Long's Park Summer Music Series
There may not be something for everyone, but with styles from jazz to Celtic to folk and a marching band featuring stiltwalkers, the Long's Park Summer Music Series should please many.
The lineup features Booker T, a blues legend perhaps best known from Booker T. & the MGs.
There will be a rare repeat with Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.
He's back "because last year there was a downpour of biblical proportions," Rich Low, summer music series director, said Tuesday. "That's a shame, because that was some of the best music I ever heard."
And that's what the series is about.
"Not something for everyone, but a lot of different kinds of music that will attract different kinds of core audiences," Low said after announcing the lineup at The Ware Center in downtown Lancaster.
Each October, a music committee begins scouting for acts, he said.
"There's a guy who really likes Celtic, there's a guy who really likes jazz. I'm the rock 'n' roll guy," Low said.
"We try to keep it fresh and if we're doing our job right, a couple years after they've been here, we can't afford them," Low said. "Because we can catch them on the way up."
For instance, Low said, he doesn't think he could now afford Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, who played in 2010.
He feels that will be the case with Dawes, roots-rockers from Los Angeles.
"We were lucky to get in when we did. … I started the courtship back in January. I think they're going to be huge," Low said.
The series is sponsored by the Long's Park Amphitheater Foundation, which is celebrating its 50th birthday.
Scheduled to appear during this year's series are:
• June 3, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds — modern spin on soul and blues.
• June 10, Arturo O'Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.
• June 17, Mia Borders and band — bluesy singer-songwriter.
• June 24, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, folk legend Woody Guthrie's granddaughter and her husband.
• July 1, The 257th Army Band, Charlie Smithgall's cannon brigade and fireworks.
• July 4, Allegro: The Chamber Orchestra of Lancaster, Brian Norcross directing.
• July 8, City Rhythm Orchestra — big band and swing.
• July 15, The Victor Bailey Band, fusion bass guitarist and his jazz/funk band.
• July 22, Dawes — California-based roots rock.
• July 29, MarchFourth Marching Band — Portland, Ore.-based marching band, with a mix including jazz, ska, metal and stiltwalkers.
• Aug. 5, Lúnasa — Irish acoustic.
• Aug. 12, Booker T — classic soul legend and his new band.
• Aug. 19, Joshua James — rock and folk singer-songwriter.
• Aug. 26 Michael Kaeshammer — jazz-infused R&B piano showman.
All shows start at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 735-8883 or go to longspark.org.
