2016
JANUARY 16-FEBRUARY 20
Saturday Youth Drama Class
9:00 a.m.–10:15 a.m. (Grades 1-5, $60)
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon (Grades 6-12, $65)
Open to all levels of interest. Learn creative dramatics with a fun skit at the end of the six Saturdays.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
MARCH 17-19
“9 To 5” The Musical by Joliet Catholic Academy
7:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
2:00 p.m. Saturday
5:00 p.m. Saturday Dinner (reservation only)
$10 adults/ $8 students & seniors / $20 Saturday Dinner & Show
JCA students star in the musical comedy about three secretaries dealing with their tyrannical boss.
(815) 741-0500 x432
jcadrama@att.net
MARCH 24
“The Jungle Book” by AlphaBet Soup Productions
10:30 a.m.
$8 each/ $7 groups 25+
Interactive theatre for preK-4th grade follows the adventures of the young boy and his animal friends.
(630) 932-1555
www.absproductios.com
ARIL 21-24
“Mary Poppins” by Providence High School
7:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
3:00 p.m. Sunday
$8 adults/ $5 students & seniors
Providence students star in the story of the Banks children on adventures with their beloved nanny.
(815) 485-2136 x3323
theatre@ProvidenceCatholic.org
SUMMER 2016
JUNE 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
42ND FREE “Concerts On The Hill”
6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Enjoy quality entertainment on the bandshell every week June 2 – Sept 1. Bring blankets & chairs for hill seating. Bring blankets and chair for hill seating. Concessions and now beer and wine are available. Try our great $2 hot dogs, $1 popcorn and our newest item: $3 *fire cracker float* – it really crackles & pops! Parking is free.
*NEW *
+SPECIAL ACTS each month: JUNE 9 – ELVIS tribute artist NICK MILLER, JULY 7 – SPOKEN FOUR and AUGUST 11 – NEW INVADERS.
+ART ENCLAVE: for all ages every Thursday during the concerts – come chill-n-create (FREE) or sell your creative work! ($5 table). Pay at ticket tent.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
* NEW*
JUNE 9 ELVIS Tribute Artist Nick Miller-FREE! Keeping the King alive! Special “Concert On The Hill” 6:30 pm
JUNE 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26
Greenday’s “American Idiot” Musical
7:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays
2:30 p.m. Sundays
$15 adults/ $10 students & seniors
Tony-award winning rock-opera follows three-boyhood friends as they follow the American Dream in a post 9-11 world. Powerful lyrics from Greenday’s album makes this a moving musical for today.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
JUNE 20-JULY 17
Summertime On-Stage Youth Drama Camp
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (ages 11- 18, $250)
12 noon – 2:00 p.m. (ages 5 -11, $180)
“Little Mermaid” is this year’s show! Students learn creative dramatics, set creation, costume designing all while working on a musical for public production. Meets Monday – Thursday on indoor theatre stage.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
* NEW*
JULY 2
INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION
6:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Back by popular demand! Still FREE! Live music, food ‘n brew & FIREWORKS 9:30-9:50 pm. Featured bands are HOT MESS 6:00-7:30 pm (featuring Mayor O’Dekirk on drums & vocals!) and JUNKYARD DAWGS 8:00-10:30 pm. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating. Parking is free
815-724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
JULY 7, 14, 21 & 28
42ND FREE “Concerts On The Hill”
6:30 p.m. Thursdays
*NEW* this year:
+SPECIAL ACTS each month: JULY 7 – SPOKEN FOUR and AUGUST 11 – NEW INVADERS.
+ART ENCLAVE: for all ages every Thursday during the concerts – come chill-n-create (FREE) or sell your creative work! ($5 table). Pay at ticket tent.
Enjoy quality entertainment on the bandshell every week June 2 – Sept 1. Bring blankets and chair for hill seating. Concessions and now beer and wine are available. Try our great $2 hot dogs, $1 popcorn and our newest item: $3 *fire cracker float* – it really crackles & pops! Parking is free.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
* NEW* JULY 7 SPOKEN FOUR – FREE! Get ready to dance! Special “Concert On The Hill” 6:30 pm.
* NEW*
JULY 23
River Fest
FREE park admission!
Lighted boats are back! Bringing back Waterway Daze with a new twist. Boat will light up at dusk and stay stationary along the riverwalk so viewers can enjoy them up close. Event runs 6:00-10:30 pm with 2 bands on the pavilion: Webbly Greens (6:00-7:30 pm – winner of Bicentennial’s 2015 Battle of the Bands) and Johnny Russler and Beach Bums (8:00-10:30 pm). Food ‘n brew, too. FIREWORKS 9:30 pm. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
* NEW*
JULY 27 & 28
“Sleeping Beauty” by AlphaBet Soup Productions
10:30 a.m.
$8 each/ $7 groups 25+
Interactive theatre for preK-4th grade. The timeless tale like you’ve never seen it before! Featuring a Dragon who roars, and a Princess who snores. A handsome brave Knight, and swashbuckling sword fights… It’s a wonder how anyone could sleep through all the fun!
(630) 932-1555
www.absproductios.com
JULY 30
Battle of the Bands
6:00-10:00 p.m.
FREE park admission and parking
FREE for bands to register & open to all ages & types of bands
Time to rock the bluffs and bandshell again! Rock it out with 6 bands competing for cash prizes. 1st place $1000! Enjoy food ‘n brew, too. For band registration info, contact office.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
AUGUST 4, 11, 18 & 25
42ND FREE “Concerts On The Hill”
6:30 p.m. Thursdays
NEW this year:
+SPECIAL ACTS each month: AUGUST 11 – NEW INVADERS.
+ART ENCLAVE: for all ages every Thursday during the concerts – come chill-n-create (FREE) or sell your creative work! ($5 table). Pay at ticket tent.
Enjoy quality entertainment on the bandshell every week June 2 – Sept 1. Bring blankets & chairs for hill seating. Bring blankets and chair for hill seating. Concessions and now beer and wine are available. Try our great $2 hot dogs, $1 popcorn and our newest item: $3 *fire cracker float* – it really crackles & pops! Parking is free.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
AUGUST 5-7 & 12-14
“Grease” Musical by Joliet Drama Guild
7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday
2:00 p.m. Sunday
$15 adults/ $13 students, seniors & military
Here’s Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding guys and gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” bring back the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical that had a 8-year run on Broadway.
(877) 534-1933
www.jolietdramaguild.org
* NEW* AUG 11 NEW INVADERS – FREE! Getting’ groovy! Special “Concert On The Hill” 6:30 pm.
*NEW*
AUGUST 13, 20 , 27 & SEPTEMBER 10
TEEN IMPROV
10:30 am – 12:00 noon
$15 per class/ $60 all 4
Open to all levels of interest. Lead by Kimberly D Garrett, who trained at Second City, you’ll be laughing as much as you’ll be learing! Improv improves oneself in many ways, from refined brainstorming to improved observation skills. Sign up now!
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
* NEW*
AUGUST 20
ART 4 EVERY 1
12:00-5:00 p.m.
FREE!
It’s time to shine – calling artists & entertainers with a disability to have a blast on the park’s stage and display your creative work. Stop and say hi to TADA (Tri-Area Disability Activits) – they’re holding annual FREE picnic. Come see them and the other fine groups serving our community. Event is rain or shine.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
*NEW*
AUGUST 28
1st Annual Custom Car/Bike Show
Hosted by the Spanish Community Center & 4 Ever Rolling Car Club
10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
$5 event admission (children 12 and under FREE!)
$25 car/bike registration thru Event Brite
Fun for the whole family. Live music! Over 40 classes of custom cars and bikes ($25 to register). All proceeds donated to the Spanish Center. Concessions and beer available.
(815) 727-3683
www.spanishcenter.org
AUGUST 30 & 31
Auditions for “The Spirit of All Hallows Eve” & crew search
7:00 p.m.
FREE!
In search of men and women (age 16 and older) to fill roles in the production as well as handy and artistic individuals to help with set, props and costumes. The show may sound familiar to some, as it was the live, indoor theatre show during the Park’s popular Pumpkin Fest for many years.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
SEPTEMBER 17-OCTOBER 8
Saturday Youth Drama Class
9:00 a.m.–10:15 a.m. (Grades 1-5, $60)
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon (Grades 6-12, $65)
Open to all levels of interest! Learn creative dramatics with a fun skit at the end of the six Saturdays.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
SEPTEMBER 23-25 , 30 and OCTOBER 1 & 2
“Love, Sex & The IRS” by Latitude 41°
8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays
2:00 p.m. Sundays
$12 advance / $15 door
Latitude 41°presents this romantic comedy of one couple plus a few more dodging the IRS and each other.
(331) 725-2841
www.lat41.org
OCTOBER 15-16
“The Spirit of All Hallows Eve” by the Bard’s Theater Group
1:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
4:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
$5 all ages
Legends and lore of Halloween come alive in an original live drama with mystery, history and humor. Come early and stroll past the outdoor “Hall-On-Wheels” display of Halloween decorated vehicles…if you dare.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
*NEW*
OCTOBER 15-16
Hall-On-Wheels
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
FREE to view and display!
View decorated vehicles as the fine Halloween machines the are…cars, bikes, hearsts – yikes!?! Take a stroll down Bluff before you enter the theatre for the live Halloween show, “The Spirit of All Hallows Eve” (shows 1:00 & 4:00 pm).
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
OCTOBER 27-30
“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” by Providence High School
7:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
3:00 p.m. Sunday
$8 adults/ $5 students & seniors
(815) 485-2136 x3323
theatre@ProvidenceCatholic.org
NOVEMBER 17-19
“The Importance of Being Ernest” by Joliet Catholic Academy
7:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
2:00 p.m. Saturday
$10 adults/ $8 students & seniors / $20 Saturday Dinner & Show
(815) 741-0500 x432
jcadrama@att.net
DECEMBER 3 & 4
40th “Festival of the Gnomes”
1:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Saturday
1:00 p.m. Sunday
$5 all ages
Live show tells of the wee folks’ adventures, visit the cookie factory and “gnomemade” gift shop – tradition for many.
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
*NEW*
DECEMBER 3
“The Drunkin’ Gnome”
8:00 p.m. Saturday
$5 for mature audience members.
The story behind the gnome story. A little irreverent and a whole lot of fun! Adult subjects and language
(815) 724-3760 opt. 2
www.bicentennialpark.org
DECEMBER 16, 17 & 18
Madrigal Dinner by Joliet Drama Guild
7:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday
1:00 p.m. Sunday
$15 pauper seats (no dinner)
Dinner packages (TBA)
Join the festivities of the royal court with a full sit-down meal, live music, singing, juggling, jesters and more. Contact JDG for dinner package prices.
877-JDG (534)-1933
www.jolietdramaguild.org
FALL 2016 – WINTER 2017
Sept 17-Oct 22 CLASS ACT Saturday Youth Drama Classes. All levels of interest are welcome! Fun skit at the end. Grades 1-5 meet 9:00-10:15 am ($60). Grades 6-12 meet 10:30 am-12:00 noon ($65). For form, visit
Sept 23-25, 30-Oct 2 LOVE, SEX & THE IRS by Lat 41°. Fr & Sa 8pm, Su 2pm. $15. www.lat41.org
October 15 & 16 SPIRIT OF ALL HALLOWS EVE – Legends behind Halloween come alive for this indoor theatre show. $5 all ages. Shows 1:00 and 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday www.bicentennialpark.org 815-724-3760
Oct 27-Oct 30 Providence Catholic High School production. Details thru school: 815-485-2136
Nov 17-19 Joliet Catholic Academy HS production. Details thru school: 815-741-0500
December 3 & 4 40th FESTIVAL of the GNOMES! This is one of the Park’s original events from 1976, when the Par first opened. The Park’s first manager, Georgiann Goodson, and Billie Limacher created the holiday event all faiths could enjoy, as it has the spirit of giving at heart. In 1976, gnomes had become popular across the U.S. and served as inspiration to the family tradition for many. Enjoy gnome lore with live shows Saturday 1:00 & 3:30 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm, “gnomemade” crafts, gnome raffles, live music & more. Buy a gnome cap your 1st year and free tassel following years! Show tickets $5 all ages. Reservations recommended.
THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER WONDERFUL YEAR!
This is the only place that has them! The gnome doll raffle continues because of one special lady, Sally Susner. This talented seamstress begins crafting the soft-sculptured boy and girl gnome twin dolls in the spring. With all the details, from hand-stitched facial features, specially selected fabrics and trims for their garments and even shoes, the two gnome babies come to life. According to gnome lore, they always have twin babies so Sally continues that tradition, too!
Gnome” to many. She sends her love to everyone coming to the festival and has made sure those coming for their 10th 20th and even 30th year will have their special tassels. Those coming to the
After the show, children are invited onto the stage to meet the gnomes in person and draw their own gnome to take home. In the lobby, one can find many unique “gnomemade” treasures in the gift shop, try their luck in the gnome doll raffle and visit the cookie factory, where one can pick their favorite $1 variety-cookie-plate. The lobby is a buzz with activity, but the sweetest sounds can be heard when Cindy Butler, flute instructor, returns with her talented students to fill the lobby with frolicking holiday melodies, echoing the joyful mood the festival brings to all.
