RAVINIA DISTRICT OF HIGHLAND PARK'S FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS RETURNS FOR IT'S 7TH YEAR!

Food Truck Thursdays returns June 6 to the City of Highland Park's Ravinia District. The 2024 season will run through September 26, and will take place from 4:30 PM to dusk along Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues and at Jens Jensen Park across from the Ravinia Metra Station.
 
"Food Truck Thursdays are a summer staple in the Ravinia District,” said Carolyn Hersch, Business Development Manager at the City of Highland Park. “The Ravinia District comes alive with great music, delicious food, and a family-friendly atmosphere that truly encapsulates what makes Highland Park a special place to be."
 
Alfresco diners will experience a unique and varied selection of food and drink offerings from more than a dozen rotating food trucks along Dean Avenue every Thursday evening throughout the season. Guests can also enjoy beer and wine selections from Ravinia District restaurants Abigail's American Bistro and Ravinia Brewing Company. 
 
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine at one of the many picnic benches in Jens Jensen Park while enjoying live music (weather permitting) from 4:30-8:30 PM (June-August) and 4:30-8 PM (September). The eclectic musical lineup includes a robust variety of genres as well as three special theme nights for all-ages fun! During each of the three themed nights, guests are encouraged to arrive in family-friendly costume and participate in interactive kid-friendly activities. Sing along to the music of legendary performers during Diva & Soul Night on June 20, bring your dancing shoes to Noche Latina on July 18, and get ready to laissez les bons temps rouler at New Orleans Mardi Gras Night on August 15.
 
“To accommodate all of the families coming out early, we’ll be kicking off every concert at 4:30 sharp with live music, including special kid-centric performances peppered throughout the summer,” says Noah Plotkin, music manager with Highland Park-based Life Rhythms, Inc., which coordinates music for Food Truck Thursdays on behalf of the City of Highland Park.  Opening acts and family programming will run from 4:30-5:45 PM with the headliner playing from 6-8:30 PM June-August and 6-8 PM in September.
 
June 6 
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Despina Pafralides, Bluegrass Duo
6 PM - 8:30 PM: La Tosca Italian Mambo Ensemble,  Italian & French Gypsy Jazz
 
June 13 
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Gandy Gumbo, Americana
6 PM - 8:30 PM:  Sara Jean Steven’s Band, Americana
 
June 20 (Diva & Soul Night)
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Pierce Crask, Americana Blues
6 PM - 8:30 PM: RJ Mitchell’s Diva Soul, curated ensemble of wedding entertainers
 
June 27 
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Wincanton, Local Americana Duo
6 PM - 8:30 PM: Jared Rabin Band, Folk and Bluegrass
 
July 11 
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Ryan Herrick & The Heretics,  Folk
6 PM - 8:30 PM: Nasty Snacks, Future Funk
 
July 18 (Noche Latina) 
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: The Chicago Jazz Dads, Latin Jazz
6 PM - 8:30 PM: Roy McGrath’s Latin Quintet, Salsa and Latin
 
July 25 
4:30 PM -5:45 PM: The Second Chances, Folk Rock Trio
6 PM - 8:30 PM: Saturday June Band, Rock and Roll
 
August 1 
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: James Conway, Traditional Irish and Bluegrass
6 PM - 8:30 PM: Chris Neal & Good Trouble, Six-piece Funk / Rock band
 
August 8
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Jeanie B!, Children’s Entertainer
6 PM - 8:30 PM: Chicken Bone,  Funk Rock
 
August 15 (New Orleans Mardi Gras Night)
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Ben Tatar & the Tatar Tots, Children’s Entertainer
6 PM - 8:30 PM: Extra Crispy Brass Band, New Orleans Style Brass Band
 
August 22 
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: Highland Park Players, Theatrical Performance
6 PM - 8:30 PM: Radio Free Honduras,  Latin Rock
 
August 29 
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM: DJ The Graduate, Popular Hits
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: The Drastics, Reggae
 
September 5 
5 PM – 7 PM: The DB’s, Bluegrass, Blues and American Roots Music
 
September 12
5 PM – 7 PM: Basement Band, Classic Rock
 
September 19
5 PM – 7 PM: Dr. Mark & The Sutures, Beatles Cover Band
 
September 26
5 PM – 7 PM: Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings, Blues

Grand Opening of Life Rhythms Inc presenting the Music at The Chicago French Market at Gallagher Way!!!

We are very proud to be bringing some of Chicago’s hottest musical talent to the Bensidoun USA’s French Market every Thursday night from July 11th - September 26th on non game days in Gallagher Way next to Wrigley Field!!!

Grand Opening Day July 11th 2019 at Gallagher Way!!

Grand Opening Day July 11th 2019 at Gallagher Way!!


For more information on our 10 events please click HERE

JANUARY 27TH 2018 Founder Noah Plotkin's Classic Rock & Country band "Railheart" helps fundraise money for the Nora Project Live at Norton's in Highland Park!

My Classic Rock'n Roll Country Band "Railheart" & I are honored to be apart of such a great event this evening at Norton's Restaurant in Highland Park supporting a great cause "The Nora Project"

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The Nora Project is a nonprofit teaching empathy in schools by sparking friendships between typically developing students and their peers with disabilities. To achieve this mission, we've created framework for integrating empathy into teachers' English and Language Arts curricula, while creating friendship experiences for children with disabilities. For more information on The Nora Project please click HERE

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LIFE RHYTHMS IS HONORED TO BE A SPONSOR FOR THE 2015 JAMMIN IN JENS JENSEN PARK

Life Rhythms is honored to be a sponsor for The 2015 Jammin in Jens Jensen Park that kicks off Saturday June 6th at 11am - 12:30pm with a Free Life Rhythms Drum Circle !! We will be having music every Saturday for 12 weeks this summer in Jens Jensen Park.  June 6th - August 29th.  

THE BEST JAZZ IN TOKYO, JAPAN !!!

I had the amazing privilege of traveling to Tokyo, Japan last week and I experienced some of the best music I've ever heard! My friends and I travelled to the Jazz Club The Pit Inn  and witnessed some Jazz from outer space ! We then travelled to The Pearl Bar and listened to some incredible jazz piano.  I recommend both of these venues if you ever visit Tokyo ! I look forward to my return this Summer for some more musical experiences with friends and family ! 

The best website for Music in Japan is Jazz in Japan . I found this website while watching youtube videos all about Japan before my trip.  One video popped up called Tokyo Eye  which is a Japanese television talk show. The episode I found had a guest by the name of Michael Pronko.  An American Author living in Tokyo for the past 15 years.  He is a professor at Meiji Gakuin University who teaches American literature, culture, film, music & art.  This man was fascinating to me so I decided to write him an email.  He replied right away with this website and gave me some extra spots to check out ! Japan is one of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited.  Everyone should visit Japan! 

ROCKING DRUMS WITH THE JOSH NELSON PROJECT

Sunday Night November 23rd 2014.  I had the honor of sharing the stage with one of the most influential Jewish Rock Stars of my generation.  Josh Nelson.  We played at the Mayerson JCC in Cincinnati, Ohio.  We celebrated the art of Music and Life !! It was a musical experience I will never forget.  One of the best Rock'n Trios I have ever been apart of.  I look forward to touring with him again !!! 

Josh Nelson : Guitar, Vocals, Geoff Shell : Bass, Noah Plotkin : Drums, Percussion.