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Fox Pointe goes back to the 80s

By Karen Abbott-Trimuel

LANSING, Ill. (September 13, 2021) – In our present day situation dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, many might want to go back to the 80s, when everyone could gather in funky clothes, have big hair, attend large concerts, celebrate, and cut loose. This past weekend, to make that all possible, the Lansing Public Library and the Village of Lansing collaborated to create Back to the 80s Fest at Fox Pointe.

The two-day collaborative event is a tradition of the Fox Pointe calendar, though no event was scheduled last year due to COVID-19. 2019’s event was a Woodstock celebration.

Friday

Rock Band Karaoke kicked off Friday night with the participation of the audience. Friday’s theme was 80s Dance Party and it was a night that most residents won’t forget as any fear of performing was set aside and they joined the band in sing-a-longs of memorable 80s hits. Rock Band Karaoke gave the audience an opportunity to let their hair down and cut loose on the grass in front of the stage — and many did. The songs were a big hit and drew many people to the stage to flaunt their undiscovered vocal talents.

80s Fest
Rock Band Karaoke plays behind Katy, a kindergarten school teacher who volunteered to join the band to sing “Drops of Jupiter” by Train during Friday’s Back to the 80s Fest. (Photo: Karen Abbott-Trimuel)

Jessi & The Fizz also took the stage, and a few of their big fans followed them. Mary and Mark Lale were comfortably enjoying their talented neighbors as the band mesmerized the crowd with memorable 80s songs such as “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper and “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil.

“Jessi & The Fizz are our neighbors, and we enjoy listening to them rehearse. So when we heard they were going to be here, we decided to come out and support them,” said Mary Lale.

Jessi & The Fizz play Friday night at Fox Pointe. (Photo: Karen Abbott-Trimuel)
Mark and Mary Lale came out to support their neighbors Jessi & The Fizz. (Photo: Karen Abbott-Trimuel)

Friday evening was wrapped up by The Breakfast Club, and the audience was on their feet for the rest of the night.

Saturday

Fox Pointe faithful returned on Saturday for the second half of the two-day 80s Fest.

Love Drive was one of many bands to take the stage Saturday, and they kept the energy high and the people dancing. The stage was set ablaze by a guitar solo, and the band drew the crowd to their feet with “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions.

 

80s fest
Love Drive performs on Saturday of the the two-day Back to the 80s Fest. (Photo: Karen Abbott-Trimuel)

The night ended with bands Bad Medicine and Sixteen Candles, and the audience was eager for all of it — music, dancing, and the return of the 80s.

More information about upcoming Fox Pointe events can be found at foxpointe.org.

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Karen Abbott-Trimuel
Karen Abbott-Trimuel
Karen Abbott-Trimuel is a playwright, author, motivational speaker, and freelance journalist who has lived in Lansing for 17 years. She has always been passionate about writing and storytelling and enjoys meeting and inspiring people. She has established a reputation for writing quality entertainment through her stage plays, authored two books, "Ladies Night Unmasked" and "Check Your Assets and Know Your Value – A Woman's Guide to Becoming Her Authentic Self," and written an article "Are You Happy?" for the online writer's platform Writer UnBoxed. Karen is excited by writing great stories that uplift, inspire, and strengthen the Lansing community.