GILROY
– Gilroyans can cut a rug to the sounds of the Big Band era or
simply enjoy a nice Sunday picnic with musical accompaniment this
weekend in the first of the city’s free Sunday concerts.
GILROY – Gilroyans can cut a rug to the sounds of the Big Band era or simply enjoy a nice Sunday picnic with musical accompaniment this weekend in the first of the city’s free Sunday concerts.
Gilroy Community Services’ free “Summer Concerts in the Park” kicks off Sunday at 5 p.m. with the South Bay Swing Band, which plays the music of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s popularized by greats such as Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.
Lead vocalists include Patti Lemon, Sandra Marlowe and Ted Sanchez. The bandleader is Steve Chambers.
Audience members are free to bring a picnic dinner. Supplementary snacks will be offered at a concession stand.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to come enjoy an evening in the park at no charge,” said Cathy Mirelez of the Community Services department.
July 13 will feature the mariachi sounds of Mariachi California, while The Corvairs will bring their 1950s and ’60s tunes on Aug. 10.
The concert series has been an annual local tradition for more than 20 years. It has focused on local bands the last two seasons in order to promote local talent and keep expenses manageable.
“We’ve tried to schedule bands that will provide different music to satisfy the musical tastes of the community,” Mirelez said.
The concert series is sponsored by a $2,500 grant from the Community Foundation Silicon Valley and $2,500 in collective contributions from Goldsmith Seeds, the Gilroy Rotary Club, Gilroy Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, South Valley Disposal and Recycling, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6309, Rosso’s Furniture and DiCar Insurance Marketing.
Cultural arts staff with the city’s Community Services Department raise funds all year and provide in-kind sponsorship of staff time and use of the park.
Sunday’s concert is from 5 to 7 p.m. in the amphitheater at Christmas Hill Park. The amphitheater includes a concrete dance floor in front of the elevated stage and tiered bench seating.
