Summer tunes at sunset return to iconic Blackberry Farm for the 11th season of Live & Uncorked – the Fox Valley Park District’s (FVPD) outdoor concert series that plays on Thursdays at its 55-year-old living history museum.
For eight weeks beginning Thursday, June 6, through Thursday, Aug. 1, Summer concertgoers can enjoy the sounds of Chicagoland’s most popular cover bands. Gates will open at 6:15 p.m., and shows run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Blackberry’s Performance Pavilion in the middle of the Park. There will not be a concert Thursday, July 4.
Tickets are $8 per person any day before the event or $10 day-of. Diehard concertgoers can save more by purchasing a season pass for $56., which allows access to all eight performances. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online, or in advance at Blackberry Farm, Vaughan Athletic Center, Prisco and Eola Community Centers, or Cole Center.
Live & Uncorked caters to the 21-and-over crowd, and patrons are permitted to bring their own appetizers and alcohol. Through the years, the event has evolved “from coolers and snacks to full-blown spreads with wagons, collapsible tables, charcuterie boards and sandwiches,” said Becky Harling, facility manager at Blackberry Farm. “It’s fun and lively like a tailgate party atmosphere inside the park–and that’s before the concert even begins.”
New this year are food and beverage options for purchase inside the park at Blackberry’s Summer Kitchen. Items such as cheeseburgers, hotdogs, fries, ice cream bars, soda, water and freshly-squeezed lemonade will be available. Harling said staff membes have “gotten feedback from more and more people thinking we provided food, or are just looking for more food items.
“We’ll have grab-n-go items that people can enjoy,” Harling said. “It’s a nice way to add to what you’ve already got going or, hey, you’re running straight from work and don’t have time to pick up food? We can help you out.”
Here’s a look at the Summer lineup:
- Billy Elton (legendary songs of Billy Joel and Elton John), June 6;
- 7th Heaven (a journey through rock and pop), June 13;
- Libido Funk Circus (dedication to disco), June 20;
- R Gang (R&B from Motown era to 21st century), June 27;
- Dancing Queen (a salute to ABBA), July 11;
- Buckle (Chicagoland’s hottest country-rock band), July 18;
- The Breakfast Club (rock-dance 80s tribute), July 25;
- Semple (70s rock to modern pop), August 1.
More than 5,300 concertgoers collectively attended the eight Live & Uncorked shows in 2023.
“People enjoy it because it’s an adults-only, laid-back, event with a variety of bands,” Harling said. “It’s a very chill, party-type atmosphere, the ambience is amazing at sunset, and it’s just a really cool opportunity to unwind and get an early jump on the weekend.”
—Fox Valley Park District