This marks the year that the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council launches its Concerts in the Park series. The first of those concerts — and the only one for 2013 — will take place on Sunday, July 28 in Emerson Park (1116 W Alice) [map] from 4-6pm.

Admission to the concert is free. The R&B/soul band Island Soul will be performing, and Smokin’ Rome’s food truck will be on hand serving up his delicious BBQ and soul food. So it’ll be a feast for at least two of the five senses.

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnic items as well as friends and family — but please leave any alcohol at home. And that goes for trying to consume it discreetly, too. Otherwise it jeopardizes the possibility that these concerts will continue in the future.

Eline Helm has been instrumental (no pun intended) in getting these concerts off the ground. She arranged the venue, took out the necessary permits and insurance, sought out the band, and handled all the funding. Mallory Battista pitched in by designing the eye-catching poster you see above, and Jackie Wheler designed the promotional brochure that will be available at the concert.

We also had a very generous donor on the neighborhood council who ensured that we had the initial money to do all this. Neighborhood businesses who chipped in are Zip’s on N. Monroe, Caffe Delicio, the West Central Association of Businesses and the Corbin Park Homeowners Association. Hamilton Studio is kindly loaning their PA for use at the concert.

If things go smoothly and there’s an encouraging turnout, this year’s concert will serve as a stepping stone to more ambitious series in coming years, which will be held in both Corbin and Emerson Parks.