Biloxi Barracks, Driving Dixie, Radio Ranting and Manzini Houdini Set Southland Arts in Motion

Chicago (South Side)

Saint Xavier University presents the Roy Vombreck Orchestra in a free concert on the front lawn of the campus. It's open to all the public, not just students. Picnickers are welcome and several food vendors also will be present selling a variety of yummy food and beverages.

The sounds of the summer will conclude with a brilliant fireworks display at dusk and a patriotic finale.

When: 7 p.m., June 26
Where: Saint Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago
Cost: Free
Information: Saint Xavier University Special Events and 773-297-3748 

Chicago (South Side)

International tour sensation Atlantic Steps crosses the Big Pond from Connemara County to perform historic Irish song and dance, including the ancient art of Barrel Dancing and contemporary step dancing and the Cunningham Family's blend of the old and new.

When: 8 p.m., June 18
Where: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. (corner of Western Avenue), Chicago
Cost: $18 members, $20 non-members
Tickets and information: Beverly Arts Center and 773-445-3838 

Chicago Heights

Union Street Gallery headlines as a major stop-off point in the 2011 (look under "Dixie Highway" below in this article for more details) this weekend. Classic cars will stop by between 10 a.m. and noon and during the day up until 2 p.m. while Drama Group members in 1920s vintage attire will welcome guests.

The gallery itself will feature a traveling exhibit of the as well as works by gallery artists. A vintage clothing sale on the third floor should delight buyers and lookers alike. And of course, there will be free refreshments.

The gallery is located in the original Elks Lodge, built in 1927 when Otto Boulevard was a major area of the Chicago Heights downtown. Many characteristics of the original Elks Lodge structure remain virutally intact including exposed beams inside, skylights and grand floor to ceiling windows on the third floor. 

The exterior brickwork, locally produced terra cotta trim and terra cotta medallion with an elk's head stand as original treasures of the original structure in the early 20th century.

When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., June 18
Where: Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights
Cost: Free
Information: Union Street Gallery online and 708-754-2601 

Chicago Heights

It's absolutely outstanding! Featuring community actors cast in the perfect roles and minimal but perfect sets, the production of Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues is a do not miss!

Simon finds the humor in life's toughest times, including the struggles of basic training for soldiers heading off to the Allied battlefields of World War II. Set in the mid-1940s Biloxi Army base, Biloxi Blues is the second in Simon's semi-autobiographical trilogy that also includes Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound.

Eugene Jerome (superb performance by Fred Harvey), Simon's protagonist, heads to boot camp in Biloxi, MS. Along with the other recruits, Eugene serves under the brutal Sgt. Toomey (think R. Lee Ermey, well-played by Lane Halverson). The play follows Jerome and his bunkmates through the miserable days of basic training and the unexpected loss of one of the recruits.

An unexpected twist rivets the audience toward the end in a production that moves quickly, crisply and professionally under Joe Hoyt's direction with Judie Felix as A.D. This is great fare with a cast of characters you won't forget. 

And yes, Simon, now 83, did enlist in the Army in 1945 at 18. The war ended shortly after he joined the military and while he did not see combat, Simon did serve his nation.

When: 7:30 p.m., June 17, 18, and matinee at 2 p.m., June 19

Where: , 330 W. 202nd St., Chicago Heights

Cost: $18, $17 seniors and students

Tickets and information: 708-755-3444 and the Drama Group online.

Country Club Hills

Silky Soul Night starring Will Downing and Lalah Hathaway will fill the beautiful Country Club Hills Theater, with room for 1,500 guests, with music for all in this mellow, soulful concert.

When: 7 p.m., June 18
Where: Country Club Hills Theater, 4108 W. 183rd St., Country Club Hills
Cost: $$6-$60 for Country Club Hills residents, $20-$65 for non-residents
Tickets and information: Box office, 4108 W. 183rd St. and www.countryclubhillstheater.org 

Dixie Highway

Driving the Dixie returns to the Southland this weekend, a parade of classic cars along the old Dixie Highway, starting in Blue Island and heading on down to Momence. Dixie Highway history buffs of all ages travel the road and make several stops along the way, this year including in Chicago Heights.

Join the cars or join the thousands along the route watching the parade go by. All the details are online but a special stop this year takes place at , located in the old Elks Hall, built in 1927.

Drama Group members in 1920s vintage attire will welcome guests to an exhibit about , a vintage clothing sale and more. Check above in this article under "Chicago Heights" for more details.

Official Driving the Dixie parade participants register at the Blue Island Library, the drive's kick-off point, and there is a fee. Be sure to head to the Driving the Dixie website and check out the vintage Dixie Highway map. It will take you places you never imagined.

When: June 18, registration at 8:30-10 a.m. only
Where: Registration at Blue Island Public Library, 2433 York St., Blue Island 
Cost: Official registration $15, otherwise free
Information: Driving the Dixie online 

Evergreen Park

Author Karin Slaughter talks about her most recent book, Fallen, a novel of murder, hostage-taking and thrilling forensics, at the Evergreen Park Library. Slaughter will have copies of a number of her books for sale at the event.

When: 7 p.m., June 23
Where: Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S. Troy Ave., Evergreen Park
Cost: Free but registration is required by noon June 23.
Information: Evergreen Park Public Library and 708-422-8522 

Flossmoor

The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and Dr. Charles Amenta and Marie Grass Amenta host A Midsummer Night's Dream Musical Feast. Acclaimed concert pianist David Schrader is joined by Benjamin Amenta for an evening for selections from Felix Mendelsson's Midsummer Night's Dream and other pieces. The evening includes cocktails and a full gourmet meal. 

When: 5 p.m., June 25
Where: Amenta home, address provided with reservations
Cost: $100 per person
Tickets and information: 708-481-7774 and Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Frankfort

Escape artist Mario Manzini, listed at the premier performer in his field, presents A Tribute to Harry Houdini during the Frankfort Public Library's Fridays on the Green summer events. This free, all ages event takes place on the Village Green in downtown Frankfort.
When: 10:30 a.m., June 24 
Where: Breidert Green Community Park, downtown Frankfort at Kansas and Ash streets
Cost: Free
Information: Frankfort Public Library and 815-469-2423 

Frankfort

Nick Willett, cover artist and pop singer, presents the first of this summer's Concerts on the Green. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to this all ages free evening of music.

When: 6:30-8 p.m., June 19
Where: Breidert Green Community Park, downtown Frankfort at Kansas and Ash streets; in case of rain concert moves to Frankfort Park District Founders Center, 140 Oak St.
Cost: Free
Information: Frankfort Chamber of Commerce and 814-469-3356 

Homewood

The legendary Buckinghams return to Homewood for the 25th anniversary season of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's Starry Nights Concerts. Guitarist and current lead vocalist Carl Giammarese was just a teenager in 1966  when the Bucks hit the charts big time with Kind of a Drag, followed by several chart-toppers throughout the rest of the 1960s and early '70s. 

Giammarese and bassist Nick Fortuna, the two original Buckinghams, continue to carry on the fabulous hits of then and now with the rest of the current lineup including veteran keyboardist Bruce Soboroff, drummer Rocky Penn and vocalist Dave Zane.

Get the Giammarese scoop next week as SouthScene reports on a recent interview with the veteran entertainer, how today's concerts differ from the early years and find out what Chicago baseball teams own the hearts of Fortuna and Giammarese. Let's just say the veteran entertainers would cheer crosstown. 

When: 7 p.m., June 24
Where: Irwin Park Bandshell 18120 S. Highland Ave. (at Ridge Road), Homewood
Cost: $10, $5 for children
Tickets and information: Homewood-Flossmoor Park District and 708-957-0300. In case of rain, ticket-holders are asked to call 708-957-8152, ext. 19 for an alternate location. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Homewood

The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District continues its summer series of Community Band Concerts, covering a broad repertoire of music including classical masterworks, show-stoppers from Broadway to Hollywood and pop favorites.

When: 8 p.m., June 23, July 14 and 21
Where: Irwin Community Center Bandshell, 18120 S. Highland Ave. (at Ridge Road), Homewood.
Cost: Free
Information: 708-957-7275 

New Lenox

Spotlight Theatre debuts its all-new home in with Eric Bogosian's dark comedy, , a play focused on Barry Champion, described as a "wild card, a maverick" talk radio host. Barry's often outrageous commentary triggers the gamut of reactions from callers, all the way from supportive to genuinely threatening.

The night before his program is picked up by stations across the continental U.S., Barry's boss cautions him to go easy on the air so sponsors do not drop the show before its national debut. 

Spotlight's Jeff Gamlin directs.

"It's a well-written script that rings even truer now than it did when first written (1987)," Gamlin said. "Barry tells listeners, 'Your own lives have become your entertainment.' This is exponentially more true now when you consider the tidal wave of reality shows television currently is awash in..."

"Barry's exchanges with with callers are dramatic, moving, sometimes frightening and often hilarious," Gamlin added. "The play has everything you could want from a night at the theater."

When: 7:30 p.m., June 17,18, 24 and 25; matinees at 3 p.m., June 19 and 26
Where: 22032 Howell Drive, New Lenox
Cost: $14 adults, $12 students and seniors, $10 for New Lenox residents with ID.
Tickets and information: 708-941-8294 and www.spotlight-theater.com.

Orland Park 

Orland Park Public Library kicks off the summer with Limited Edition Big Band, an 18-piece orchestra with a repertoire spanning early jazz to swing, big band and dance music. The free, afternoon, all-ages concert is open to the public.

When: 2-3:30 p.m., June 19
Where: Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Drive, Orland Park
Cost: Free
Information: Orland Park Public Library and 708-428-5100 

Orland Park

Ava Logan, accompanied by her two musicians, returns to the South Suburbs as this most unusual jazz artist and exquisite vocalist performs at 94 West Restaurant. Logan, whose solo star is rising, doubles at as a veterinarian as well, now in research working to improve the health of pets

When: 7:30-10:30 p.m., June 17
Where: 94 West Restaurant, 15410 94th Ave., Orland Park 
Cost: No cover but cost of drinks and/or food
Information: 94 West Restaurant and 708-364-9494 

Palos Hills

Original watercolors, oils, prints, sculptures, photographs, mixed media and more fill the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery as artists from throughout the region display works in this juried show. This free summer show spotlights the broad spectrum and striking talents of community artists.

When: Through Aug. 3; gallery hours 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursdays
Where: Robert F. DeCaprio Gallery, Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills
Cost: Free
Information: www.morainevalley.edu/fpac and 708-974-5500 

Tinley Park

The Nuclear Jazz Quarktet returns to the Vogt Visual Arts Center for another jazz concert night. So why Quarktet? Well, two members are nuclear physicists at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and another member is an electrical engineer at Fermi. So this quintet is, indeed, quite quarky!

When: 7 p.m., July 1
Where: Vogt Visual Arts Center, 17420 67th Court, Tinley Park
Cost: Free
Information: Tinley Park Park District and 7088-633-9129 

Tinley Park

Downtown Tinley Park summer concerts begin with Eleventh Hour rock and cover band based in Chicago. Bring chairs and blankets.

When: 7-10 p.m., June 25
Where: Oak Park Avenue Metra Station, 173rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park
Cost: Free
Information: Village of Tinley Park and 708-444-5678 

University Park

Brainstorm 2011, a national juried art competition at Governors State University, Visual Arts Gallery, features 46 works from the 167 submissions. The exhibit represents 28 artists from across the country. An artists reception later this month will include the award presentation.

When: Brainstorm 2011 runs through June 25; reception 4:3o-7 p.m., June 25. Gallery hours are 2-4:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday; 5-9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; noon-5 p.m., Saturday.
Where: Governors State University (gallery adjacent to E Lounge), 1 University Parkway, University Park
Cost: Free
Information: 708-534-4021 and www.gsuvisualartsgallery.blogspot.com