Summer Events at the Morton Arboretum
Chicago’s summer music series is about to heat up in June when weekly concerts came to Millennium Park. What you may not know is that the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL near Chicago (map) also puts on an impressive summer concert series, including Huey Lewis and The News and the Indigo Girls. 
One nice attribute about the Arboretum is its scenery – you can enjoy music outside while being next to some of the area’s most beautiful gardens and trees.
Tickets for several of the Arboretum’s concerts go on sale this Monday, May 10, at www.mortonarb.org or by calling 630-725-2066.
Concerts at the Arboretum this summer include:
June
Friday, June 18; 7 p.m.: Blues Traveler and Dr. John & The Lower 911
Saturday, June 19; 11 a.m.: Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players (Family Concert)
Saturday, June 19; 7 p.m.: Art Garfunkel
Sunday, June 20; 7 p.m.: Kenny Loggins
July
Friday, July 23; 7 p.m.: Huey Lewis & The News
Saturday, July 24; 7 p.m.: Indigo Girls
Sunday, July 25; 3 p.m.: New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago (Family Concert)
Sunday, July 25; 7 p.m.: New Millennium Orchestra & special guest artist Matthew Santos
August
Friday, August 6; 7 p.m.: LYLE LOVETT and his Large Band
Saturday, August 7; 11 a.m.: Ralph’s World (Family Concert)
Saturday, August 7; 7 p.m.: Lee Ann Womack with special guest Mark Chesnutt
Sunday, August 8; 7 p.m.: Marc Cohn with special guest Bettye LaVette
In addition to music, the Arboretum has on display 14 large root sculptures, up to 40 feet high, from contemporary artist, Steve Tobin. According to the Arboretum, “As the weather changes each sculpture’s appearance throughout the seasons, these abstract root sculptures will change the way viewers perceive trees and the natural world.”
Other activities this summer at the Arboretum include:
Finger painting for kids daily in July: from11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (weather permitting).
20-minute guided tours (Tuesdays and Thursdays in July at 11:00 a.m., weather permitting) of the Arboretum’s grounds. Tours will vary from day to day and will include insect hunts, outdoor games and nature inspired crafts.
“The Art of Bonsai: Exhibition and Demonstration” that will show visitors the many varieties of trees and plants that can be “dwarfed to an artistic shape using special methods of growing, pruning and training.” Demonstrations will be held at 2 p.m. July 17 and 18.
For information on more events this summer at the Arboretum, visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074.
Photo credit: SXC
