The Lompoc Library Foundation has been offering a concert series every year since 2007 as a gift to the community that’s given the small nonprofit so much support. The “Concerts on the Library Lawn” always feature three consecutive concerts in August that bring fun, relaxing music to the patch of grass outside of the library.
“We did the first one to celebrate the centennial year of the library here,” said president of the Lompoc Library Foundation Suzanne Schwark. “It was such a success we thought we would try to make it an annual event.”
The concert series has been popular every year due to the usual lineup of quality musicians. The Southside Bluegrass Band with Charlie Bockius led the charge this year, performing the first show on Aug. 4.
“We were excited to have Charlie back because he has been off to some of the festivals around the country,” Schwark said. “They are called the Southside Bluegrass Band I believe because they play often at Southside Coffee Company in Lompoc.”
After the rapid-fire picking of banjos and mandolins, the tone will shift to a more soothing music set for Aug. 11. The Jazz Divine Quartet, led by Geoff Moran, is a well-known Lompoc-based ensemble. While enjoying a following among local spiritual communities for its jazzy worship music, the Jazz Divine Quartet has expanded its repertoire to include more standards and has been performing at more local restaurants and wine tasting rooms.
“It’s nice, easy-listening jazz with some familiar songs and provides a relaxing afternoon,” Schwark said. “They also played for us a couple of years ago so we are having them back again for their second library lawn performance.”
Finishing off the concert series will be “POPS on the Green,” featuring a coalition of musicians and ensembles led by Lompoc POPS Orchestra concert master Diane Siminski. She’s known for being able to wrangle up groups of fabulous local musicians, as is the case with the program she’ll be providing on Aug. 18.
“She has what is called the ‘Star Spangled Ensemble,’ which is a patriotic ensemble,” Schwark said. “It will be just like an old-fashioned concert in the park with a salute to the military families and salute to America type music.”
Each of the music genres presented at the “Concerts on the Library Lawn” series is distinctly American. While in years past the foundation has included other types of genres, the current this year seemed to be pulling toward American sounds.
“I think the word that comes to mind is ‘comfort’ in that these are songs that you grew up with,” Schwark said. “Although we like new things and being exposed to new things, the fall back is always a nice familiar tune.”
The foundation puts on the concert series to thank the community for the support it receives in its book endowment program, which provides books, ebooks, and audiobooks to the Lompoc Library, Vandenberg Village Library, and Buellton Library.
“The foundation, as a publicly supported nonprofit, is able to contribute to the service of the library by providing additional books and materials,” Schwark said. “Since 2006 we have donated $48,000 in books solely from the earning made from the principle on the endowment, so it continues to grow and people continue to make contributions and recognize that the library is a wonderful aspect to the community, providing information in all formats to all ages.”
The Lompoc Library Foundation invites any and all to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the show, which is tucked behind the library to avoid the Lompoc winds, Schwark explained. The local Lions Club will also be on site with barcecued food for sale.
“We put the musicians in the back corner there so the wind is on the back of everyone who sits and watches,” she said. “It’s a very, very pleasant place.”
Make it out to Koehler
Koehler Winery presents its summer concert series featuring a performance by Sean Wiggins on Aug. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Koehler Winery, 5360 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos. More info: 693-8384 or koehlerwinery.com.
Get ready to rock
The Chumash Casino Resort welcomes the Queen Nation tribute band performing a live concert Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort’s Samala Showroom, Highway 246, Santa Ynez. More info: 1-800-585-3737 or chumash casino.com.
Park yourself
Concerts in the Park is a free concert series presented by the City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, PLAY Inc., and Santa Maria Rotary Clubs featuring Unfinished Business performing live on Aug. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park on College in Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.
Live in the Vintners Bar and Grill
The Radisson Hotel presents live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m. including Juan Marquez on Aug. 9 and 10 at 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Music and more
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 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More info: 332-3080.
Time to ‘wine down’
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “Wine Down Wednesdays” featuring live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro, 400 E. Clark Ave., Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Maverick jams
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including live country by Dusty Jugz on Aug. 9 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring Teresa Russell is Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. Dusty Jugz and friends perform on Aug. 10 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. 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 Aug 8-15, 2013.