Snake Oil Bandits perform during Fox Lake’s 2021 summer concert series. (Village of Fox Lake)

Singer and pianist Michael Lescher opens the annual Fox Lake Friday night summer concert series June 3 at the Community Garden Green.  “He’s performed for us many times and he’s a favorite,” said Matt Trujillo, parks and recreation manager for the Village of Fox Lake.

Tickets are free. Patrons should bring lawn chair or blanket and snacks, if they wish, to listen to various genres each Friday except Aug. 12, through Sept. 30.  The mayor’s annual fish fry is on Aug. 12.

Concertgoers can arrive at 6 p.m. on opening day to see the unveiling of the Fox Lake Summer Art Series art exhibit created by the Grant Community High School National Art Honor Society. The  exhibit can be viewed throughout the concert series season.

”The students have taken the lead on this project, and put together a theme of growth which will be displayed through different art mediums,” Trujillo said. “Some of the artwork was created digitally, but art that was done on canvas or paper has been digitally scanned to be displayed outside at the exhibit.”

Fox Lake started Friday night concert series in 2019 — they were an hour long and now have been extended by a half hour.

“Fox Lake looks for a variety of genres and finds music by recommendations from the community or at other events in the Lake County area,” Trujillo said. “Many performers that you will see this year have performed for the Village last year, and continue to come back to this concert series. All the musicians bring a unique touch to the Fox Lake summer series.”

Music styles include classic rock, contemporary pop, bluegrass, country, Irish and Motown, with varied instruments including acoustic guitar, saxophone and piano.

June 3: Michael Lescher, classic rock singer and pianist, regularly performs at Shirley’s Piano Bar in Barrington.

June 10: Big Fish performs swing, bluegrass and folk music.

June 17: The Shape Shifters focuses on various popular hits.

June 24: Joe Powers Band returns for another season to play country music.

July 1: Jim Green plays acoustic guitar using a percussive style that includes finger tapping and unusual guitar tunings. He has opened for America and other classic rock groups.

July 8: Lisa Marie will sing original songs.  She performed at last year’s concert series.

July 15: Lord Waffle, a Chicago-based group, performs rock fusion.

July 22: School of Rock Libertyville features one of its youth rock bands.

July 29: 176 South, an adult rock band, has performed at various venues in Lake County.

Aug. 5: M2 performs acoustic rock and pop covers and is a returning band to the series.

Aug. 19: Slam Funk, a youth band, performs Motown music.

Aug. 26: Edizon Dayao performs music from the 1960s to the present on saxophone.

Sept. 2: Ray Florenza, conductor of the Southwest Community Concert Band, will perform on saxophone.

Sept. 9: Galaxy Performing Strings is a group of violinists ages 10-16. They debuted at the Woodstock Opera House.

Sept. 16: Tamara Woodruff will sing and perform pop music on piano.

Sept. 23: Bridgeport Ramblers, an acoustic group from Wauconda, performs Irish pub music.

Sept. 30: Blue Sirens, a female acoustic duo, performs current hits.

Fox Lake Friday Night Concert Series and Art Show

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Fridays June 3-Sept. 30, except Aug. 12

Where: Community Garden Green, 17 E. School St., Fox Lake

Information: 224-225-1404, foxlake.org

Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.