What's Happening in the Community?

For summer evening fun in the Inland Empire you can head on over to Red Hill Community Park Amphitheater at 7484 Vineyard Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.  They will be held on Thursday nights from 7 to 9 PM beginning July 10 and continuing through August 14.

Here's their line up for this summer:

July 10 – Escape (Journey Tribute)

July 17 – Neon Nation (80’s)

July 24 – The Answer (Classic Rock)

July 31 – Surfing Safaris (Beach Band)

August 7 – Soto (Latin/Top 40)

August 14^th – Austin Law (Country)

Call (909) 477-2760 x2213 or visit Rcpark.com for more information.

The Claremont Monday Night Concert Series are held in Memorial park from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. This 9-week series is sponsored by both the City of Claremont and the Claremont Kiwanis Club.  Although the concert officially runs from 7:30-9:00pm, the concertgoers begin arriving as early as 6:00pm to select a space and enjoy dinner in the park. The Kiwanis Club offers a variety of concessions, from burgers, dogs and quesadillas to ice cream, popcorn, nachos, candy and drinks. Proceeds from the concessions fund the bands. This Monday Night Concert Series runs from July 9 - September 3, and is free and open to the public.

• Remember: Bring a picnic dinner, blankets and low chairs.
• Dogs are not allowed in City Parks other than Claremont Pooch Park.
• Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in any City Park.

Schedule

• July 7th The Ravelers- Classic Rock
• July 14th Claremont Symphony Orchesta
• July 21st Reno Jones- Blues Rock
• July 28th Silverados- Country
• August 4th The Answer- Classic Rock
• August 11th Yolanda Creole Woman- New Orleans Soul and R&B
• August 18th Up Stream- Reggae
• August 25th Night Blooming Jazz Men- Dixieland Jazz
• September 1st The Dogs- Alternative Classic Rock

For information call (909) 399-5490.

Keep watching for more local events.

Looking for another reason to get out on a summer evening?  The City of Covina also hosts a concert in the park for local residents on Monday evenings.  Along with this, they set up a good, old-fashioned farmer's market on Friday evenings from 5:00 to 9:00 PM in Civic Center Park with booths selling crafts, food, memorabilia, fresh produce and the like.  These two events give you a great excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the warm summer evenings.

Covina’s Starlight Concert Series are held at Covina Park, 301 N. Fourth Avene (4^th & Badillo) on Monday evenings beginning at 7:30 PM. Their schedule is as follows:

June 30 – The Answer. One of Southern California’s best classic rock bands is back by popular demand to kick off the summer with this fun and energetic show!

July 7 – Burn. Burn is a high-energy 17-piece original music band that appeals to all ages. Dick Clark was quoted as saying “Burn sounds like Earth, Wind, and Fire meets the Black Eyed Peas. I like the beat and you can dance to it.” A blend of R&B, Funk and Dance with a perfect combination of seasoned musicians and vocalists to set your soul on fire! Lead vocalists include Andrea Ballard of the former hit group “Sugar and Space” and famous rapper Chris Leon.

July 14 – La Sonora Internacional Show. Breaking attendance records at Covina Park last summer, the La Sonora Internacional Show is back for another spectacular performance. This band, better known as “La Sonora Dinamita”, plays Cumbia, Banda, Salsa, and Vallenato. Come dance the night away with songs like “Escandalo” and “Mil Horas.”

July 21 – Rubber Soul. A Beatles Tribute Band. Rubber Soul celebrates the Beatles and their music, not by impersonating, but by duplicating the wonderful sounds of this great band.

July 28 – Nitro Express. Nitro Express recently recorded the theme song on CMT’s hit TV series, “Trick My Truck.” This band is “hands-down” the finest country-rock band in Southern California. Nitro Express’s repertoire also includes songs from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Beatles, Billy Idol, and Bob Dylan.

August 4 – Covina’s Got Talent! (6:30 – 9:30 PM) Cheer for your favorite local talents! Lighthearted emcee and community judges will present and evaluate the best singers, dancers, and entertainers in town. Auditions – All ages welcome. Thursdays (July 10, 17 & 24) 6-8 pm at the Teen Center (Covina Park). Audition fee $5 – non-refundable.

August 11 – Teresa James and the Rythum Tramps – This band is a soulful blend of seasoned musicians whose lead vocalist, Teresa James, has been heralded by the Pasadena Weekly as “one of the most honest, gutsy, incredible singers you’ll find.” Together they have created a sound that is funky and greasy (New Orleans meets Texas Blues). Teresa James has toured with many great singers, including Bonnie Raitt who was quoted stating, “I’ve been a fan of Teresa’s voice and writing for a long time. Her legions of fans, including me, are so glad to finally have both on her new CD.” This performance is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

If you haven't seen Covina's downtown, you should head over and check it out.  There are lots of quaint shops and great places to eat.  If you would like more information about what's happening in the City of Covina, check out their website at http://www.ci.covina.ca.us/week/index.htm.

The City of Glendora is another family-friendly city nestled in the foothills.  The 2008 Summer Series of Concerts in the Park in the City of Glendora are sponsored by Rain Bird. Performances are held in the Bandshell at Finkbiner Park in the Oak Grove area off of Cullen Avenue. Concerts begin at 6:00 PM on Sunday evenings.  Their schedule is as follows: 

July 6 – The Answer (Classic Rock)

July 13 – The Wonderelles (50’s & 60’s)

July 20 – The Wiseguys (Big Band)

July 27 - Hotel California (Eagles Tribute Band)

August 3 – Rodeo Drive (Cabaret/Show Tunes)

August 10 – Surfin’ Safari (Beach Boys Tribute)

August 17 – Cold Duck (Classic Party Favorites)

Please note: No dogs are allowed in the park.

I know that these concerts conflict with those being held in La Verne so you will need to pick out the bands that strike your fancy and head in either direction.  Whichever you choose, you are sure to have an evening of fun and entertainment - and the best part of all is that it is FREE!

For more information about Glendora and the service it has to offer, check out their website at http://www.ci.glendora.ca.us/.

The City of La Verne offers great weekend entertainment in the Concerts in the Park that they offer on Sunday evenings.

The La Verne Heritage Foundation and the City of La Verne jointly host the city’s Concerts in the Park series. Along with a great night of entertainment, there are also several booths set up offering great food and beverages for sale. They also hold a 50/50 drawing each week. All concerts are held at Heritage Park, 5001 Via De Manison (off Wheeler Avenue) in La Verne at 6:30 PM. The line-up for this summer season is as follows:

Sunday, June 22
    Sapadilla – Caribbean Reggae 
    www.sapadillamusic.com

Sunday, July 6 - 6th Annual Harley Rally
    The Doo Wah Riders – Country Rock 
    www.doowahriders.com

Sunday, July 20
    Suave – Variety
    www.suavetheband.com

Sunday, August 3
    Hotel California – Eagles Tribute Band
    www.hotelcal.com

Sunday, August 17 - 6^th Annual Vintage Car Display
    The Ravelers – Oldies
    www.ravelers.com

Sunday, August 31
    The Answer – Classic Rock
    www.theanswertoclassicrock.com

These concerts are a great way to spend a relaxing evening with the entire family.  For more information about the City of La Verne and what they have to offer, check out their website at http://www.ci.la-verne.ca.us/.

Summer is my favorite season of the year.  It is a time when the days are longer and there are more and more reasons to spend time outside.  Here in San Dimas (and also in the surrounding cities of Glendora, La Verne, Covina, Claremont and others) the residents are treated to a free evening of family-friendly entertainment in the form of Concerts in the Park.  What better way to relax and enjoy the outdoors and the company of friends, family and neighbors than to take a picnic dinner and your folding chairs and get lost in the variety of music offerred by our local cities?

The 2008 San Dimas Music in the Park concert line up brings a wonderful variety of music to Civic Center Park. The concerts take place every Wednesday beginning June 25 beginning at 7 pm. Civic Center Park is located at 245 Bonita Avenue in San Dimas. Here is a brief look at each band that is performing this year.

June 25 - INVASION - The British Invasion in all its' majesty returns to entertain us with music from the Beatles, The Stones, The Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, The Animals and many more.

July 2 - COLD DUCK - One of the most popular bands in the San Gabriel Valley, Cold Duck is back with one of the hottest horn sections around. The beat keeps us movin' while the songs keep us groovin' to the best music of the last three decades.

July 9 - SILVERADO - Don't let the name fool ya' This is not some sleepy, country, hillbilly or bluegrass combo. Silverado has proven themselves to be the purveyors of some of the hottest hits to cross the radio waves.

July 16 - RENO JONES - With a smoldering lead vocal that could put Janis or Aretha to shame, all that is needed is a backup blues band that can deliver the goods. You've never heard the blues like they are played under the scorching sun in San Dimas, rolling down the river.

July 23 - FIVE IN CRISIS - Don't worry, there is no emergency here. Just good music played by seasoned musicians. From ballads to rock n' roll, they make you go back and remember the good times with songs you haven't heard lately.

July 30 - THE ANSWER - More than 10 years have passed since they first started playing in the Park, and we still can't get enough of them. Gathering tunes from the '60's to the present, they seemingly do it all.

August 6 - KOPY KATS Featuring DONOVAN as Elvis. Debuting with his celebrated backup band Donovan opens the set with some great standards. Taking to the stage in full regalia, Donovan brings Elvis Alive!

August 13 - BETTER CHEMISTRY - Fresh from "bringing the house down" at the House of Blues," this 9 piece reggae band returns to San Dimas to rock the town. Incorporating horns, electric guitar, percussion and a jumping, turntable DJ, they take the Rastafarian mantra to new heights.

For more information please call the City of San Dimas Parks and Recreation Department at 909-394-6230 or check out the city's website at http://www.cityofsandimas.com/.

So pull up a blanket (or folding chair) and your favorite picnic dinner and ENJOY!  Hope to see you there!

I will post the schedules for other surrounding cities in the future so keep watching...