Downtown Elgin Live Music & Entertainment Scene - July 14-18

The Heat is ON...and no we're not talking about LeBron, Bosh and D-Wade converging on South Beach. Welcome to the "Dog Days" of a summer swelter, friends! Why not beat the heat with some cool live entertainment this weekend? That's how we roll in Downtown Elgin. Here's the rundown:

Mad Maggies
51 S. Grove
847-531-5883
http://www.madmaggies.net/

Wednesday, July 14

Jmurder with Cool Neighbors, Chris Picasso, L.R. and Dio
Cover: TBD
21 and over
Doors: 6:00pm
Show: 6:30pm

Friday, July 16

Animal House
$8.00
21 and over
Doors: 9:30pm
Show: 10:30pm

Saturday, July 17

Amber Pacific
$14.00
All Ages
Doors: 4:30pm
Show: 5:00pm

Sunday, July 18

The Kobanes with Ripstick and Insufficient Funds
$7.00
All Ages
Doors: 6:00pm
Show: 6:30pm


Gasthaus Zur Linde
15 N. Grove Avenue
847-695-8828

Wednesday, July 14
Sandwords, Marvin Berry & The New Sound, Here Goes Nothing and The Oil Can Boys

Friday, July 16
The Lustkillers

Saturday, July 17
Old School Metal


Elgin Public House/Pub 217
219 E. Chicago Street
847-468-8810
http://www.elginpublichouse.com/

Friday, July 16
Hyperplasia

Saturday, July 17
WestBury


And don't forget Elgin Summer Theater's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which debuts at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, for a two-weekend engagement beginning this Friday, July 16. The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless. Showtimes this weekend are Friday & Saturday, July 16 & 17 at 8pm and Sunday, July 18 at 3pm. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at The Hemmens' Box Office by phone at 847.931.5900 or online at http://www.hemmens.org/

Remember that bands, ticket prices and performance times are subject to change so we ask that you please call or visit each venue's website for ticket information, performance times or for any applicable cover charges.

Feast for the Senses in Downtown Elgin - July 31 & August 1

Downtown Elgin will be the center of activity on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, when four exciting events will be presented in conjunction with each other in downtown Elgin.

ART & SOUL ON THE FOX

Art For All hosts its second annual art show featuring over 80 fine artists and artisans. The show will take place in Elgin’s downtown throughout DuPage Court, South Grove, Spring and Fulton Streets. The event runs from 11am–7pm on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 and features canvas, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, and mixed media. Admission is free. The juried art show is sponsored by Art For All with $1000 in cash awards and up to $2000 in additional awards given by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission. The event's proceeds will once again benefit, by way of grant, future young artists. Learn more at www.artforall-elgin.com.

WALKABOUT: THEATER ON YOUR FEET

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission presents its third annual theater walk featuring five theater groups performing five short plays in five very different places making up one memorable experience. This year’s theme is "Hidden Places, Found Spaces" and will feature off-the-beaten path locations. Janus Theatre, Nothing Special Productions, Vex Theatre, Envision Theatre, and the Great American Artistic Consortium are performing. The show runs Saturdays, July 31, August 7 and 14, starting at 1pm with tours every 20 minutes until 2:20 p.m. Admission is $15 paid by cash at the door. Walkabout starts at Elgin Public House, 219 East Chicago Street. Call 847.841.1713 for reservations. Learn more at http://www.elginwalkabout.blogspot.com/.

BICYCLES ON PARADE – ART IN MOTION

The Elgin Community Network is pedaling out something new with its latest public art show – Bicycles on Parade. There will be a live auction on Sunday, August 1 at 1pm where the public can bid on beautiful, hand-painted bicycles. Proceeds benefit neighborhood programs. A silent auction will be held Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 including a Nintendo Wii, Taste of Elgin Basket, and many gift certificates. Thousands of votes have already been cast for the "Community's Favorite Bike". Learn more at http://www.elgin-ecn.org/ or http://www.gailborden.info/.

PASSEGGIATA – THE LITTLE STROLL

See the art then stay for the stroll. Announcing Elgin’s first-ever Passeggiata - a moveable feast of music, food, performance and spectacle. One night only on Saturday, July 31. Take a walk under the stars and twinkling lights where outdoor café seating, live music and dance awaits to envelop you at some of Elgin’s finest downtown establishments. The opening celebration kicks off Saturday at 7pm in DuPage Court between Mad Maggie’s and Al’s Café. Learn more on Facebook at Art & Soul on the fox, or http://www.artforall-elgin.com/.

This Week at the Harvest Market - July 15

The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market continues its landmark tenth season this Thursday, July 15, from 10am-4pm. The Harvest Market runs every Thursday thru October 7 at the Civic Parking Lot at the corner of Highland and Douglas Avenues near City Hall.

This week Mad Discs & Dyes will be on hand conducting a tie-dying demonstration and selling various tie-dyed shirts. Representatives from the Frock Swap Committee will also be in attendance promoting their Wardrobe Renewal Event (benefitting the Community Crisis Center) which takes place at The Hemmens Cultural Center at 45 Symphony Way on August 5th.

While offering a wide variety of fresh, locally grown and produced vegetables, fruits, plants, bread, meats, cheeses, jams and spices, the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market really is much more than just a Farmers’ Market.

On the first Thursday of each new month, the Harvest Market rolls out its special promotional market entitled “First Thursday”. During “First Thursday” the market extends business hours by two hours from 10am-6pm and features cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, art exhibits, health and wellness seminars, guided walking tours of Downtown Elgin and much more.

If you haven't been to one of our "First Thursday" markets, click here to see what you've been missing!

Our next “First Thursday” market takes place on Thursday, August 5. Among the confirmed attractions for August include:

• August 1-7 is National Farmers’ Market Week and we will be celebrating all day with several promotions and giveaways!
• Steve Thoren will have his Model T car on display in advance of the 100th Anniversary of the Elgin Historic Road Rally which takes place at Sherman West Court at 1950 Larkin Avenue on Sunday, August 8.
• Chef Virginia Lopez will conduct a cooking demonstration.
• Live music performances by Riverside Chorus and The Fox River Trio.
• The Centre of Elgin will conduct live fitness/healthy living seminars.
• Antique treasure hunt with Collingbourne’s Interesting Things, PK’s Antiques, Elgin Antiques and Uniques, Rediscover Records and Two Doors Down.

Nestled in the heart of historic Downtown Elgin within minutes of the Grand Victoria Casino, Metra and the scenic Fox River, and within walking distance from Downtown’s dining and shopping district, the Harvest Market attracts hundreds of local residents and workers each and every week.

For more information about the 2010 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market, please call Jason Pawlowski, Promotions Coordinator for the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin, at (847) 488-1456 or e-mail: jpawlowski@elginil.org