Skokie's Wednesdays On The Green: Full Schedule Of Free Family Entertainment

SKOKIE, IL — Skokie's weekly free music and family entertainment festival returns this week, as Wednesdays on the Green (WOTG) kicks off its seventh season. There will be free fun every Wednesday night from June 7 to August 23, starting at 7 p.m. on the Village Green, 5155 Oakton Street (south side of Oakton between Skokie Village Hall and the Skokie Public Library. In case of rain, festivities will be moved inside to the library's auditorium.)

WOTG is organized by the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, the Skokie Public Library, the Skokie Park District and the Village of Skokie, and each performance has been sponsored by Evanston Subaru in Skokie.

Check out the full list of performers and dates below:

June 7: Z28

While the universe of live music has become gimmicky and watered down, one Chicago band takes a stand for raw, Whiskey Drinkin’, Guitar Shreddin’, Fist Pumpin’, Rock & Roll! Z28 takes you on a rockin’ roller coaster experience to remember, jammin’ your favorite rock heroes from the 70’s , 80’s, 90’s and today! From AC/DC to ZZ Top with a huge chunk of face-melting tunes ?in between, that you blew the speakers and shattered the T-Tops of your I-Roc Z-28. One thing is for sure… Z28 Will Rock You!

Five of Chicago’s finest rockers that exist for the sole purpose of revvin’ your engine, and squealin’ your tires, invite you to hitch a ride with Z28 for a road trip through the hits that you know every word to, brought to you by the best in the business.

June 14: Spoken Four

Back for another year! You thought live bands in Chicago couldn’t get any more phenomenal. And then Spoken Four hit the stage. Maggie Speaks built a reputation as one of the best live bands in Chicago, for any event, delivering pitch–perfect performances of songs you know by heart and love to hear. Spoken Four took that reputation and upped the ante even further, creating a live band experience that strikes the perfect chord with crowds every single time. Spoken Four delivers astounding performances that’ll make your jaw drop. With a repertoire of songs from the 50s to today’s Top 40, Spoken Four’s vocalists and musicians have mastered every word, every nuance, every soaring note that lifts audiences to their feet and gets them dancing like there’s no tomorrow.

Chicago concerts. Private parties in Barcelona. Corporate events for over 4,000 people. Wherever they go, Spoken Four brings together some of the finest musicians to create productions that make audiences shout for more. Their versatility, energy, and ability to engage a crowd all night long makes their events the one people talk about for years. And quite possibly forever. Created by the supremely popular Chicago live band Maggie Speaks, Spoken Four is there for you, delivering with high–quality sound, experienced performers who keep an audience energized for hours, and DJ–style medleys of crowd favorites that make sure no one ever wants to leave the dance floor.

Kaleidoscope Dance

A top Chicagoland dance studio located at the crossroads of the Skokie and Evanston communities, offers classes for dancers of all ages and abilities in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Tap and Modern. Our professional faculty provides top-notch dance education in a warm, community atmosphere. Most importantly, we keep our class sizes small so each dancer has the opportunity to receive personal attention and therefore, progress at a faster pace. We are actively involved in the community, such as sponsoring the Wednesdays on the Green program in downtown Skokie and providing complimentary dance lessons for all who participate.Kaleidoscope Dance and Movement Center provides quality dance technique and instruction with emphasis on: the discipline of dance while remembering the joy of movement; respect for mind, body and soul; and expectations for each dancer to reach his or her individual potential.At Kaleidoscope, we understand that dance education is more than just instruction. We believe in promoting positive self-esteem while instilling the love and appreciation for dance and movement. Our expectation is for each dancer to reach his/her potential and we provide individual attention, no matter the level.

June 21: Animal Quest - Kids and Family Night

One for the kids – Join us for Animal Quest a interactive hour of fun with animals.

June 28: The Empty Pockets with Kaleidoscope Dance

Quirky and charismatic, The Empty Pockets craft rootsy, often-cerebral and always-catchy Americana rock ‘n roll with a smack of Texas saloon and a taste of Motown soul. It was a scorching Chicago summer in 2006 when long-time friends Josh Solomon, Danny Rosenthal and Nate Bellon officially became a band. After recording their first original demo, the boys starred in a 2007 theatrical production of the Buddy Holly Story which served as a showcase for the new group. Playing as Buddy Holly and the Crickets each night was a rock and roll roots education that left an indelible mark on The Empty Pockets’ music, focusing their sound on driving rockabilly grooves thick with rhythm and blues, and thoughtful melodies and harmonies in classic pop song structures.

With the Buddy Holly buzz, the boys went back in the studio to complete an album of their original music. They released “Under the Bed” using early band name, “Josh & the Empty Pockets,” at the beginning of 2008 – a fun, multifaceted album so full of catchy refrains that Nickelodeon licensed the album in it‘s entirety for the shows; iCarly, Zoey101 and Drake & Josh. Having recently finished their first full-length album in the studio they built with their bare hands, The Empty Pockets pride themselves on delivering what they call, “handcrafted rock and roll.” These new songs showcase the group’s rich, analog sound, as well as the skillful musicianship, fearless singing and spirited showmanship true to their performances onstage. Catch the band as they travel the country in their van, The Pocket Rocket.

July 5: Skokie Theatre - Skokie Idol Winners Concert

The Skokie Theatre is sponsoring its second annual Skokie Idol! Just like the famous television show, contestants will perform each week in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. Every week, someone will be eliminated until only one person remains. That person will be featured at a Wednesday On The Green concert in Downtown Skokie, Summer of 2017.

July 12: Shout Out

Shout Out is comprised of some of Chicago’s finest professional musicians, Shout Out performs a wide variety of music from the 60’s through today’s top hits. You will hear all of your favorite Top 40 radio hits from artists like Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Usher and Maroon 5. They are also well versed in the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s. Created by the national award winning band Maggie Speaks, Shout Out will keep you dancing all night long.

July 19: Wendy and DB

Interactive Children’s Music Show for Kids & Families Fun Songs. Positive Lyrics. Let Your Imagination Soar “It’s A Doo Da Day” Winner of 2015 Parents’ Choice & NAPPA Awards

July 26: Hillbilly Rockstarz

The Hillbilly Rockstarz specialize in covering the latest hits in country music, and some of your older favorites, always true to the original, simply put this bands got you covered. These players have one thing in common, the desire to play great radio friendly country music. Country Music fans love the connection they have with their audience. Every show is guaranteed Good time’s…Hillbilly style!

Watching the Hillbillyz live is an experience you won’t forget, Rockin that country music for y’all, week after week always mixing up your favorite top 40 hitz. One minute, jammin’ some Little Big Town then Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Billy Currington, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Big & Rich and yes…even a lil Taylor Swift, next they will hit you with some #1 hitz by Keith Urban, Bon Jovi, Guns & Roses and Gretchen Wilson. Hillbilly Rockstarz versatility is just what they do and do it well. Not only do they cover the best country songs heard on radio today, but they can also mix in some cool rock tunes too, satisfying everyone’s taste.

August 2: Michael Lerich Orchestra - Evanston Subaru in Skokie Night

A great band doesn’t necessarily mean a great party! But, take a great bandleader fronting a team of young and hip musicians and singers and you are assured of a “great” party! And that is what you will get with Michael Lerich and his Orchestra. A very special thanks to Rob and Ray from Evanston Subaru in Skokie for this show and the entire summer. WOTG has spent six years of summers on the Village Green because of their generosity.

August 9: The Kelson Twins

The Kelson Twins is an Americana duo who captivates audiences with their tight harmonies, poetic lyrics and catchy melodies. Maddie and Juliet’s “twinship” not only enables their voices to blend seamlessly, but also results in effortless, funny onstage banter that makes audiences feel instantly at home. From the time they could talk, the twins were singing along to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Bonnie Raitt and Dolly Parton. Writing original songs from the age of 12, they have combined blues, country and rock influences in a way that gives their music a unique yet familiar sound.

At the age of 15 they began playing in clubs around the Chicago area, with audience members often commenting that they were “well beyond their years” in both the nature of their material and their presence on stage. Only a few years later, they were being invited to perform at significant local and national events including the Mayoral Election Night Party for Chuy García and The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Annual Luncheon. During their Junior year of high school, The Kelson Twins raised over $10,000 on Indiegogo to produce their debut EP, Best of (So Far), which was released in the summer of 2015. In the fall of 2015, they recorded a Daytrotter session that included three previously unreleased songs. The session was released in January, 2016.

August 16: Kaleidoscope Dance Kidz Bop Dance Night With Classy Clown - Kids and Family Night

Join us for a night of fun for the kids of dance and activities for the young ones. Kaleidoscope Dance, a top Chicagoland dance studio located at the crossroads of the Skokie and Evanston communities, offers classes for dancers of all ages and abilities in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Tap and Modern. Our professional faculty provides top-notch dance education in a warm, community atmosphere. Most importantly, we keep our class sizes small so each dancer has the opportunity to receive personal attention and therefore, progress at a faster pace. We are actively involved in the community, such as sponsoring the Wednesdays on the Green program in downtown Skokie and providing complimentary dance lessons for all who participate. Also featuring the Classy Clown with face painting and balloons.

August 23: Chicago Soul Revue

Come out and hear some great music and join in the dance with that great Motown sound from Chicago Soul Revue. According to the Chicago Soul Revue’s web site: The Chicago Soul Revue is an authentic tribute to the classic soul of Motown, Memphis, Philly and Chicago. We will take you on a voyage to the late sixties where Aretha Franklin was Queen and Motown was the “it” on the radio. Lead vocalist Felicia Patton and one of the most serious backing bands in Chicago will give you a taste of soul that will keep you on your feet and make you weak in the knees. If you love Bill Withers, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Clarence Carter and Aretha you’ll love CSR.

» Find out more at the WOTG Facebook Page, or visit www.wednesdaysonthegreen.com for a full WOTG 2017 lineup and for information on the Wednesday night specials at Downtown Skokie restaurants.

Top photo: Courtesy Skokie's Wednesdays on the Green