Despite the autumn like breezes, music lovers from Highland Park to Hyde Park came out in droves to dance Samba to the sizzling rhythms of Orchestra de Samba at the first evening of Downtown Evanston’s It’s Thursday, Let’s Dance! 

In its tenth year, this six week, live band dance series features a different style of music each week, and kicks off the evening with a dance lesson at 6:30. With an all-ages crowd warmed up and ready to move, the band performs from 7:30 to 9:00, at 909 Davis St. Plaza, the south side of Church Street at Maple Avenue.

This week, Thursday, July 23, Let’s Dance welcomes Sidemen Big Band to the stage, featuring 18 of Chicago’s best professional musicians playing your favorite tunes from the big band era. Grab your sweetie and get ready to swing! Not a dancer? No worries, as there are plenty of people there just to listen and enjoy a lovely evening outdoors.

For complete band lineup: http://www.evmark.org/