La Jolla is known for its lovely beaches, elegant boutiques, and tourist attractions, but what about a concert on the beach? The Birch Aquarium holds their own seasonal entertainment that doesn’t include the aquariums. The concerts take place right above the Scripps Pier on the Tide-Pool Plaza as you enjoy fantastic live music and a breathtaking sunset. At the concert, audience members may even see the actual green flash while enjoying the music. While notable acts like Jumping Jack Flash have already performed, on Wednesday, June 20 from 6 to 9 p.m., Steve Poltz, an unpredictable, hip-hop/rock/country singer performs on the sunlit stage. Poltz combines a soulful sound with a smooth melody to help the audience relax and feel his vibe. And on July 20, the aquarium offers the hit selling British rock band, the Fixx, led by lead singer Cy Curnin. As a major component of ‘80s New Wave music, the Fixx is ready to rock the waves with some classics. Although the month of August is thus far undecided for who will perform, Sep. 26 is lined up with a group that has worked with a band known for who they have worked with, the band Venice and the Pine Mountain Logs. This group has worked with the following artists: Led Zeppelin, the Jackson Five, Tom Petty, Outkast and many others. As you can tell, a hard list to beat. The concert series has become a smash hit for the Birch Aquarium and can only expect more. “The Green Flash summer concert series has become a signature event for the aquarium,” said director of marketing, Beth Chee. “We hope to continue the series well into the future, bringing more fantastic bands to our stage. And maybe even more events.” The concert series hosts around 700 audience members so the tickets move quickly. These concerts have been going on for 13 years now and has been a hit since the first show. Chee discusses why she thinks the concerts have been successful.
“I think there is something special about every Green Flash performance,” she said. “The unique venue makes for such a great vibe — even if you have never heard of a particular band, it’s still an amazing concert experience.”
For more information, visit aquarium.ucsd.edu/experiences/events/green-flash
Not only will there be uplifting live music, but there will also be available access to all exhibits while the concerts are going on. The doors open early to encourage everyone to see the extraordinary aquatic displays the Birch Aquarium has while enjoying the music. The concerts provide a fantastic time, but all of the earnings from the concert go to support the Birch Aquarium and educational programming for children, which even creates more of a reason to attend these concerts. One would be foolish not to attend these concerts especially if you love a little rock and hurry quick before the Tide-Pool Plaza runs out of space.