Free Summer Concerts

Free Summer Concerts is the fourth in a series of articles about having fun in the sun in Long Beach, California.

When it comes to music, the city of Long Beach in California does not discriminate. Whatever your taste in music is you are bound to find it featured at a concert or festival. Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Cajun, Zydeco, Mariachi, 1950s' Oldies, 1940s' swing, hard rock, classic rock, Polynesian, Cambodian, Classical~the list is endless! For the person with eclectic musical tastes Long Beach is like a little bit of heaven on earth. Local bands often provide entertainment at various celebrations, but I have also seen stars such as Thelma Houston, Rolls Royce, the Coasters and Santana perform, all for free.

In conjunction with Long Beach's annual Sea Festival the city hosts Free Summer Concerts. The Long Beach Municipal Band has been providing entertainment to Long Beach residents for 98 years. They are a popular main attraction at the free concerts in area parks. Music starts at 6:30pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout the summer, appearing at a different park each night. People bring picnic dinners, folding chairs or blankets socializing with friends, family and neighbors. They tap their feet and clap wildly, but it seems no one gets up and dances.

I made a complete spectacle of myself one year when, unable to sit still a moment longer, I asked a homeless man to dance with me. He was originally from Mississippi and was an excellent swing dancer. He actually picked me up tossing me to either side a move I have never done, but only seen on television or movies. After 3 high energy dances he was sweating, I was exhausted and gladly gave him a dollar to get himself a beer.

This year the Municipal Band kicks off the summer concert series at Whaley Park on Tuesday, June 26, 2007. June's theme is "Strike Up the Band". Patriotic music will highlight the July 4th week concerts with "An American Salute". The concerts continue throughout the summer with a different theme each week. One need not travel too far from their neighborhood to enjoy the Long Beach Municipal Band's music. Long Beach is home to 92 parks and the Municipal band has some competition due to free summer concerts on the throughout the city.

This year the Long Beach Sea Festival also hosts Thursday Night Twilight Concerts in the Park. There are also free lunchtime concerts on weekdays at noon in downtown Long Beach. Tuesday's lunchtime music is held by the parking deck in the newly revitalized "outdoor mall". Two members of "Sounds of Paradise", a Caribbean band from Anaheim, California is typical of the entertainment. Brad on steel drums sings vocals, while Chris provides rhythm on drums, putting their spin on pop songs such as "Margaretville", "Can See Clearly Now" and "Hey, Jude".

Friday nights there is live music on Ocean Boulevard in front of the popular Rock Bottom Brewery. Last summer a section of Pine Avenue was blocked off to provide more free music and dancing in the streets. I recently caught another free concert in "hobo alley" behind Long Beach's "Acre of Books". Music was provided by Big Harmonica Bob & the Outsiders and enjoyed by homeless people and homed as well! They will be giving a free sample of their music on most "2nd Saturday Art Walk" Saturdays.

Unrelated to the Sea Festival is a group that meets at the beach on Alamitos and Ocean Boulevard on Sunday afternoons. A group of drummers gather to hone their bongo drum skills, entertain and just have fun. The guys invite beach goers to join the drum circle. Some of the talented drummers are homeless people. The music is not limited to drums, as the impromptu gathering will draw people who bring their own instruments, such as hand carved flutes. Bells, shakers, maracas and tambourines are available for anyone who wants to join in and create unscripted music. In addition to the music there is a lot of creative dancing; even a trained belly dancer has been known to participate.

My favorite way to have fun in the sun in Long Beach California is enjoying the Free Summer Concerts. But Long Beach's Sea Festival offers more than music, Pirates and sand Sculpture contests. Coming up next: sports.

More Information:
Long Beach Municipal Band, with PDF link to 2007 Season Free Summer Concerts Schedule
Sounds of Paradise
Big Harmonica Bob & The Outsiders
Long Beach California Sea Festival
Long Beach California "Guide for Visitors" including Lodging information