Concert in the Parks series expands to seven events

The Red Wing Arts Association will present musical entertainment Wednesday nights from July 8 through Aug. 19.

Concerts will be in the park’s new band shell, which is being dedicated July 4 with an all-afternoon concert featuring songs from “Fiddler on the Roof” performed by Phoenix Theatre actors, the Rosanne Cash Duo, Roomful of Blues and the Sheldon Brass Band.

The Wednesday night concerts will start at 7 p.m. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. If it rains, the music will move to First Lutheran Church.

“We have scheduled a wide variety of music styles, from big band to bluegrass,” Arts Director Dan Guida said. He added, “This will be the first concert series in the Central Park Band Shell.”

The series, which has expanded to seven concerts, is made possible with grants from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota Legislature.

Concerts follow:

July 8 — Generation II, a local big band. “This concert is a chance to hear the great ‘40s hits like ‘String of Pearls’ and ‘Tuxedo Junction,’” Guida said.

July 15 — Jug, a new local country/ rock band. Red Wing members of the young group include Kale Olson-Reed and Phil Hanson.

July 22 — “Feelin’ Groovy,” a Simon and Garfunkel tribute. The performers will make it a night to remember tunes such as “Sounds of Silence” and “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”

July 29 — The Back Channel Blues Band, another local band with a strong following. Led by The Fabulous Fungi, the band is known for belting out the blues.

Aug. 5 — Patchouli, consisting of Julie Patchouli and Bruce Hecksel from Maiden Rock. The duo performs folk music with guitar accompaniment.

Aug. 12 — Long Time Gone, a bluegrass band. This group promises “toe-tapping great music” on fiddle banjo and guitar.

Aug. 19 — Two groups will perform. The first set will feature Hot Flashes, a women’s vocal group that performs familiar pop tunes. Closing out the night, and the concert series, will be The Bald Eagles, a local group that plays smooth Dixieland jazz.

Tags: arts and entertainment, red wing arts association, concerts in the park, lifestyle