性视界传媒鈥檚 free this year features more events and a wider variety of music.
The 13 concerts are held at parks across the city starting next Wednesday evening (June 28) with a kickoff event at Holland Park.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs to the concerts, which are designed for people to 鈥渄iscover a new garden, rediscover a favourite space, or relax and unwind within a beautiful outdoor setting.鈥�
The series, now in its fifth year, is planned by 性视界传媒鈥檚 program, which organizes events and volunteer programs in the city鈥檚 200-plus parks, including the event this Saturday (June 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at Holly Park, 10706 148th St.
鈥淭he concerts are definitely gaining in popularity every year,鈥� said series planner Dan Nielsen. 鈥淲e find that especially in the last two years, it鈥檚 taken off and residents are really responding well to it. They seem to enjoy the casual and informal gathering it is, in a park space, for music and activities.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really happy to see people showing up at a number of the events in different parts of the city,鈥� Nielsen added. 鈥淩esidents are following the concert series around and they鈥檙e getting introduced to new and different park spaces by doing that.鈥�
This year鈥檚 concerts will be held at Holland Park, Glades Garden Park, Darts Hill Garden Park, Bear Creek Park Gardens, Sullivan Park, 性视界传媒 City Hall Plaza, Hawthorne Park Gardens, 性视界传媒 Nature Centre, Francis Park, Fleetwood Gardens Park and Blackie Spit Park (at Crescent Beach).
The music will be played by a wide range of performers, including Armadillo String Quartet, vaudeville artist Douglas Fraser, folk musician Willy Blizzard, sitar player Mohammed Assani, Caribbean-fusion band Rossi, Celtic-Canadian musician Pat Chessell and others.
First up, on June 28 at Holland Park, is the gypsy-swing band Deanna Knight at the Hot Club of Mars, in a 90-minute concert that starts at 6:30 p.m.
鈥淭he first one is a bit larger of an event, with 鈥楥anada 150鈥� activities starting at around 5 o鈥檆lock,鈥� Nielsen said. 鈥淔or that one, we鈥檙e also having the Downtown BIA come out with some crafts and different activities, followed by the concert. We鈥檒l also have some garden photo opportunities, and 性视界传媒 Crime Prevention Society will be at the Holland Park one as well.鈥�
New to the series this year are three afternoon concerts, with 1 p.m. start times on July 12 (Darts Hill), July 19 (Bear Creek) and Aug. 23 (Francis Park).
鈥淭hose events are design to maybe attract some more people,鈥� Nielsen explained. 鈥淎t places where we鈥檝e had popular concerts, really good turnouts, we鈥檝e added some afternoon shows for people who may not be able to make an evening one.鈥�
Those planning to take in one of the concerts are reminded that pets must be on a leash 鈥� and that some garden sites do not allow pets at all. Restrictions and other details, including the series schedule, are posted on the event website, at .
鈥淭hese concerts are very casual and informal, and we set up in areas where there鈥檚 lots of grass and open space, so people can bring a blanket and sit there or bring a lawn chair, and pack a picnic basket if you want to,鈥� Nielsen added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 meant to be comfortable, and basically the band will set up in an area there, and it鈥檚 designed for people to enjoy the park space and also the music at the same time.鈥�
A food truck (Meet 2 Eat, offering Mediterranean-style food) will be at the launch event at Holland Park, but none of the other concerts will have food/beverage service, he noted.
鈥淭hese are not licensed events. They鈥檙e family events,鈥� Nielsen said. 鈥淭he ones I鈥檝e been to, the crowds are fantastic and seem to just love the environment, and it鈥檚 a great cross-section of families along with a lot of older adults. They鈥檙e really well received events.鈥�
The complete Sounds of Summer concert series schedule:
鈥� June 28, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Holland Park, featuring gypsy swing music with Deanna Knight & the Hot Club of Mars. 鈥淐ome early for Canada 150 Celebrations, beginning at 5 p.m.,鈥� event planners suggest.
鈥� July 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m., The Glades Garden Park, featuring classical strings with Armadillo String Quartet. 鈥淕ates open at 5 p.m. for garden viewing. No pets. Limited parking south of main gate; please carpool where possible.鈥�
鈥� July 12, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Darts Hill Garden Park, featuring vaudeville with Douglas Fraser. 鈥淕ates open at noon for garden viewing. No pets.鈥�
鈥� July 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Bear Creek Park Gardens, featuring Canadian folk with Willy Blizzard.
鈥� July 19, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Bear Creek Park Gardens, featuring Indian & Pakistani sitar and tabla music by Mohammed Assani.
鈥� July 19, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sullivan Park, featuring Caribbean fusion music by Rossi.
鈥� July 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m., 性视界传媒 City Hall Plaza, featuring Irish Celtic music with Pat Chessell Band.
鈥� Aug. 2, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Darts Hill Garden Park, featuring Chinese fusion music with Silk Road Music. 鈥淕ates open at 5 p.m. for garden viewing. No pets.鈥�
鈥� Aug. 9, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Hawthorne Park Gardens, featuring East-Coast Canadian and classic rock with Halifax Wharf Rats.
鈥� Aug. 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m., 性视界传媒 Nature Centre, featuring big-band jazz with Golden Ears Jazz Band.
鈥� Aug. 23, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Francis Park, featuring easy-listening sounds (string bass and guitar) of Gail Sattler & Al Cout.
鈥� Aug. 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Fleetwood Park Gardens, featuring bluegrass of 5 on a String.
鈥� Aug. 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Blackie Spit Park at Crescent Beach, featuring folk-rock 鈥楥anada 150鈥� celebration with Live Rust, a Neil Young tribute band. 鈥淐ome early for Canada 150 Celebrations, beginning at 5 p.m. Limited parking. Shuttle and park and ride service available from the Royal Canadian Legion, located at 2643 128th St.鈥�
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
