LINCOLN SQUARE — Forget meteorological versus astronomical seasons — Lincoln Square's summer officially begins with the kick off of the Thursday night farmers market and outdoor concert series.
The farmers market, at Western and Leland avenues, is open for business, 4-8 p.m. Thursday. New additions to the vendor lineup include Dinky Donuts, Ayurveda Alchemists, LC Pho and Feed Your Head, which brings a slew of vegan options to the table. The market runs through Oct. 29.
Over in Giddings Plaza, The Flat Cats will take to the stage with their jazz/swing stylings from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The free concerts, underwritten by Weiss Memorial Hospital, continue through Sept. 3. Scheduled performers include returning favorites Radio Free Honduras July 9 and Jonas Friddle Aug. 6.
Lincoln Square's Tuesday farmers market also debuted this week. It continues, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 27, Western and Leland avenues. This market accepts the LINK card.
Other neighborhood farmers markets are opening this weekend and next:
• The wildly popular Horner Park farmers market is back for a second season starting Saturday. Join the market's mailing list to receive a weekly e-newsletter featuring vendor profiles, recipes and updates on the weekly musical guests. It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays, June 6 through Oct. 3, 2741 W. Montrose.
• North Center's weekly market gets underway June 13 and runs Saturdays through Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4100 N. Lincoln Ave. This market accepts LINK cards.
• The Independence Park farmers market at Irving Park Road and Springfield Avenue runs twice a month on Sundays through October. Dates are: June 14 and 28, July 12 and 26, Aug. 9 and 23, Sept. 13 and 27, and Oct. 11 and 25. Times are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More music on tap:
Welles Park's "Tuesdays at the Gazebo” free concert series begins June 16 and runs through Aug. 25. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of local music under the stars. Concerts will be held rain or shine, with the Welles Park gym serving as alternate site if the weather refuses to cooperate. All shows start at 6:30 p.m. at 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
Ravenswood Manor is shaking things up with this year's concert series, alternating locations between Ravenswood Manor Park and Horner Park, and closing out the season at Sunken Gardens.
Ring Shout gets things going 7 p.m., June 12, Ravenswood Manor Park, 4626 N. Manor Ave., and the music doesn't stop until Aug. 22.
Highlights of the season include productions of "Complete Shakespeare" and "Man in the Iron Mask" by Theater Hikes. The complete schedule is available online.
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