Summer concerts start Sunday
It's time to kick off your shoes and enjoy the warmth of summer while dancing on the green, green grass of your local parks.
The free 2014 North Idaho Concert Series begins Sunday in the Coeur d'Alene City Park with a performance by the Kelly Hughes Band from 1-4 p.m.
This is the 20th anniversary of the Coeur d'Alene City Park Concert Series. The series began with the Downtown Coeur d'Alene Concert Series in Sherman Square Park in 1992. Concert series founder and producer Chris Guggemos, who also owns Handshake Productions, said this year's lineup will feature a plethora of new acts.
"It's exciting for me to have eight new bands that have never played in any concert series," he said. "Other than the first year when all the bands were playing for the first time, this would be the most that I can remember. It's exciting for me to bring in new bands for people to hear."
Guggemos said people can expect to see some returning favorites, such as the Beatles tribute group Meet Revolver, as well as innovative bands that create their own music, like Flying Mammals and Runaway Symphony. Mammals and Symphony will both play in Sherman Square July 29.
"They're very good at what they do, but it's going to be different," he said. "It's not going to be people playing 'Brown Eyed Girl.'"
Most of the bands that will perform this summer are local, but Guggemos said one band from the Tri-Cities is always asked to return.
I do have a really unique band that I have come up every year, Bram Brat, he said. They come up and they'll play Caribbean music, Beatles music, they'll play Beethoven. It's a very entertaining show, it's the most unique band, and I like to bring them up every year because they're the only ones who do this.
Concert-goers will be treated to a variety of musical tastes, from Irish-Celtic and rockabilly to Latin rhythms, African rhythms on marimbas and big band swing orchestra. Guggemos said the big band orchestras are a real attraction for people of all ages.
"It doesn't matter if they know the band," he said. "The attendance is always awesome. Big band/swing is always so upbeat and happy."
The concert series includes 27 concerts in 57 days. The Coeur d'Alene City Park Concert Series will feature performances Sunday afternoons in City Park from July 6 to Aug. 31. The Downtown Coeur d'Alene Concert Series in Sherman Square Park will be Tuesday evenings beginning July 8 and ending Aug. 26. The Hayden Concert Series in Hayden City Park will take place Thursday evenings from July 10 through Aug. 21 and the Rathdrum Concert Series will be Friday evenings in Rathdrum City Park starting July 25 and ending Aug. 15.
Info: www.handshakeproductions.net