The lineup for the 2025 Harper Court Summer Music Series has been announced. Sponsored by the University of Chicago in partnership with Eric Williams of The Silver Room, the popular free outdoor concerts are scheduled for four Thursday nights in Harper Court, 5235 S. Harper Court, Hyde Park (53rd Street and S. Lake Park Avenue). Mario Smith, Chicago poet, educator, producer, and radio chat show host will serve as the emcee for the events.
The Harper Court Summer Music Series began in the summer of 2015, as a creative collaboration between The University of Chicago and Williams, who had just relocated his unimitable retail store and community gathering place to 1506 E. 53rd Street in Hyde Park from Wicker Park. The concerts were a summer tradition from 2015-2019, took a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, and have been back since 2022.
The 2025 lineup includes:
Thursday, June 5, 6-9 p.m.
ISAIAH COLLIER (7-8 p.m.) with DJ CRTLZORA (6-7 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.)
Isaiah Collier is a Chicago/Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, curator, activist, motivational speaker and educator.
Grammy-nominated Collier has shared the stage with many musicians both locally and internationally, including Chance the Rapper, Lewis Nash, Waddada Leo Smith III, Antonio Hart, Junius Paul, James Carter, Rene Marie, Carl Allen, Paul Rogers, Bennie Maupin, Rudy Van Gelder, Angel Bat Dawid, and many more.
Thursday, July 10, 6-9 p.m.
MIDNIGHT SUN (7-8 p.m.) with DJ SHAZAM BANGLES (6-7 p.m. and 8-9p.m.)
Established 1976, The Midnight Sun is not just a band, but a Chicago music institution, Assembled from Chicago’s elite funk, soul, and R&B talent, members of Midnight Sun have backed the biggest artists: The Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Buddy Guy, R. Kelly, Gerald Albright, Roy Ayers, Destiny’s Child, Brian Culbertson, The Emotions, Terisa Griffin, Fred Hammond, Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, The Ides of March, JD McPherson, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Jill Scott, Johnnie Taylor, CeCe Winans–the list keeps going.
Midnight Sun’s music sets are a curated selection of the deepest cuts from every era of funk, soul, and R&B- from all the way back to the present day, and best known for their ability to play the greatest music with remarkable precision and attention to the intricacies. With a dynamic rhythm section, horn section, and the most versatile vocalists around, Midnight Sun always gives a top notch and electrifying performance connecting audiences from every walk of life.
Thursday, August 7, 6-9 p.m.
MEAGAN MCNEAL (7-8 p.m.) WITH DJ LADY D (6-7 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.)
Meagan McNeal brings her own sunshine to every performance, combining a passion for people with a powerful voice that effortlessly spans the genres of jazz, R&B, soul, hip hop, rock, and classical music. Born and raised in Chicago, the singer/songwriter has lent her signature vocal style and radiant personality to collaborations with a diverse range of artists and ensembles, including Makaya McCraven, Common, The O’Jays, Eminem, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
In 2019, a viral video of Meagan singing house music on an El train in Chicago led to an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show. Regularly performing in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Notes for Peace concerts since 2018, Meagan brings her soulful voice and empathetic approach to original songs that commemorate youth lost to gun violence. In 2022, she also performed with members of the CSO, conductor Andrew Grams, and children’s rocker Justin Roberts in the ensemble’s school and family concerts.
Friday, September 4, 6-9 p.m.
DJ ERIC “ET” TAYLOR – 1ST ANNUAL HYDE PARK BEST STEPPERS CONTEST
Don’t miss DJ Eric “ET” Taylor and the 2nd Annual Hyde Park Best Steppers Contest! We’ll be awarding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies and cash prizes, so start practicing now!
Taylor has 40+ years DJ experience and is part of the elite V103 mix team.
The Harper Court Summer Music Series is hosted outside in Hyde Park’s Harper Court, and seating is not provided. Please feel free to bring your folding chairs, but remember to leave lots of room for dancing! Paid parking is available in the Harper Court garage (entrance on S. Lake Park Avenue just south of McDonald’s and in the surface lot on S. Harper Avenue. Paid street parking is also available. We encourage you to take public transportation or carpool.
Enjoy Bob’s Pizza, Chipotle, Daisy’s Po’ Boy & Tavern, Deep Purpl, Ja’ Grill, Roti Modern Mediterranean, Stan’s Donuts & Coffee, and Strugglebeard Bakery – all in Harper Court. Or sample one of the many great eateries on 53rd Street.
Support our neighborhood businesses by shopping local. Recyled Modern and Suuri Design are in Harper Court, and The Silver Room and other shops are right around the corner.
For a complete list of local businesses go to welcometohydepark.com.