Point Loma Summer Concerts announces its 16th season of concerts at Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd., featuring four new acts and a crowd favorite on the main stage and musical groups from Point Loma and Ocean Beach on the junior stage. “What I like most about Point Loma Summer Concerts,” chair Martha Phillips said, “is the feeling of neighborhood pride that shines during the concert season. The music brings families, neighbors and visitors together to celebrate summer and realize just how lucky we are to have the opportunity to experience events like these.”
All concerts are held on Fridays, with junior stage bands performing at 5 p.m. and main stage acts starting at 6:30 p.m. Here’s the line-up:
July 8: BETAMAXX – The ’80s never go out of style. BETAMAXX features pop music from Michael Jackson and Madonna to New Order and Depeche Mode to the rock ’n’ roll of Def Leppard and Bon Jovi.
July 15: Sully & the Blue-Eyed Soul Band – A nine-piece band playing blues, soul, funk and rock ’n’ roll.
July 22: The Highwayman – Tony Suraci and his 10-piece band channel the spirits of the original Highwaymen — Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson — in a tribute capturing the essence of the outlaw country movement.
July 29: Arena – This tribute band showcases the musical, visual and sensory experience of large rock concerts in arenas and stadiums from the mid-’70s to the mid-’80s. Aug. 5: Atomic Groove – A quintessential variety band with renditions of sophisticated jazz, treasured soul, classic rock and dance jams from the ’60s.
At the beginning of the series, crowds were estimated at 300 to 500 at each concert. These days, crowds swell to nearly 3,000. “The concerts are now a community tradition, with strolling teenagers who attended their first concerts in strollers,” said Kerri de Rosier, committee volunteer.
While many aspects of the concerts have changed, the warm community atmosphere remains the same – as do many of the concert’s sponsors, including original presenting sponsor Willis Allen Real Estate (which hasn’t missed a season), the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, the County of San Diego and many local businesses and local civic groups.
Due to the success of last year’s raffle ticket sales, the Summer Concerts board of directors announced its continued support for music education with donations to Point Loma High, Correia and Dana middle schools, along with the Recreational Music Center and Glen Fisher’s First Friday Club. The concerts committee also had an overwhelming response to its auditions for junior stage bands, emcees and patriotic song – so much so that the committee is adding a second junior stage band at each concert.
Fluorescent Grizzleys, The Mad Hatters, Look Both Ways, The Millionaire Beach Bums, Soul Arch, Air Go, Angela & Hannah, Fate By Friday, First Friday Music Club and Chihuahua made the cut to play the junior stage this year.
Concertgoers bring their own seating and/or blankets and can order dinner from one of the concert’s catering sponsors. Free parking is provided at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, at 1475 Catalina Blvd. Enter the parking lot on Chatsworth Boulevard. The free shuttle runs between All Souls’ parking lot and the park from 5 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, go to plconcerts.org.