Park Forest
A suburb in the Chicago area
Park Forest anchors live music for Chicago's south suburbs, with Freedom Hall serving as its main concert hall and performing arts theatre, offering music and performances for a broad audience. Its centerpiece, the Nathan Manilow Theatre, seats 287 and keeps the room intimate for both concerts and theatrical productions. Open since 1976, the hall's main concert series has brought in names across blues, soul, and jazz, including Shemekia Copeland, Booker T, Billy Branch, and George Winston. Recent seasons have featured Stevie Wonder and Doors tribute acts, Candlelight Jazz, and Chicago rock and blues performers like Melody Angel. Theater 47, owned by playwright and director John L. Ruffin Jr., is a second live performing arts venue in town, offering original theater works alongside concerts and musical tributes. It holds around 200 seats and past musical programming has included soul and R&B tribute productions. Beyond these indoor rooms, the village runs Main Street Nights, a free weekly summer concert series held each Wednesday evening at the Village Green, pairing live music with food trucks and a classic car cruise. The series includes a Main Street Music Fest held in conjunction with the annual Park Forest Art Fair.
Venues2
- Freedom Hall - Nathan Manilow Theatre410 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest
- Theater 47371 Artists Walk, Park Forest
Upcoming shows22
Monday, July 20 · 1 show
Friday, July 24 · 1 show
Tuesday, July 28 · 1 show
Space Between JAM
Jam session
Thursday, August 6 · 1 show
Sunday, August 9 · 1 show
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys
Rockabilly · Western swing · Americana
Friday, August 14 · 1 show
Thursday, August 20 · 1 show
Saturday, August 29 · 1 show
Brass Funkadelic w/ Emerson Avenue & Amie Austin & The Rumble
Soul / R&B / Funk
Friday, September 11 · 1 show
Chroma, Purple Funk Metropolis , & Fuchsia
Soul / R&B / Funk
Friday, September 18 · 1 show
Monday, September 21 · 1 show
Tuesday, September 22 · 1 show
Saturday, September 26 · 1 show
Friday, October 2 · 1 show
Saturday, October 3 · 1 show
The Inspector Cluzo (France)
Funk Rock · Rock · Funk
Saturday, October 10 · 1 show
The Word Up Story - former members of cameo
High-energy Funk and R&B band featuring former Cameo members
VIP: $75 | General: $65 | Senior: $60 | Group: $58
Saturday, November 7 · 2 shows
Shining Star – Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire
Soul / R&B / Funk
General: $52 | Senior: $47 | Group: $45
Saturday, November 21 · 1 show
The Bar-Kays ft. James Alexander
Funk and soul band featuring original member James Alexander
VIP: $75 | General: $65 | Senior: $60 | Group: $58
Saturday, December 12 · 1 show
Masters of Soul - Motown & More
Celebration of legendary Motown and soul music performers
General: $52 | Senior: $47 | Group: $45
Sunday, December 13 · 1 show
Masters of Soul - Motown & More
Celebration of legendary Motown and soul music with live band performances
General: $52 | Senior: $47 | Group: $45
Tuesday, December 15 · 1 show
Songs of the Season – Holiday Christmas Show
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Holiday classics spanning jazz, soul, gospel
General: $52 | Senior: $47 | Group: $45