Point Loma Summer Concert series runs Friday nights, July 20 to Aug. 17 for free, live music in San Diego
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK:
“Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer’s here and the time is right
For dancing in the streets!
They’re dancing in Chicago ...
Down in New Orleans ...
In New York City ...”
Hey! Don’t forget Point Loma ... and
Ocean Beach, too!
The original version of “Dancing in the Street,” written by William Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter and Marvin Gaye, was recorded by Martha and the Vandellas in 1964 as a Motown single.
For me (and apparently David Bowie and Mick Jagger, too, in their 1985 rendition, 21 years later), it remains a universal summer anthem. Sing a few verses and you’ll be ready to grab a blanket and head over to Point Loma Park for the peninsula’s first summer concert of 2018: Put your hands together and welcome Elton The Early Years, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, July 20.
The series continues for four more Friday nights with Young Guns, July 27; Full Strength Funk, Aug. 3; The Mighty Untouchables, Aug. 10; and (oh yeah, wait for it!) Who’s Bad? A Michael Jackson Tribute, Aug. 17.
“Our community concerts are the best-attended in the City,” boasted emcee Dave DeRosier. “Each one draws as many as 3,000 people — and this is our 18th year. A junior band opens each concert at 5:30 p.m. and the headliners start playing around 6:30 p.m. These junior bands try-out earlier in the year and are vetted by our Point Loma Summer Concerts committee.”
Food is available for purchase at the concerts and there’s always a raffle to support Point Loma school music programs.
An all-volunteer non-profit board runs the series with concert expenses covered by grants from the City of San Diego, its Arts & Culture Commission, and the San Diego County Community Enhancement program. The board also receives donations from the community, including founding presenting sponsor, Willis Allen, and the Point Loma Association.
Find Point Loma Park at 1049 Catalina Blvd., near the intersection of Varona Street. There’s free parking at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd. (enter the parking lot on Chatsworth). A free shuttle runs 5:30-8:45 p.m. between the church and the park. Find more event details at plconcerts.org
And remember: “It doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you are there. So come on, every guy, grab a girl, everywhere, around the world. They’ll be dancing, dancing in the street!”
Also, see a listing of more local events in our What’s Happening calendar at lajollalight.com/pointloma-obmonthly/events/sd-cm-point-loma-calendar-august-20180718-story.html
— Susan DeMaggio, editor of Point Loma-OB Monthly, can be reached at (858) 875-5950 or e-mail: editor@lajollalight.com
