. . . so we called friends Rick and Patty, arranged to meet them on the green at the Burr Ridge Shopping Center, stowed some cold drinks in a cooler (and I hid some chocolate cake in honor of you-know-who’s birthday). We loaded up some lawn chairs, and off we went to a free concert, under the stars, about as far as the crow flies from our house.
We are fortunate to have quite a few free music venues in the good old summertime, mere minutes from our life here on the Cutoff. All summer, we’ve been meaning to take advantage of them. Finally, yesterday, our chance arrived – and we grabbed it.
Burr Ridge Center is a new, smallish center with mixed usage. Restaurants dot the few blocks with trendy stores, a Starbucks, Barbara’s Bookstore and condos nestled in on top. In the center’s planning, an expanse of lawn was laid. A modern, airy and lighted band shell emerges in June. This same lawn hosts a farmers market on Thursdays.
The concert was set to start at 7:30. We arrived an hour early and staked out a good spot amongst other early birds. It was like a mini-Ravinia, which is the crown jewel in outdoor concerts in summer. Groups had rounds of chairs, blankets and tables, wine coolers and sushi, all a-ready for a night of big band sounds, which arrived, right on time, compliments of The Steve Cooper Orchestra, whose musical renditions and vocal accompaniments stirred the crowd, a mixture of ages and backgrounds. They all seemed to be in the mood. We certainly were.
Sounds like a jammin’ good time, Penny. I hope the birthday cake was yummy.
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Oh, it was, Andra. Next time, a picnic supper, for sure. The birthday cake was not my finest moment, however. Store bought. Still, it went down pretty well.
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And was there a spot on the grass for dancing, Penny?
My late hubby, Gene, and I NEVER missed dancing to In The Mood, live or recorded versions! I miss those days in the mid-70’s to early 80’s when the remnants of the big bands came to Cold Springs (an old-time, open-air dance hall at a lake not far from here) in the summer. We tried to attend every time! It was interesting to see that members of Mr. Cooper’s orchestra have played with some of those bands. Thanks for the memories!
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There was, though we didn’t trip the light fantastic. Quite a few couples got up and danced, however, on the grass and on the sidewalks. It was fun to watch them, with a few youngsters sprinkled in. It felt good to see such a very mixed crowd of people.
What sweet memories that must be for you, Karen. In the Mood, to me, defines the era of music it helped shepherd in, and it had, has, such lasting power, doesn’t it? The image of an open-air dance hall at a lake is so evocative of summer at its most elegant, no matter where or who we are. My cousin’s prom, in Racine, WI, had the like of a big band. Guy Lombardo or Jimmy Dorsey.
That’s interesting about members of Mr. Coooper’s orchestra still playing who gave you the music you danced to. We were surprised at how many live in the surrounding suburbs. I just love hearing this, Karen; your memories, the connections, the romance of dancing under the starts.
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What a fantastic birthday celebration! So glad you could make it. Just can’t beat those oldies but goodies. The only thing better would be HLN – of course!!!
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It was fun, Marilyn – and leave it to you to bring up HLN. Wish we could have seen him when he was here on the lakefront last month. We are going to make a concerted attempt to go to a few more.
Hope you are having a good weekend. Hot and muggy here today.
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Lovely! I love outdoor events and live concerts. And picnics. And chocolate cakes…Sounds just perfect.
Axxx
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You’re my kind of gal, Annie. We could get in a lot of fun trouble together, especially when it involves chocolate cake.
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You’re my kind of gal, Annie. We could get in a lot of fun trouble together, especially when it involves chocolate cake.
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This was my kind of evening. I love The Big Band Sound and In the Mood is one of my all time favorites. My parents listened to this kind of music so it was around the house all the time. I loved it when Dad would dance first with Mom and then with us. We did all of the jitterbug and swing moves. Dad flipped us over his shoulders and between his legs. It was so much fun!!!! I have big band sound music saved on my phone so I can listen to it whenever I want. I was at an outdoor Dorsey Brothers revival concert the night Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. They stopped the concert and pointed up to the moon as the announcement was made.It was a night that I will always remember.
The outdoor seating is marvelous. How nice for you and Tom to have this to share on his birthday. I hope he had a very happy one. How could he miss? Good friends, good music, good food and his best girl.
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What fun you all had together – and what memories to keep with you. I love hearing about your dancing with your Dad, Janet, and such a place card in history; Dorsey and the lunar landing. One of those moments in time that was historic and you know right where you were and what you were doing.
It was a very nice evening – and that is a very sweet thing to say, especially coming from the very best friend of mine who introduced us. Thank you.
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What a good way to celebrate Tom’s birthday!
Our small town has a band concert in the old fashioned bandstand every Thursday evening during the summer. Most weeks there’s ice cream to be had as well, courtesy of some group. There’s something about sitting outdoors listening to the music, and yes, some of it is from the big band era.
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So right, Joyce. Being outdoors and the natural ambiance that brings sets the tone for fun, doesn’t it? How special that yours is with an old fashioned bandstand – and ice cream. It says summer. Businesses, civic groups, banks all pay for these concerts. Our own town actually has a Thursday concert as well, which we keep missing, reminding me I need to get us there.
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Sounds utterly glorious, Penny; I can think of almost nowhere I’d rather be than at a swing band concert on a balmy Summer’s eve. Glad you both had a great time.
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It was, Kate, and there is quite a line up for other types of music all summer. We have a few in the area, including our own town, so, music it will be, of all kinds.
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Oh, fantastic, Penny! What a perfect combination for a birthday celebration – good company, good music and good weather. 🙂
I’m a great fan of the Big Band sound and it’s lovely to watch my two older grandsons, along with their mother, taking part in Swing Band concerts at their local music centre. Both boys adore the music. 🙂
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Right on all counts, Perpetua. It was lots of fun.
It’s exciting to hear that your grandsons are lovers of music, along with your dear daughter. I’m sure you are enjoying watching them blossom and enjoying something you love so much yourself.
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Dear Penny, oh, that video took me back to the ’40s and ’50s and the era of the big bands. And seeing Sonia Henie there was a treat also. Glenn Miller died I think when his plane went down during a tour for the soldiers in Europe during World War II. So this must be from the early ’40s. But I remember dancing with someone at the Palace, which was the big auditorium in Kansas City were the big bands came to play. In my mind, that was dancing!!!! Peace,
Dee
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You really do have an eye for detail, Dee. I love to watch this kind of dancing. What fun that must of been at the Palace. Don’t tell anyone, but, I played In the Mood and danced holding on to the refrigerator handle. Thankfully, it didn’t let go. ha!
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We used to go to outdoor summer music often when we lived in town…now our summer home is so far out in the country we don’t make it in…they really are fun. Love the link….thank you,
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You are quite welcome, Sallie. Your country home in the summer is so peacefully serene, I’m sure. You could always crank up the volume and have your own outdoor concert one night, under the stars.
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Sounds a wonderful way to celebrate summer and a special birthday. That music brings back many dancing memories and much nostalgia. Thank you Penny. (I’m catching up with blog posts after some time at the bach and off line)
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I have been doing some catching up myself the past few days, Juliet. A busy summer. Whenever you stop by, my day is better for it. Thank you. I’m glad to hear the music brought back memories, all good, I hope.
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My favorite part of summer, other than some ocean time, is the opportunity for outdoor music venues. We have quite a few free events, too. It’s sometimes hard for me to get to them when time seems to fly, but even in a bigger city, there is an effort to bring people together around shared music. I really love that. I love Glen Miller, too. My home growing up was full of big band sounds! I get very nostalgic when I hear In the Mood! 🙂
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I love hearing about your outdoor music ventures, Debra, and can’t wait to hear about who else is on your Hollywood Bowl list. Free concerts seem like gifts doubled over, don’t they? No only do we get to hear the music, but, we do it outdoors and for free. They do tend to be early in the evening, on a workday, when their are other things to tend to. My feet just start to twitch and move and I want to get up off my seat when I hear In the Mood. Great music, and a reminder of other times and of my parents as well.
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