This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
06/06/2023 01:46 PMThe music returns to the Town Green and Jacobs Beach this summer with the Parks and Recreation Department’s annual concert series. The series will kick off with a special June concert and then resume weekly on Sunday, July 23, through Sunday, Aug. 27. Concerts are held on the Green on Sundays, and Jacobs Beach concerts are on Thursdays.
Park and Recreation Director Rick Maynard said the town is bringing back several favorites from previous seasons and also featuring some new acts. According to Maynard, he has brought back the bands that residents told him they wanted to see.
“The Leaf Jumpers got rained out last year, so we are doing a special concert with them at the end of June to kind of kick off the summer,” said Maynard. “We normally don’t do concerts in June, but we wanted to get these folks some time. So, that will start the season, but then the summer series won’t begin until later in July.”
The Leaf Jumpers, a local band playing power pop rock and roll from bands like REM, U2, and The Police, are scheduled for Sunday, June 25, on the Guilford Town Green at 6:30 p.m.
The series will kick off its regular schedule at the end of July, and Maynard said the Department tried to bring back some of the most popular performers from previous years.
“We really tried to go with the best bands that we’ve had over the last four years or so. They were groups who drew big crowds and got folks excited and dancing,” said Maynard. “We normally do five concerts, and we’re doing six this year, so we hope everyone will come out and enjoy these great bands.”
Maynard said he relies on tribute acts, as they bring the crowds in and never let audiences down.
“We have a number of awesome acts this year. Larry Stevens is very entertaining and talented; he does Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison. He has played before at both Jacobs and the Green; everyone really loved his set. Beau Bolero are a Steely Dan tribute, and everyone loved them too,” Maynard said. “They play everything, all the hits. They are amazing. Even if you don’t know the music of Steely Dan, their musicianship is incredible, and I think we had more than 1,200 people for their concert last year. Another Tequila Sunrise is also fantastic. They are an Eagles tribute, and they have a great reputation.”
Maynard said with so many styles and genres, finding bands with a wide appeal and are also available during the busy summer season can be challenging.
“The tribute acts are just great because they really draw a crowd. We often get over a thousand people at some of the shows on the Green. In fact, if we only get 500 people or so at a show, I get disappointed, but this year’s acts will definitely not disappoint,” Maynard said. “We are really excited for this season.”
On Sundays, concerts will be on the Guilford Green, with performances beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Leaf Jumpers will perform on June 25, and the series will resume on July 23 with a concert by Beau Bolero, a Steely Dan tribute band. On July 30, Larry Stevens will perform, and the Magic of Motown is on Aug. 6. Another Tequila Sunrise, an Eagles tribute, will perform on Aug. 20. The Brother Doobie, a Doobie Brothers tribute, will perform on Aug. 27. Rain dates for concerts on the Green are Sept. 3, 10, and 24.
Concerts at Jacob’s Beach are on Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. No beach pass is required. Mass Confusion is scheduled for July 13, Daily Planet is on July 20, Muddy Rudders performs on July 27, Fox Trotter is on Aug. 3, and the Blue Rhythm Band closes out the Jacob’s Beach season on Aug. 10.
A fireworks celebration and a performance by the Community Town Band are scheduled for Saturday, July 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Green. The action will then move to the Guilford Fairgrounds, 111 Lovers Lane, where the fireworks start at dusk. Cover to Cover will be onstage from 7 to 9:15 p.m., and there will be food, inflatables, and other entertainment for the kids.
“The Town Community Band is led by Mark Gahm, the band director at the high school, and this band puts on an hour and half-two hour show with a hundred musicians. He gets everyone from high school kids to college to adults to professional musicians. They are really entertaining and are going to be part of a very special day,” Maynard said. “They are always very well received.”
For more information, visit www.guilfordct.gov.