SouthScene Arts Round-Up: 'Footloose' on Stage, iPad Artists and More

Beverly - Footloose on Stage

What happens when a city kid who loves rock 'n roll and dancing moves to a small town where the village fathers have outlawed such wild, rambunctious music and movement? Who changes, the teen or the village elders?

Follow this charming musical as the 99th Street Summer Theatre Festival returns with a full theater production of the 1984 hit film, Footloose. The show runs for three nights only and promises great music and loads of fun for all.

When: 8 p.m., July 7, 8 and 9
Where: Baer Theatre, 2153 W. 111th Street, Chicago
Cost: $16, $14 seniors and children 10 and younger
Tickets and information: 773-881-6512 

Chicago Heights - iPads as Artist Pads

Imagine an iPad in the world of visual arts.

Award-winning nationally recognized artist Sergio Gomez explores man's voyage through life, including elements of his own story, in an exhibit at Union Street Gallery.

With bold acrylics, mysterious and dramatic charcoals and metal etchings from works designed on and transferred from his iPad, Gomez explores in his works the concepts of good and evil, absence and presence and his longtime search for his own identity in his one-man exhibit, Voyages.

Galleries and museums throughout the country have exhibited Gomez's works, including Chicago's own Museum of Science and Industry and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Gomez will demonstrate his talents and create a visual work of art in the gallery while his exhibit continues on display.

When: July 6-Aug. 6. Artist's reception is 6-9 p.m., July 8, and gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 6 p.m., Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.
Where: Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights
Cost: Free
Information: 708-754-2601 and the gallery website

Chicago Heights - Free Play Reading

He's laughing on the outside, struggling with every word on the inside. Jackie Dwayne takes the audience back to the mid-20th century comedy era when every kid working the Catskills resorts prayed for that big break, that chance to perform on a late night talk show seen by millions.

The Drama Group presents a free informal script-in-hand reading of playwright Jim Geoghan's Only Kidding. The script follows the fictional Dwayne's angst and agony, hopes and fears as he works his one-liners to to audiences that just might include a talent agent dazzled by his work.

When: 7:30-10 p.m., July 9
Where: Drama Group Studio Theatre, 330 202nd St., Chicago Heights
Cost: Free
Information: 708-755-3444 and the Drama Group online

Country Club Hills - R&B Hits Stage

Singer-songwriter and R&B artist and musician Brian McKnight and the sultry talents of Terisa Griffin light up the stage at the Country Club Hills Theater. Both acclaimed artists have garnered rave reviews and huge audiences and this show brings both to the stage for a memorable night of entertainment.

When: 7 p.m., July 9
Where: Country Club Hills Theater, 4116 W. 183rd St., Country Club Hills
Cost: $15 to $ 80 for residents, $20 to $95 non-residents
Tickets and information: Theater box office at 4108 W. 183rd St., and at the theater website 

Evergreen Park - Gardener Talk

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?" Well, if Mary (or anyone else for that matter) would like some help from a professional, she should mark July 7 on her calendar for a grand garden gala (sort of) at Evergreen Park Public Library.

Cathy Jean Maloney, author of The Gardener's Cottage will talk about her new book which focuses on the grounds of the Gardener's Cottage in the National Historic Landmark of Riverside, famous for its Frank Lloyd Wright influence and Jens Jensen landscape architecture.

Maloney also will sign copies of her book, available for purchase, at this special event gardening lovers will not want to miss.

When: 6:30 p.m., July 7
Where: Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S. Troy Ave., Evergreen Park
Cost: Free
Information: Registration required at 708-422-8522 and at the Evergreen Park Public Library online.

Frankfort - Free Concert

Sunday, July 3, brings a star-spangled evening to Frankfort's Concerts on the Green free summer series. Bring chairs or blanket and get ready to celebrate as the Frankfort Brass Band kicks off the evening at 4:30 p.m. followed by the American Legion Band at 6 p.m.

When: 4:30 p.m., July 3
Where: Breidert Green Community Park, White and Kansas streets, Frankfort Historic District
Cost: Free
Information: 815-469-3356 and Frankfort Chamber of Commerce 

Frankfort - Dance Music

Music, music, music – rain or shine – at CD & ME. This weekend DotDotDot performs high energy dance and party covers at one of the region's most popular intimate concert venues.

When: Doors open at 6 p.m., band begins at 8 p.m., July 7.
Where: CD & ME, 23320 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort
Cost: $7
Tickets and information: 815-469-7315, CD & ME online and at the door

Homer Glen - Broadway Nostalgia

Victorian Village presents its second free event in its open-to-all Summer Concert Series featuring Phil and Amy with their Broadway Nostalgia Show. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. The venue will provide free snacks for all guests.

When: 6:30-7:30 p.m., July 7
Where: Victorian Village, 12600 Renaissance Circle, Homer Glen 
Cost: Free
Information: Victorian Village and 708-301-0800 

Oak Forest - Moe, Moe, Moe, Moe and Moe

Five Guys Named Moe, one of the regions most popular cover bands, take the mainstage to close out Friday night's big doings at Oak Fest 2011.

When: 9:30 p.m. to midnight, July 1
Where: Oak Fest, 159th Street and Central Aveue, Oak Forest
Cost: Admission free
Information: Oak Fest online 

Oak Lawn - 1960s Flashback

They're coming! The New Invaders invade Oak Lawn with the Ultimate 60s Flashback sounds. The free summer concert at the Oak Lawn Park District Village Green will fill the air with vocal covers of legendary sounds from the 1960s – from the British Invasion to the music of Peace and Flower Power, Haight Ashbury and the historic Woodstock, the 1969 music festival every rock fan knows.

Bring blankets, chairs, refreshments or even complete picnics for a night of classic rock and for those who remember the 1960s, a night of memories as well.

When: 7-9:30 p.m., July 10
Where: Oak Lawn Village Green, 95th Street and Cook Avenue, Oak Lawn
Cost: Free
Information: 708-499-7837 and Oak Lawn village website  

Palos Hills - Juried Art Show

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 

Park Forest - Photo Exhibit

Shouts and Whispers, a lifetime in photography retrospective exhibition by Donald W. Kouba, continues at Tall Grass Gallery.

In his artist's statement, Kouba says, "A (photographic) shot is a public proclamation, an emphatic call to a mass audience, a bold outburst of emotion ... A whisper, on the other hand, is intended as an intimate, private communication between two friends ..."

When: Exhibit runs through July 17, and gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Where: Tall Grass Gallery, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
Cost: Free
Information: www.tallgrassarts.org and 708-748-3377 

Tinley Park - Quarktet Has Strange Charm

It's a double header! 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!

In addition to music, the arts center welcomes artists of Plein Air, or outdoor painters to the gallery. This group of artists meets almost flash mob style. No texting, but the artists meet at pre-planned and different locations to execute their talents with brush, charcoal, pencil or any other tools of their trade to capture the scene as each sees it. 

Refreshments, artists and great jazz combine for a memorable, and free, summer evening tonight.

When: 7 p.m., July 1
Where: Vogt Visual Arts Center, 17420 67th Court, Tinley Park
Cost: Free
Information: Tinley Park Park District and 708-633-9129 

Tinley Park - Concert in the Park

Swing, jazz, pops and a repertoire of music for all ages will fill the Tinley Park Concert in the Park with the Peter Oprisko Quintet at the Gazebo at Bettenhausen Recreation Center. Bring blankets, chairs and plan to relax and enjoy the sounds of summer.

When: 7-8:30 p.m., July 10
Where: Bettenhausen Recreation Center Gazebo Stage, 8125 W. 121st St., Tinley Park
Cost: Free
Information: 708-342-4212 

Tinley Park - '80s Cover Band

From AC/DC to ZZ Top, from the 1980s to the 2010s, 4 Cast cover band covers them all at the Music in the Plaza Concert, another free night of great entertainment in Tinley Park.

When: 7-10 p.m., July 9
Where: Oak Park Avenue at 173rd Street Metra station plaza, Tinley Park
Cost: Free
Information: 708-444-5678 and Tinley Park village website

University Park - Social Ills as Comic Book Covers

Don't Shoot the Messenger, graduate student Wayon Collins' thesis exhibit, opens July 7 and continues through July 12 at the Governors State University Visual Arts Gallery. A  July 12 reception for the artist is open to the public.

Collins' distinctive artworks view modern day problems as comic book covers and via iconic posters of activists who have taken vocal stands against social injustices. Collins has exhibited works at various galleries in the Chicagoland area.

When: July 7-12; reception 7-9 p.m. July 12. Gallery hours are 2-4:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday; 5-9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 12-5 p.m., Saturday.
Where: Governors State University, Visual Arts Gallery, 1 University Parkway, University Park.
Cost: Free
Information: 708-534-4021 and  Visual Arts Gallery