Music on Grand returns
The village of Brookfield continues its monthly Music on Grand summer outdoor dining/concert festival this weekend, highlighted by live music throughout the day on July 30 in the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard.
The street will be closed from early July 29 until early on Aug. 1, and a north-facing stage will be at the south end of the block between Sebastian’s and Brookfield Breakfast. Expanded outdoor dining available all three days, but live entertainment is limited to July 30 from noon to 10 p.m.
Headliners this weekend are Morry Sorchat and Special 20’s, who will offer up classic Chicago blues with swing and rock from the 1950s starting at 6 p.m. Radio Gaga, a cover band dedicated to the music of Lady Gaga and Queen, hits the stage at 8:30 p.m. Those coming for the music only are invited to bring chairs and blankets and pick a spot near the stage.
Learn about and experience old-time baseball
Go back in time and see how baseball was played in its infancy at a pair of events this week exploring the growth of the game in the 19th century.
On July 28 at 7 p.m. discover how baseball and the western frontier developed from Abilene, Kansas, to Tombstone, Arizona, during “Baseball in the Wild West” at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave. Register at 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or online.
Then the Frederick Law Olmsted Society invites you see how the game was played back then by watching the Chicago Salmon face off against the Blue Island Brewmasters during a vintage baseball game at Big Ball Park, Delaplaine and Longcommon roads in Riverside, on July 30 at 1 p.m. Players will square up in period-appropriate clothing and equipment and play by 1860s rules.
Recycling 101
Join Kate Carney, outreach coordinator for the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability, and learn how to create less waste and how to properly recycle various materials during “Waste Reduction & Recycling Right,” a virtual program hosted by North Riverside Public Library on Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.
Learn where your trash and recyclables go when they leave your home and guidelines to follow when making decisions on how to dispose of items.
Register to attend online.
Summer concerts continue
There are more outdoor concerts on tap this week in North Riverside, Brookfield and at Brookfield Zoo
On July 28, North Riverside continues its Rockin’ in the Park series from 7 to 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the North Riverside Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. Listen to the cover band sensation Sushi Roll. Free admission but no outside food/drink. Concessions available. Concert held inside if there’s rain.
On July 29 at 7 p.m. at the band shell at Kiwanis Park, Arden and Brookfield avenues in Brookfield, you can rock out to party jams from the 1960s to the present courtesy of FeelGood. Also free, and you are welcome to bring picnic items.
Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., wraps up its Twilight Tunes series on July 29 with the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band Southern Accents and on July 30 with House Party.
Bands take the stage at 7 p.m. on the zoo’s East Mall. Twilight Tunes is a limited-capacity event and concert tickets (in addition to zoo general admission and parking) are required. Visit CZS.org/TwilightTunes to purchase concert tickets.
Find your own food, right outside
Many animals and humans find their food outside if they know what they’re looking for. Families with kids in grades K-5 can find out more by attending “Finding Food al Fresco” on July 28 at 2 p.m. in the Community Room of the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road.
Join experts from the Brookfield Zoo as they discuss unexpected places where our wildlife neighbors — and people — can find food outdoors. Children must bring an adult. Registration (each individual) required online. Food will not be served or consumed at the workshop.
And more
- The Frederick Law Olmsted Society continues its seasonal walking tours of Riverside, highlighting the village’s design, history and architecture on July 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. The tour will cover the area north of the railroad tracks. Tours are $20 per person ($15 for seniors 62+ and Olmsted Society members). Meet at the Riverside Train Depot (east side of platform) at 90 Bloomingbank Road. Reservations required. Email tours@olmstedsociety.com or call 708-447-7635 to make reservations. Payment is made via PayPal or credit card only at olmstedsociety.org.
- Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents the RAC Members Exhibition in the Freeark gallery and the RAC Kids Show in the FlexSpace Gallery through July 30. There’s also “Endless,” featuring the work of Darrell Roberts, in the outdoor Sculpture Garden through Oct. 29. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. There’s also an exhibition featuring the work of Madelyn Roldan and Oakley McCormack in the lobby of the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, through Sept. 29. Regular viewing hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit online for more.
- The Riverside Farmers Market operates each Wednesday through Oct. 5 from 2:30 to 7 p.m. in Centennial Park, at Forest Avenue and Longcommon Road. The Brookfield Farmers Market returns every Saturday through Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.
- North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to make an appointment to visit the Ancestry Help Desk on July 29 between 2 and 6 p.m. There’s also Crafterdarks: Strawberry Treat Cups on July 28 at 6 p.m.; Club de Lectura (in person) discussing “De Ninguna Parte” by Julia Navarro on July 29 at 10:30 a.m.; Anime Club (grades 6-12) on July 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.; and Stretching and Meditation by telephone (312-626-6799, code 777067) on Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Register for programs online.
- Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Chair Yoga (virtual) on July 28 at 11 a.m.; Movies with Marty Revolutionary Comedy Double Feature with “George Washington Slept Here” a starring Jack Benny and Abbott & Costello’s “The Time of Their Lives” on July 30 at 1 p.m.; Loom Weaving for Seniors on Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Maker Studio; Art Therapy for Seniors on Aug. 3 at 11 a.m.; and Chair Zumba on Aug. 3 at 1:30 p.m. Call 708-485-6917 or visit online to register for programs.
- Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites you to Bingo in the Community Room on July 28 at 11 a.m.; All Ages Outdoor Yoga Storytime on July 29 at 10:30 a.m.; and Family Playtime all day in the Programs Room on July 30. To register for programs visit online.
- The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts.
