Rain, rain, go away.
It’s almost time for Concert in the Park 2011.
The St. Johns City Park Performance Shell is where it’s at once again this year, hosting musical favorites and exciting newcomers in the summer music series that’s free – come rain or shine – each Wednesday evening, June 15 through Aug. 31. The music begins at 7 p.m.; bring a blanket or chair for lawn seating.
Talented musicians and singers from the mid-Michigan area and around the state are part of this year’s line-up.
“Our eighth season is strong, featuring a wide variety of performers who are all highly professional,” says Bill Tennant, chairperson of the Shell Programming Committee, adding the 2011 is especially memorable. “We’re dedicating this season to the memory of Kaye Pilmore who passed away earlier this year. She was a founding member and first director of the Clinton County Arts Council, started the Concert in the Park series back in the 1980s, and was instrumental in helping initiate the Performance Shell project.”
The always popular Jack Clarkson Band kicks off the series June 15. A number of guest performers join the band for the debut show, including former St. Johns High School orchestra director, Rodney Page. The Clarkson Band returns to the Performance Shell stage after a three-year hiatus.
Other returning groups from two years or more include John Kelly’s Slingshot, June 22; The Capital City Brass Band, June 29; The Capital City Chordsmen, Aug. 10; and Shepard’s Folly – a wonderful Celtic group who helped launch the Performance Shell during its 2004 inaugural season in 2004 – on Aug. 17.
New groups in 2011 include a popular Blues band from Grand Rapids, the Kanivers, that features WKAR host Melissa Ingells singing and playing keyboard. The group performs July 6. Bullwhip, a new Country band that’s drawing lots of attention takes the stage July 27, led by St. Johns resident, Jeff Dietrich. An award-winning group of teens from the Detroit area, Cats and the Fiddler, bring Bluegrass to the stage Aug. 3. The performance coincides with the Clinton County 4-H & Youth Fair.
Returning groups from last year include another installment of “Broadway Revue” July 13 that features students and adults from the mid-Michigan area performing a wide variety of Broadway favorites. The Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra performs light classical and popular music July 20 under the direction of Rodney Page, and one of last year’s most popular performances, Carl Cafagna’s Metro Jazz Voices, returns for the Aug. 24 show. The seven-piece group includes some of the best jazz players and singers in the Detroit area.
Last – but certainly not least – the King once again closes out the 2011 schedule, Aug. 31.
“The performance committee is pleased to have Matt King from Leslie back again as Elvis,” Tennant says. “Our audiences love him, and his appearance is a perfect ending to this year’s summer schedule.”
As in the past, the St. Johns Lions Club will have refreshments available for purchase each Wednesday.
Concert in the Park is presented by the City of St. Johns and Clinton County Arts Council, supported in part by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding for specific show dates is provided by local sponsors.
For detailed information on any of the show dates, email Tennant at wetennant@gmail.com; or call St. Johns City Offices, (989) 224-8944.