Free Outdoor Concert Series begins with The Caught Off Guards

The first outdoor concert of the summer will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2025 at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. Live music will be provided by The Caught Off Guards. The public is welcome to attend the free outdoor concert.

“We’re thrilled to kick off our summer outdoor concert series with the fantastic sounds of The Caught Off Guards,” said Renee Steingard, director of leasing and resident engagement at the Oak Park Arms. “It’s going to be a wonderful evening of music, community, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors here at Oak Park Arms. We warmly welcome everyone to join us for this free event!”

Members of the Caught Off Guards first met at an open-mic event at the NAMI drop-in center in Oak Park. Each musician has a love of Funk, R&B, Soul, Blues, and Jazz. They began as a backing band or live karaoke band for other performers, and in the process of mutual support, the Caught Off Guards emerged as a main act for community events.

Healing through the arts is the reason The Caught off Guards perform. They have performed at the Open-Door Theatre, Unity Temple, the Nineteenth Century Club, Cheney Mansion, and Oak Park’s Thursday Night Out. Band members include Charles Torpe, Carla Taylor, Gary Barkov. Kevin McDermott, Steve Coppola, Sylvester Czaijkowski, Carl Mugavero, and Francesco Forte.

Oak Park Arms Senior Living is a rental retirement community that provides senior housing in the form of independent living. A licensed home care agency is onsite to provide support services for seniors. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month, or longer.

The outdoor concert is open to the public. For more information call 708-386-4040.