Push Puppets

Push Puppets’ critically acclaimed 2025 release "Tethered Together" has drawn comparisons to Squeeze, Nick Lowe, XTC and Ben Folds in both the quirky writing and the gloriously polished production.

Push Puppets consists of Erich Specht (lead vocals, guitar), Steve Frisbie (backup vocals, guitar), Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums).

“Tethered Together” muses on relationships and loss as well as the weight and joy of life in a manner effortlessly poetic and married to the track like puzzle pieces. The band continues to churn out pop/rock would-be classics as they work on their fifth album, which will be released in 2027.

The Embryos

The Embryos formed in autumn 2016 when George T. Drag (Butterflies, Honda Pavarotti) joined up with Finn Swingley, Brian Daley, and Joe Daley (Demilos, Soft Speaker, The Saturday Nights). The Embryos have been a fixture on the Chicago music scene including numerous appearances at International Pop Overthrow fest and a highly successful 2024 residency at Montrose Saloon. Influences include Nick Lowe, Teenage Fan Club, and XTC.

Sponsored by: Smart Association Management and Patrick Duffy, Baird & Warner - North Center

Join us for a fun run along the river!

Run, walk or stroll through Clark, California and Horner Parks along the scenic 312 RiverRun trail. This gem of a 5K course is mostly flat with just one gentle incline - and you will never have to cross any streets!

Open to serious runners and casual participants, this race is the perfect way to spend a summer day in our community with friends and family.

Afterwards, join us for a family-friendly post-race party.

Proceeds benefit the Clark Park and Horner Park Advisory Councils.

• Each paid participant receives a limited-edition 312 RiverRun designer bandanna

• Free gear check for first 500 registrants

• Snacks and water too

• Ample street parking next to Clark Park

After the run, join us for a post party!

• 11am - 2pm | Burning Bush Brewery

Registration

• Until 7pm on June 11: Adults: $45* | Youth: $25* | Kids 5 + under, free |*+eventbrite fee

• After 7pm on June 11: $55 +eventbrite fee

Packet pick up options

• Thursday June 11 | 5pm to 8pm | Burning Bush Brewery

• Day of race starting at 8:30am @ Clark Park WMS Boathouse

B.J. Fisher

 B.J. Fisher is a Midwest singer-songwriter known for his dynamic performances, striking voice, and soulful songwriting. Emerging from Wisconsin and now based in Chicagoland, B.J. blends indie-folk sincerity with rock and roll energy, crafting songs that resonate with emotional depth and melodic charm. In 2021, B.J. released his debut single, “Nothing At All,” via Radio Milwaukee. The track earned praise for its honest, buoyant indie-folk sound and was accompanied by an evocative, train-hopping music video.

His 2022 debut album, Night Reminder, further showcased his wide musical range and lyrical depth. Piet Levy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote: “Through its patience, and Fisher’s songwriting strength, Night Reminder slows your pulse and draws you in.” He followed the album with the Roaming Red EP, a spirited collection of rock and roll love songs born from the same creative sessions.

In 2025, B.J. performed for Chicago’s “Secret River Show,” appeared on FOX 32 with his song “Scovia,” reached finalist status in the Chicago Made Music Showcase, and shared the stage with acclaimed acts including Thompson Springs, Trapper Schoepp, The Well Pennies, Kyran Daniel, and Fantastic Cat.

Full Spectrum

Full Spectrum offers a take on bluegrass that is not music from a distant place and time, but a music of belonging.

 Their debut EP Homesick showcases the driving rhythm of classic artists like Earl Scruggs and JD Crowe, as only those who have spent years studying the genre can. Homesick goes further, however, with original songwriting that explores the modern queer, trans, and urban experience. ‘Full Spec’ finds followers in old school bluegrassers, deadheads, country fans, queers who are new to the genre, and everyone who enjoys a high energy, passionate live performance.

 Colin ‘CC’ Cosgrove leads the band along with Emily Williams (fiddle), Amelia Mason (banjo, songwriting), Luke Vreeman (guitar) and Bea Riley (bass). Full Spectrum has shared the stage with other acts such as the Henhouse Prowlers, Mitzy Lucerito, Slapdash Bluegrass, and Grassfed Collective.

Sponsored by: Ravenswood Gardens Community Association, and Susan & John O’Connell

Lillian King

Lillian King is a singer from Chicago whose guitar technique comes from the Americana folk tradition but whose songwriting comes from staring at the lake for too long. She released her debut album In Your Long Shadow in 2025 on Pronounced Kroog.

Midamerican Elevator

 Midamerican Elevator is fronted by Paxton Long and Beni Yuzawa, whose harmonies float over arrangements influenced by 90s nostalgia, shoegaze, and indie rockers such as

Courtney Barnett and Snail Mail. Their songs feature a busy rhythm section, with guitars traveling between sparkly counterpoint and regenerative drive. Since forming in 2020 amid COVID lockdowns, the band has become well-known throughout the Chicago music scene. They'll be recording their next album at the beginning of the summer, culminating in a release at the end of the year.

Sponsored by: Lyon Communications and Patrick Duffy, Baird & Warner - North Center

Please join us on July 11th from 8 a.m. to noon for the first -- and hopefully annual -- Horner Park Open Pickleball Tournament at the Horner Park Tennis Courts.

Top-three players will each win quality paddles, hats and gift cards. Plus, all other participants are automatically entered into a raffle to win exciting prizes including coaching sessions, hats, gift cards and more! There's only 40 spots. Don't miss out!

Format is single player round-robin and the entry fee, which includes a t-shirt, is only $50.

All proceeds go to benefit Horner Park. Register here.

Email us with questions or if you would be interested in volunteering!

Thanks to 11SIX24, Pickleball Clubhouse, Pickleball Johnny, Pickledilly, Selkirk, SPF, The Movement Guild, Third Shot Rants, and Vatic Pro for donating to this charity event.

Christopher Narloch has been teaching at their own studio in Ravenswood Manor, Chicago since 2011. They have over 60 private students and host four studio recitals each year, including one each summer in Ravenswood Manor Park. 

In the past few years, Christopher has been performing solo recitals featuring the complete piano solos of Philip Glass, the complete piano sonatas of Galina Ustvolskaya, the complete mazurkas of Frédéric Chopin, and now the complete piano sonatas of Paul Hindemith. 

In addition to performing at top venues throughout the Chicago area and collaborating with a wide range of musicians, they also curate and host concerts at their studio. 

Christopher received degrees from Bowling Green State University and Viterbo University in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy. In 2018, they received the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA) Teacher of the Year Award.

Sponsored by:  Horner Park Advisory Council and Alamo Shoes

Second Hand News

Second Hand News recreates the experience of seeing Fleetwood Mac in their heyday. Made up of veteran Chicago musicians (Melissa Brausch, Josh Chicoine, Mike Holtz, Dan Ingenthron, Mike Vanier, and Lindsay Weinberg), the band features spot-on vocal harmonies, careful attention to detail, and electric live shows. Through the talents of these seasoned performers, the spirit and musicianship of Fleetwood Mac come to life on stage. Audiences are energized by dynamic deliveries of favorites from the band's extensive catalog of hits as well as deep cuts beloved by superfans. The fun these musicians have recreating these classic songs together is infectious, and will bring you to your feet in shared appreciation for one of the greatest bands of all time.

Sponsored by: The Book Cellar, Galter Life Center and Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit

You didn’t know that Horner Park has its very own jazz band? Well, now you do!

Come relax with some fantastic jazz offered up by our very own band of jazz enthusiasts. An easy afternoon of jazz is the perfect way to end the weekend and head into a new week with the right frame of mind.

If you’re a musician, you might just find your next project—the Horner Park Jazz Band rehearses on Monday nights at Horner Park, and anyone can bring an instrument and sit in!

Sponsored by: Horner Park Advisory Council

LBP School of Dance

Founded in 1956, Mrs. Kittie LaPointe started LBP School of Dance in her basement to teach her daughter and her friends ballet. Three years later, Mrs. LaPointe moved the dance school into its current Ravenswood Manor location where it has remained at for over 60 years.  As a non-profit, LBP’s mission is to welcome dancers from all backgrounds and to offer affordable, quality dance education in a neighborhood location. LBP celebrates all ages, skill levels and body types. Our motto is “Everyone Can Dance.” The studio strives to provide it’s dancers and their families with a well-rounded community that supports learning and a passion for dance.

Sponsored by: Molar City

Ari Cervantes and Duo “Nimbe”

 This Xalapeño duet seeking to promote the folklore of their state 'Veracruz', Mexico, and Latin American folklore through the performance of various instruments such as the harp, the jarana, bass, requinto, violin, and percussion.

 Nimbe was created starting in 2016 from a conjunction of talents to accompany folkloric dance ballets, as well as for social events for the public such as concerts and collaborations with different groups in the musical field.

 One of the characteristic factors of “Nimbe Ensamble” is the mixture of dance and music in the same concept, as the musicians have a dance background with extensive experience that has allowed them to perform concerts with a different theme for the enjoyment of the audience whowants to see both arts in motion.

 Among the genres they perform are: son jarocho, son huasteco, boleros, Latin American music, and Mexican popular music.

Sponsored by: The Old Town School of Folk Music & jookie, a portrait boutique, inc.

Gerald Dowd

 Boston-raised, Chicago-braised drummer/singer/songwriter Gerald Dowd has been described as “the hardest-working drummer in Chicago” (Richard Milne, WXRT), playing on over 100 albums, and averaging 150 live dates a year around the world. He’s spent the last 3 decades logging years and miles playing drums for Grammy-nominated artists Robbie Fulks and Justin Roberts, Nora O'Connor, Sons of The Never Wrong, and has also played and/or recorded with Eddie Vedder, Mavis Staples, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas (of Los Lobos), and A Prairie Home Companion, among many others.

 In recent years, Mr. Dowd has been releasing his own solo records, consisting of original Americana/roots-based music described as "hook-heavy, cleverly crafted" (No Depression) with songs "that reflect(s) the warmer, earlier period of The Band." (Chicago Sun-Times). His most recent album, “Fathers Day,” featuring performances from Nora O'Connor (Decemberists, Iron And Wine, Neko Case), Robbie Gjersoe (The Flatlanders, Jimmy Dale Gilmore) and pedal steel legend Lloyd Maines, spent weeks after its release on the Americana Charts Top 100. A new record is in the works for 2026.

 He continues to share stages with Jeff Tweedy, Ian Hunter, Nellie McKay, Delbert McClinton, Kasey Chambers and more.

Richard Bandini

Richard Bandiniis a Spanish-American musician based in Chicago, known as the frontman and guitarist of Bandini. With nearly three decades of experience, he began performing at 14 with his brothers in the band Kaplan, playing major festivals like Festimad and Benicassim. His music blends indie rock, alt-pop, blues, and sadcore, shaped by collaborations with artists such as Julio de la Rosa, Manuel Cabezalí, and Phil Yates. In 2022, he released A Hymn to the Beauty of Silhouettes, praised for its emotional depth and sonic richness. His 2025 release, Twosome, is an introspective and evocative exploration of the complexities of human connection, love, and disillusionment. The album's tone is enriched with poetic imagery,  as it contemplates faith and the passing of time. A blend of indie rock and art rock, the album’s introspective lyrics are framed by lush arrangements, creating an immersive listening experience that resonates deeply with those seeking meaning in an uncertain world.

Sponsored by: Horner Park Advisory Council, Ravenswood Manor Improvement Association and Special Events Management