Above, a past Concerts in the Plaza performance by Louie Ortega. Plaza shows are at 5:30 p. m. Fridays through late August.
If you’re in a local band, Concerts in the Plaza is about the best gig you can get.
The shows are outdoors at the San Luis Obispo Mission, usually with great weather and crowds of up to 3,000 people who are enthusiastic about the start of the weekend.
“It packs the plaza,” said Christy Tiaga, promotions coordinator for the Downtown Association, which puts on the popular summer event.
The series, now in its 13th year, is the model for numerous other summer concert series, from Paso Robles to Avila Beach. And, like the Concerts in the Plaza, all its offspring are doing well—so well that summers in San Luis Obispo County have become synonymous with outdoor music.
“They’re just kind of old-fashioned,” said Nora O’Donnell, recreation coordinator for the Grover Beach Parks and Recreation, which puts on the Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series. “People get to kick back on the grass and enjoy the afternoon.”
For local bands, the series offers exposure to new people. For parents of young children or those who might feel out of place at bars, the summer concerts offer a chance to hear local bands in a family setting.
And did we mention they’re all free?
Here’s a look at some of the places you can catch some local music this summer.
Concerts in the Plaza
When: 5:30 p. m. Fridays (through late August)
Where: San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza
About: The series, which began as a monthly event in 1996, has grown to a weekly concert with 13 bands (the most ever).
Interested bands are asked in January to submit music samples to the Downtown Association, which has a few general requirements: The bands have to be local; they have to have at least three members, and; they have to have dance-friendly music that fits the atmosphere.
This year’s lineup includes favorites Resination and Damon Castillo. New to the list is David LaFlamme, who performs Friday. LaFlamme, who recently moved to the county, had a hit with his band It’s a Beautiful Day in the ’60s with the psychedelic “White Bird.”
Another first this year is a July 4 double-billing with Sugar Daddy Swing Kings and the Shival Experience, which begins at 2:30. Twilight Concerts in the Park
When: 5:30 p. m. Fridays (through August)
Where: Paso Robles City Park Gazebo
About: While this series competes with the Concerts in the Plaza, there is room enough for both. In fact, the Twilight series, which attracts around 1,100 people a week, is still growing, said Rosa O’Sullivan, who is on the special events staff for the city of Paso Robles. Bands are taking notice — this year the city had its most-ever number of applicants submit CDs.
The city wants to introduce two to three new bands per year, O’Sullivan said, while welcoming returning favorites. This year’s new acts include Viper 6, Pryor Baird and the Deacons, and Up in the Air. The Mighty Croon
Dogs—which drew a record-breaking 1,800 people here — are among the returning bands.
The large park at Spring and 12th streets offers lots of room so it doesn’t feel overcrowded. And like most summer series, food and beverages are available.
Ten bands will perform during the series this year; there will not be a July 4 show.
More info: www.pasoroblesdowntown.org/information. htm
Afternoons in Avila
Where: The promenade at Avila Beach Pier
When: 1 p. m. Saturdays (though July 12)
About: It’s no surprise that Downtown Brew is behind this oceanfront series, which debuted this year. After all, DB is the leader in putting on local music. The Brew doesn’t make money at these shows (though local eateries benefit nicely), but it helps build their brand. And, said co-owner and series master of ceremonies Korie Newman, it’s just good to spread the local culture of music.
“I’m a local,” she said. “I grew up here. And I want this kind of stuff here.”
While it’s often foggy in places like Morro Bay at this time of year, Avila Beach is usually the place to go for sun and sand. So you’ll often see families, college students and tourists gathering here, offering bands a built-in audience.
To help out, Downtown Brew added an 18-foot stage with a primo sound system. In its third week it’s already a hit, with hundreds attending the first two shows. This week one of SLO’s most popular acts, Damon Castillo (with JD Project), could provide the series its biggest draw.
More info: www.afternoonsinavila.com Sizzlin’ Concert Series
Where: Ramona Garden Park, Grover Beach
When: 3 p. m. irregular Sundays (through late September)
About: Last Sunday, around 300 attended a concert put on by Soulamente, kicking off the fifth annual Sizzlin’ Concert Series here. The event, which usually features a show every other week, was launched with the help of a recreation class at Cuesta College, O’Donnell said.
The series has expanded from six to eight shows. An amphitheater area allows for dancing, and there’s space (sometimes with a bounce house) for kids to play.
When the series kicked off there were two bands per date, but that has been scaled back to one to eliminate downtime required to switch gear.
While some bands are regulars at the various summer shows, the Sizzlin’ series features more exclusive acts, like Critical Mass and Impromptu.
More info: www.grover.org/pdf/Summer Concerts-2008.pdf Arroyo Grande Village Concerts
Where: Rotary Bandstand
When: 1 p. m. Sundays (through late September) About: The series in Arroyo Grande actually alternates with the series in Grover Beach, the bandstand here providing a large stage for local acts. While most series feature a mix of rock, blues, country and jazz, the AG shows offer a nod to oldtimey and classical music. So, here you can see the SLO Youth Symphony, the Cuesta Chamber singers and the Village Band.
More info: www.grover.org/pdf/Summer Concerts-2008.pdf Saturday in the Park
When: 6:30 p. m. Saturdays (through late August)
Where: Atascadero Lake Park bandstand
About: With a large shaded park, plenty of picnic areas and a lake, this is a great place to see a concert.
“You’ve got the whole park to utilize,” said Ashley Lieser, event coordinator with the summer concert series put on by the city.
The series has been so successful (it typically attracts up to 750 people), it’s been extended the past two years. This year includes nine acts, including the JD Project, the Shamblers and the Martin Paris Band. Sensitive to the crowds attending the park, the city stresses that bands be family-friendly, Lieser said. Bands must also be from the county, she said.
This is a great place to catch a show before or after a trip to the nearby Atascadero Zoo.
More info: www.atascadero.org, click on special events San Luis Obispo County Band Twilight Concert Series
Where: Mitchell Park, San Luis Obispo
When: 7 p. m. Thursdays (through mid-August)
About: The SLO County Band has been around for 130 years. Led by director Leonard Lutz, who is both a musician and a magician, the ensemble band performs at various events throughout the county, but specifically in San Luis Obispo during summer Thursdays.
More info: www.slocountyband.org
McClatchy Interactive is pleased to be able to offer its users the opportunity to make comments and hold conversations online. However, the interactive nature of the internet makes it impracticable for our staff to monitor each and every posting.
Since The SanLuisObispo.com does not control user submitted statements, we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted on our website. In addition, we remind anyone interested in making an online comment that responsibility for statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not SanLuisObispo.com.
If you find a comment offensive, clicking on the exclamation icon will flag the comment for review by the administrators, we are counting on the good judgment of all our readers to help us.
Print
E-Mail
