Thursday was the last night of the 2016 Republican National Convention and Donald Trump officially accepted the party’s nomination for President. As I caught glimpses of his speech here and there on my television, I couldn’t help but notice that every time he gave a dual “thumbs up” or said “Make America Great Again,” I heard a loud crack of thunder and saw bright lightning bolts shoot across the sky. To me, last night’s storm might have been Oak Park’s way of expressing its distaste for the situation… Or maybe that was the Village’s way of getting excited about the news; I can’t be sure.
The only thing I am sure of is this Village and what is happening in it over the weekend. Love Trump? Go out and celebrate his nomination. Hate Trump? Go out and enjoy yourself before he gets closer to actually being in the White House and you’re forced to move out of the country.
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Live Music at FatDuck Tavern – Vince Mammoser
Friday from 9-11 p.m.
Acoustic guitar player and singer Vice Mammoser is coming to FatDuck in Forest Park on Friday night to play from 9-11 p.m. If you like cold beer and soothing tunes, the tavern on Madison Street might be the best place to forget about the events that transpired at the RNC in Cleveland last night. Drink specials include $3.50 Miller Lite and Coors Lite drafts. FatDuck is located at 7218 Madison Street in Forest Park.
The Rooftop at Avenue Ale House
Enjoy the warm weather with a cold beer at the rooftop at Avenue Ale House, 825 South Oak Park Avenue. Menu items include finger foods such as fish tacos at $5 each. Drink specials include $5 Beer n’ Bourbon, Bloodies, Bellinis, and Mimosas, and $12 domestic buckets. Besides the specials, Ave Ale House has over 100 varieties of beer to choose from.
Opening Weekend for The Taming of the Shrew
It’s opening weekend for the Oak Park Festival Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew: a comedy about a drunk named Christopher Sly who believes himself to be a nobleman. The play will be shown at Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Avenue, Oak Park. A free preview show is taking place Friday at 8 p.m. Opening night is Saturday at 8 p.m., and there will be a third show Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $29 for general admission, $26 for seniors, $15 for students, children under 12 and dogs are free. To purchase, visit oakparkfestivaltheatre.com.
Pokémon Go in Oak Park
If you’re one of the millions of people to get swept up in the Pokémon Go craze, we want you to share your photos of Pokémon creatures around Oak Park. So, if you see Pikachu at Lake Theater while you’re out to the movies this weekend or Charizard at Scoville Park during the Summer Concert Series, send them to us so we can share it! Head to our Instagram account @aroundoakpark and DM us the photos OR you can email kelli@aroundoakpark.com. You will be credited for the pictures and it will be shared with our social media followers!
Oak Park Farmers Market
Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Oak Park Farmers Market is now in its 41st annual year. Items for sale include locally grown produce, flowers, bedding plants, honey, cheese, frozen meat, bread, and doughnuts. Cash is the preferred method of payment but credit and debit are available depending on the vendor. The Farmers Market is located in the Pilgrim Congregational Church parking lot, 460 Lake Street.
Summer Fridays on Madison in Forest Park
The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting the “Summer Fridays on Madison” shopping promotion once again this week. According to the FP Chamber website, participants can enjoy exclusive discounts at participating shops such as American Artworks Gallery, Bliss Fashion Lounge, Camille et Famille, deedee & edee, Girlicious, Jayne, Madison Street Shoes, Team Blonde, Todd & Holland and Yearbook.
5th Annual Sculpture Walk
The 5th Annual Oak Park Sculpture Walk features 12 sculptures from various local artists. The sculptures can be viewed as a part of the outdoor exhibit in Mills Park near Pleasant and Home Avenues. The walking tour will be open for public viewing until Sept. 5.
Free Summer Concert Series at Scoville Park
Sunday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Enjoy free concerts on Sundays throughout the summer at Scoville Park, 800 W. Lake Street. This week, The Replays will be covering some of your favorite songs from a variety of genres including classic rock, roots, blues, and even some country. This five-piece band is based out of Oak Park and has played a variety of venues in the area including FitzGerald’s Night Club in Berwyn and Lilly’s in Chicago.
