The only thing that could possibly improve a lazy day at one of Santa Maria’s beautiful parks is live music. At least, that’s what the Santa Maria Parks and Recreation Department thought when it first started the concert series years ago.
“We started about six years ago; it was only four concerts,” said city recreation supervisor Dennis Smitherman, “and due to popular demand, it has grown every year.”
The series now boasts 15 concerts, running July 4 through Oct. 5. The first event is a special July 4th event at the Santa Maria Fairpark featuring the wildly popular Unfinished Business. The closing event will happen at the Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival, featuring the Appellation Bluegrass Band and Steppin’ Out in concert.
“People had talked about having an event during the summer time because there wasn’t a whole lot to do on the weekends in the valley,” Smitherman said, “and we really live in an amazing area for afternoon weather.”
The majority of the concerts are to be held at Rotary Centennial Park on College Avenue in Santa Maria. But the city has included a few extra venues this time, including Los Flores Ranch Park and even Town Center West.
“There is no better place for a country band like Monte Mills and the Lucky Horseshoe Band than Los Flores Ranch,” Smitherman said. “We are hoping people who enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding will come out and enjoy that one.”
All the concerts at Rotary Centennial Park and the one at Preisker Park are scheduled for 1 p.m., a time that works best to get larger numbers of the community out to the parks, Smitherman explained.
“We still have concerts at 1 p.m. because people like to go to church or just hang out in the mornings on weekends,” he said.
The city also held a community meeting regarding the concert series, inviting people who live in the areas surrounding the event. The feedback from the visitors was all positive, Smitherman said.
“Rotary and Preisker Park, they are both near neighborhoods, and so we are sensitive to how long all those parked cars will be there,” he said. “At the community meeting, no one was there to complain. Some people said they even sit in their backyard and listen.”
The concert series surely has something to make everyone in the community happy. The concerts—which are free to attend—include food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and booths representing local nonprofits. The selection of bands incorporates a variety of styles as well.
“We go from rockabilly to reggae, bluegrass to top 40 pops,” Smitherman said. “We only have so many weekends, so we really try to choose what is going to be liked by the most amount of people.”
Following the introductory July 4th concert, the first park concert at Rotary Centennial will include the concert series’ first children’s concert with groups like Little Beats and Birdie.
“Little Beats, he really provides a great interactive show,” Smitherman said. “All the kids will get buckets and shakers, and he will run through some basic beats and rhythms. It’s fun and it’s free so it will be a great experience for families.”
The popularity of the concert series is apparent in the number of concerts added to the once humble lineup, but more so when one considers that each and every band is paid by donations from local sponsors and organizations.
“If it wasn’t for our sponsors—all three Rotary Clubs, Inland Pacific Builders, and others—we couldn’t continue to hold these events,” Smitherman said. “The first concert started with 50 or 60 people, and now, depending on the band and the venue, we are seeing over 1,000 people at a concert!”
From when metal ruled
The Chumash Casino and Resort presents heavy metal groups Great White and Slaughter performing live on June 27 at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 2400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Cost is $25. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Celebrating American music
Temple Beth El presents a Fourth of July barbecue celebration featuring live music by Julio Boysenberry on banjo, Ron Miller on guitar, and Amaya Rose playing fiddle on July 4. Cost is $18 at the door, $15 in advance, $12 for members, $5 for kids younger than 13. RSVP is required at 354-0480 or tbe1cassel@gmail.com.
One mic, many people
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic featuring wine, poetry, and live music on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the tasting room, 126 East Clark Ave., Orcutt. More info: 332-3080.
‘Wine down’ with music
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “Wine Down Wednesdays” featuring live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 400 E. Clark, Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including Teddy Spanke and the Tex Pistols on June 28 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” with Owen Johnston” is June 29 at 3 p.m. Teddy Spanke and the Gang perform on June 29 at 7:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” until midnight at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 27 – Jul 4, 2013.