Lemont musicians star at benefit concert

LEMONT – The Giving Back to Lemont Concert returns for a second year from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday outside the Front Street Cantina, 319 Front St., Lemont.

Five musical acts will perform, with food and monetary donations accepted for the Lemont food pantries.

The performers, all of whom have local ties, are Ally Gawrys, Phive, Sara Van Hecke, The Threads and Gringo Starr.

Mark Oikle and John Quinn came up with the idea last year, and Terri O'Neill-Borders of the Hope and Friendship Foundation helped organize the event.

"It's a good summer night for people to bring their family out," Quinn said. "If they want to help out, they can do that, too."

He said they were not sure last year whether they could get musicians to play for free at the event.

"We put the word out, and we got plenty of responses," he said.

Oikle's band, Phive, are the elder statesmen of the musicians, having played together for 30 years.

Member Ralph Johnson said the band does not perform as much as when they were younger, but they are happy to get together for a good cause.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the smiling faces out there and having a good time with everybody," he said.

Sharing the stage with him will be several younger performers.

Gawrys is a Lemont High School senior, Van Hecke graduated this spring and The Threads are made up of two current students and two graduates.

Van Hecke, who has performed twice recently at the House of Blues in Chicago, said she is excited to be able to play this concert.

"I would prefer to just do benefit concerts, honestly," she said.

She said music will continue to be a passion of hers as she attends DePaul University this fall.

"I'm not studying music, but part of the reason I'm going to DePaul is so I can play in the city," she said.

Quinn said the concert could not happen without the help of the Front Street Cantina.

"They pretty much give us their place," he said. "They give us whatever we need."

He said residents have also been good about getting the word out about the concert.

"They are all willing to help out," he said. "That's the great thing about town."

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`If you go

What: Giving Back to Lemont Concert

When: 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Front Street Cantina, 319 Front St.

More information: Contact Terri O'Neill-Borders at 630-257-2522 Ext. 13 or terri-oneill@lemonttownship.org.