Every Tuesday night, 6 to 7:30 pm, beginning June 7, Portage LIVE! has a free concert for YOU! Indoors at Oakwood Hall at Portage’s Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road in Portage, admission to these performances is absolutely free. Open seating, as well as food concessions, a cash bar, and a car show before and during the music promise a great time for all!
This summer’s stellar line-up kicks off with Jim Bulanda’s Salute to the Stars on June 7. The talented entertainer from Lowell steps easily into the shoes of such greats as Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Michael Buble, and Frank Sinatra.
ReTurn2Soul hits the stage on June 14 with their jazz, R&B, and Motown show guaranteed to bring back the best memories. Remember when music was music? ReTurn2Soul’s unforgettable show will transport you there!
June 21 features Chris & Lou with ‘Great Music & Vocals Over the Years’. This acoustic guitar duo has become a favorite of NW Indiana audiences during the 20-some years they’ve been playing and singing together.
The Rod Stewart Experience as portrayed by Chris Tartaglia is guaranteed to please even the rocker’s most die-hard fans. Be at Oakwood Hall on June 28 as Chris transforms himself into Rod the Mod, one of the best-selling musical artists of all time.
July’s line up starts on the 5th with the Jason Martin Jazz Trio playing more than just jazz. These versatile musicians also include 50s – 70s rock and roll and funk in their highly acclaimed shows. What’s not to love?
Mark your calendar for July 12 as Island 49 performs their Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show and more. This trop-rock band incorporates influences of rock, reggae, country, folk, calypso, zydeco, and pop music, all inspired by an island style.
Singer Harley Heir loves comedy and uses it to create a must-see entertainment experience on July 19. His astonishing vocal impressions of Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Frankie Valli, Johnny Cash, and more have captivated his audiences throughout the region.
The Ultimate Faux Diamond, aka Joe Zirconia, brings his Neil Diamond Tribute performance to our Oakwood Hall stage on July 26. A Portage resident, Joe is one of the Midwest’s finest tribute artists with hundreds of performances under his belt. He’s a Northwest Indiana gem!
Wolffgang is the intriguing moniker of the elite Hobart High School Girls’ Choir under the direction of Dean Wolff. With 70 – 80 performances annually comprised of popular 30s – 60s music with a sprinkling of patriotic songs, show tunes, and country music, they’ll inspire you on August 2!
The legendary Oscar & the Majestics are the original authentic Chicago-Indiana 60s garage rock band. Recognized internationally as Garage Rock Heroes, they’ll delight you on August 9 with the best music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s as only they can.
Dave Thomas has kept the legend of The King alive with hundreds of Elvis Tribute performances for more than 30 years. The award-winning impersonator, who has performed on Good Morning America, brings his buttery smooth voice to our Oakwood Hall stage on August 16.
On August 23, the inimitable Mario Zavala brings his vast repertoire to our stage with popular hits including Dock of the Bay, La Bamba, Folsom Prison Blues, Ventura Highway, Piano Man, House of the Rising Sun, Crazy, and Hey Jude. This singer/guitarist offers something for everyone!
Our Summer Series concludes on August 30 with Rick Lindy & the Wild Ones and their Jukebox Legends Show. Country, pop, retro rock, and rockabilly hits will have you dancing in your seat…but don’t be shy…with this well-loved band, you’ll wind up on your feet!
We welcome your donations of nonperishable food, personal items or paper products for the Portage Food Pantry and Gabriel’s Horn Homeless Shelter at all our concerts. (These are not required.)
This series is made possible with the generous support of the Porter County Community Foundation, Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, Portage Department of Parks & Recreation, John W. Anderson Foundation, and Quinlan & Fabish Music Company. Additional donations to support Portage LIVE!’s mission to make live musical entertainment and cultural events available in Portage Township may be made simply by texting PORTAGE to 44321. Portage LIVE! (formerly Portage Township Live Entertainment Association) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Your donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
Come one, come all to enjoy these free summer concerts! Bring the whole family to sing, dance or just listen. For more information, contact Portage Chamber of Commerce 219-762-3300, Portage Parks 219-762-1675, Debra Silvert, publicity chair 219-628-0914 or visit www.portagelive.org
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
