Dick Diamond and the Dusters opened the 2021 Wednesday-night concert series at Fox Pointe (Lansing, Illinois) on June 2. Over 1,000 people attended the concert. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Dick Diamond and the Dusters launch the 2021 Wednesday-night concert series
LANSING, Ill. (June 2, 2021) – A favorite band, streamlined systems, and perfect weather made the June 2 re-opening of Fox Pointe a successful celebration of community — and a joyful return to normalcy.
Dick Diamond and the Dusters began their show at 7 p.m., welcoming hundreds of fans who had set up lawn chairs and blankets up to an hour earlier. The “retro-inspired, ridiculously entertaining cover band” played familiar numbers that soon brought the most energetic audience members to the sidewalk in front of the stage where they could dance and interact with the Dusters. Other attendees chose to socialize in the pavilion or stand around the perimeter sidewalk in small groups of friends, some of whom hadn’t seen each other face-to-face in more than a year.
Rather than losing the 2020 season entirely to COVID, the Village of Lansing spent the year expanding the concession building, updating the point-of-sale systems, and rethinking entry and exit options in order to increase security and comply with health regulations. Last week, an invitation-only music event provided an opportunity to practice and prepare for the June 2 public opening. Event staff expressed appreciation for the practice run, which increased their confidence and helped assure a positive experience for the more than 1,000 guests who attended the first concert of 2021.
Top photo: At 7 a.m. on June 2, Fox Pointe was empty. Bottom photo: by 7 p.m., hundreds had set up lawn chairs and blankets in the expansive lawn. (Photos: Melanie Jongsma)Trained Event Staff — including Amir Ghazaleh (left) and Ethan Roberts — gave guests instructions about stepping through the scanner at the Fox Pointe entrance. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)John Domansky was a regular at Fox Pointe during the 2019 season, and he was glad to return. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)“I’m a music man,” says Donnell Lawery. “And this is a good place — good music, local, friendly. I love this place.” (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Rachel Harris (right) considers herself a Dick Diamond and the Dusters groupie, following them from venue to venue. A native of Peotone, this was her second visit to Fox Pointe, after seeing Dick Diamond and the Dusters here in 2019. Harris’s granddaughter, Leah O’Connell (left) lives in Munster and agreed to chaperone her grandmother. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Terry, who refused to give her last name, was forced to admit she was watching the Cubs score rather than the concert. “I can’t help it,” she said, calling herself a die-hard Cubs fan. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)The cool, bright, windless evening provided a perfect backdrop for reconnecting as a community. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Crazy wigs and retro costumes add a little bit of theater to the Dick Diamond and the Dusters show. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Though several LARC staff and clients attended the concert, it is unknown how many recognized Jeff Gajewski in character as Walter Melon. In his day job, Gajewski serves as LARC’s Development & Public Relations Director. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)The dance party in front of the stage continued throughout the second half of the show. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)It’s a tradition for Dick Diamond and the Dusters to take selfies at various venues, but in order to include the Fox Pointe crowd in this photo, they asked for help from the crew. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)“We hope to see you guys real soon,” said Dick Diamond and the Dusters after a rousing “Proud Mary” encore. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)Throughout the event, attendees showed respect for the venue, depositing trash in receptacles along the perimeter sidewalk. (Photos: Melanie Jongsma)Before 10 p.m., the lawn was clear of blankets, chairs, and litter, and a few small groups continued socializing until the venue officially closed. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
Fox Pointe is located at 18138 Henry Street in Lansing, Illinois. Free concerts are scheduled for Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. The June 9 concert will feature Southern Accents. The full event listing is available on the Fox Pointe website: www.foxpointe.org/events-calendar
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.
1 COMMENT
Is this the taxpayer funded area that is locked up to prevent public access?
Is this the taxpayer funded area that is locked up to prevent public access?