Yesenia Cancel sat in Fountain Square on Thursday night, clapping along as salsa music moved through the crowd. Around her, families gathered near vendors, children wandered between chairs and neighbors clapped along to the opening night of Downtown Summer Sounds.
For Cancel, an Evanston resident who is Puerto Rican, the music carried a personal meaning.
“I like salsa music because I am Puerto Rican,” Cancel said. “Having my kids listen to salsa and that be a normal part of their lives is really important to me.”
Downtown Summer Sounds is a free concert series organized by Downtown Evanston. Now in its third year, the event brings live music, vendors, artists, residents and visitors for nine consecutive Thursday nights from 6 to 8 p.m.
Music has been an integral part of downtown Evanston for years as they held live music events but slowed after COVID-19. When Andy Vick became director of Downtown Evanston three years ago, he said he wanted to make downtown feel active and a concert series became one way to answer that call.
“After COVID-19, a lot of people wanted me to bring music back to Evanston downtown,” Vick said. “So we brought it back.”
The event isn’t just about music. It is part of Evanston’s larger effort to support the business district by giving people a reason to come downtown, visit vendors, eat at restaurants and shop.
“One of the ways you can support a business district is by creating reasons for people to come,” Vick said. “That’s a win for our businesses and that’s really what this is all about.”
Laura Brown, Downtown Evanston’s director of marketing, said the concerts often coincide with the Thursday Night Market. Artists, makers, food vendors and local businesses sell their goods. Brown said the market compliments the music festival as hungry concert go-ers support their local vendors.
Brown said the organizers are actively trying to create an atmosphere that feels upbeat and welcoming. Performers are local, and nonprofits help select the bands on certain nights. Music is selected to appeal to different parts of the Evanston community.
“We aren’t looking for melancholic music,” Brown said. “We want uplifting sounds.”
For long-time attendees, the atmosphere is what makes the event feel different from a regular concert. Susan Kelly, a retired Evanston resident, said the concert is an effective way to support local businesses. She said she feels more connected to her community while listening to some good music.
“I think it’s really important to support the local businesses and support Downtown Evanston,” Kelly said. “It’s really nice to get a sense of community, to come out and listen to good music on summer night.”
For the opening performers, the smaller community setting also changes the feeling of the show. Trabuco Salsa Band members Xavier Rios and Lionel Vargas said local events allow musicians to interact with audience members in a way larger concerts often do not.
“We enjoy performing at these local, smaller events,” Vargas said. “We get to connect with people on a personal level.”
That connection is what Vick hopes people remember when the music ends.
“I hope that people leave saying, ‘Wow, that was fun. I want to go back next week,’” Vick said. “That’s the win for us.”
