and a diverse repertoire that feel more like a party than a show. The group has toured 45 countries and has shared studio and stage with Robert Palmer, Stevie Wonder, Los Lobos, Paul Simon, and Dave Matthews Band to name a few.
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
6:30 p.m. PARADE
7:30 p.m. BBI
BBI has been energizing audiences with their universal crowd appeal. BBI is unparalleled by any other regional band. BBI possesses an ebullient live spirit that cuts across ages, races, and backgrounds. It's not just the accolades of great songs, an unforgettable stage show, and being well-dressed that have elevated BBI to superior status. Visit their website at https://www.bbilive.com
7:30 p.m. FIREWORKS
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
6:30 p.m. SIDESWIPE – Martial Arts Demonstration Team
Sideswipe Martial Arts-based group blends traditional martial arts such as Karate and Tae Kwon Do, with gymnastics and acrobatics to create an extreme high-flying display of talent, strength, and stamina unlike anything else on the planet.
7:30 p.m. THE McNARY EXPERIENCE
The McNary Experience led by lead vocalist Qiana McNary, is a band of highly skilled and talented professionals that play a wide variety of music. Qiana McNary's powerful voice is rich with deep texture. Her classically trained voice is tremendously versatile and emotive. The entire band will send you into music euphoria with their soulful repertoire. From old school to new school, jazz, and funk, this band has everything you need to take you on a musical journey known as The McNary Experience.
Visit their website at https://www.themcnaryexperience.com
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Governors State University Alumni Association joins the Village of Park Forest in celebrating decades of Excellence and Innovation in the Southland.
6:30 p.m. SOUTHLAND ARTS
Governors State University and GSU’s Center for Performing Arts join the Village of Park Forest in celebrating decades of excellence and innovation in the Southland as well as GSU's Birthday.
7:30 p.m. SOUTHLAND JAZZ ENSEMBLE with AVA LOGAN
Southland Jazz Ensemble’s swingin’ and Ava Logan’s singin’, bringing the best of big band music to the stage. Featuring Southland’s finest musicians, the ensemble plays classic hits that will make you want to get up and dance!
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
6:30 p.m. THE BLOOZE BROTHERS
For over a quarter of a century, the Blooze Brothers Band has been one of Chicagoland’s most in-demand show bands and 2020 marked the 40th Anniversary of the original Blues Brothers Movie release. They not only honor the music made by the original Blues Brothers in movies, & TV, but also embrace Soul, R&B, Motown, and, John Belushi’s love of classic rock. Like Aykroyd and Belushi, they fuse those great musical traditions into a stage show that energizes and delights hundreds of thousands of music fans across the greater Chicago area and beyond every year. With a combination of two high-energy frontmen, a dynamic female lead singer, some of Chicago's top musicians, and their 1974 Dodge Monaco Bloozemobile replica, The Blooze Brothers provide a musical experience that can't be beaten!
7:30 p.m. MOVIE NIGHT: THE SUPER MARIO BROS
While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Chris Pratt) and brother Luigi (Charlie Day) are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world. But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi. With the assistance of Mushroom Kingdom resident Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and some training from the strong-willed ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Mario taps into his own power.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Unity Day! Everyone is invited for a night on the town! Music, food, raffles, police emergency vehicles, trucks, and more! Sponsored by the Park Forest Police Department.
6:30 p.m. SPOTLIGHT ON PARK FOREST
Local talent entertains and inspires the audience with opportunities that are available right here in the Southland!
7:30 p.m. FREDI TAYLOR FEATURING NU SOURCE BAND
Chicago-Born vocalist Fredi Taylor started her music career as a child singing in church and grew to become a local and national performing vocalist and a spoken word artist. Fredi has brought together and performed with talented, internationally renowned musicians and always keeps the crowd on their feet, dancing and singing along. This year's Music Project features Nu Source Band and celebrates 25 years in the music industry. Get ready for classic and contemporary R&B hits that span the generations, topped with Fredi's special passionate, high-energy style, that all are sure to enjoy.
Events are subject to change, call 748-2005 to confirm the weekly schedule.