Seven sizzling hot concerts featuring popular Bay Area bands are scheduled June 17 through August 18 in the Central Park Pavilion. Four Friday evening concerts go from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and three Sunday afternoon concerts from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The free summer concerts are sponsored by the Santa Clara Cultural Commission in the hope of bringing residents together to make new friends, picnic, listen to high-octane music and dance–possibly with abandon–outdoors.
As a bonus, American Legion Post 419 at 958 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara, is jumpstarting the outdoor concert season on June 10 with live music by the Rockin’ Blues Express from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at its free, annual Classic Car Show, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Rockin’ Blues Express then comes to Central Park on July 21.
The Rockin’ Blues Express describes itself as “extremely HOT but very COOL and exciting–a six-piece Rockin’ Blues machine” with professional, life-long musicians. Some tunes are bluesy vocals or four-part harmonies. Others feature “smokin’ hot, battling, dueling harmonicas.”
All the bands promise, in similar words, to be hot, cool and exciting. The cover band Private Label kicks off the summer concerts series on June 16. The five-member band plays everything from nostalgic dance hits to eclectic rock and features Lisa Allen, a classically-trained rock vocalist with a four-octave range. Allen is one of only two women on the summer band line-up. The LyraTones, playing on July 30, also have a female vocalist.
The summer concert series ends August 18 with The Hitmen, seven musicians who have been performing together for more than 20 years. Their repertoire includes hits from the 70s to modern day favorites and Latin songs. They’ve created their own smooth style of transitions for medleys.
“Everyone looks forward to the concerts in the park every year, and this year we are bringing more,” said Cultural Commissioner Harbir Bhatia. “It’s about celebrating our Santa Clara community and strengthening the sense of community with each other. Music, art, dance, food–all bring us together and bind us to each other.”
Why not clip and post the Central Park summer concert schedule below on your refrigerator? Learn more about the bands on their individual websites and Facebook pages. For information about the Cultural Commission and the events it sponsors, visit the City website: www.santaclaraca.gov.
2017 Central Park Free Concert Schedule
June 16, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Private Label Band
July 7, 6:30 pm. to 8 p.m. – Orquesta Latin Heat
July 16, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Johnny Neri Band
July 21, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Rockin’ Blues Express
July 30, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – The LyraTones
Aug.13, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Daze on the Green
Aug. 18, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. – The Hitmen
