WORTH THE TREK:
Tinley Park By JESSI VIRTUSIO/ SOUTHTOWNSTAR
Heading to a concert at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park? Then make a day of it with these cool spots in the village. The Vogt Visual Arts Center, 17420 S. 67th Court (708) 309- 4371; tinleyparkdistrict.org Housed in an 1882 structure that was the home of Tinley Park’s first mayor, Henry Vogt, the gallery offers a look at history. “People should stop by here because we are really a hidden treasure,” said gallery director Julie Dekker, who is also a citizen journalist columnist for Chicago Sun-Times’ sister newspaper the SouthtownStar. “We house a lot of wonderful artwork that people don’t realize is in this area. We feature local and regional artists every month. People don’t realize it’s right in their midst. Some people think art sounds boring, but our exhibits are so interesting.” “Abstracts, Jewelry and Pottery” by Patricia Moore, Beverly Szaton and Joyce Riley is the July show. August’s show will be “Reflections: Four Artists’ Look at Life.” Admission is free. Benches on the Avenue, Oak Park Avenue between 165th and 183rd streets,(708) 444-5000; tinleypark.org Themed Fairy Tale Festival, Benches on the Avenue features 20 pieces on display through Oct. 1. “It’s art at its finest,” said Don Zak, co-artist with Marty Rose of the 3-D “Beware of the Sugar- Sweet Lair,” a “Hansel and Gretel”- based bench. Oak Park Avenue not only features the 10th annual public art project, but the thoroughfare is the main street in downtown Tinley Park. One can have a meal or drinks at restaurants and bars like Durbin’s, 17265 S. Oak Park Ave., (708) 429-1000, durbinspub.com; Ed & Joe’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, 17332 S. Oak Park Ave., (708) 532-3051, ednjoes.com; or Isabella Italian Cafe and Catering, 17211 S. Oak Park Ave., (708) 444-8555, isabellacafe.com. Go to
downtowntinley.com for more information on dining, events, shopping and services. Odyssey Fun World, 19111 Oak Park Ave. (708) 429-3800; odysseyfunworld.com This family fun center offers indoor redemption games and outdoor activities such as speed boats, which are billed as one of the only attractions of their kind in the United States. The nextdoor Odyssey Sweet Spot sports bar ( odysseysweetspot.com) along with US99.5 hosts a Country Concert Pregame Party Series before select shows at the nearby First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. “Our big thing is to come out and have a good time before the concert and get a couple of cheap drinks,” Odyssey marketing director Ryan Jacobs said. “We’ve got the live band just to get them in the mood to hear some good music.” Upcoming parties ($5 cover) include Aug. 3 for Blake Shelton, Aug. 17 for Rascal Flatts and Sept. 7 for Miranda Lambert.