Downtown event wraps up 6th year of summer music series
The final night of Bands on the Bricks’ six-week run was met with high hopes and praise Friday evening in downtown Aurora.
Audience members of every age made their way near the courthouse with lawnchairs in hand. The weather was perfect for attendees to bring their dogs out to enjoy the fresh air, while children moved excitedly across the street as they decorated the sidewalks with chalk and challenged each other on how many times they could spin their hula hoops.
Seeing the crowd being immersed with returning and new attendees alike reflects a contiunel growth pattern that sparks joy in Aurora Chamber of Commerce board member and Band on the Bricks founder Sara Sutherland.
“It’s been really great to see it get through another season for six more shows that we’ve had for people,” Sutherland stated.
An ongoing goal Sutherland has with each passing year involves introducing the community to three new bands with the promise that the other three band peformances feature the return of past years’ favorites.
“We try to mix things up a little bit, a variety of genres, but the overall formula I feel like it’s working really well,” Sutherland explained. “Just like before, regardless of the genre of band, they’re all playing covers that everyone knows, so it’s more of a community street festival, not a concert. We’re just encouraging people to come and look at the crowd. It’s a really super fun night.”
Performing the final event of the season was returning band Soca Jukebox, a popular interactive group of musicians that appeals to its audience with nostalgic songs and melodies that connect people of any age or musical taste.
The band’s lead vocalist and pan player, Clay Johnston, expressed his excitement in being able to return to Aurora, one of the group’s frequent stops on a Midwest concert tour.
“We do a ton of these concert series for different communities across Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska and we circled this one,” Johnston explained. “We like to have stuff that can appeal to folks of all generations. You have stuff that’s from the 1940s all the way up through like last year. We try to keep it all family-friendly and accessible and fun. It’s the stuff that makes us happy.”
Throughout the evening, concertgoers had the opportunity to grab food and drinks provided by generous sponsors who have grown fond of helping out each Friday night.
“As each year has come on, what has probably been the coolest thing that I’ve seen is how the businesses and even individuals have supported the events and found ways to infuse their businesses,” Sutherland commented.
Throughout the night, businesses had the opportunity to promote themselves and become familiar with locals. One of those included the Tempo Performing Arts Studio, which featured dancers performing styles they learned during summer camps.
“The businesses themselves that sponsor have the flexibility with their night, whatever they want, but it’s been really fun to see how much they’ve grabbed on to that kind of concept,” Sutherland said. “It’s been working really well.”
Also during the band’s intermisson, businesses in attendence hosted a raffle and giveaway that attendees could participate in through tickets they received along with their drinks. The purpose behind the gesture, outside of getting the crowd further immersed into the event, was to show appreciation to the buisnesses’ employees and their growing list of customers.
Another business that made its presence known Friday was Aurora Community Healthcare, with CEO Justin Wolf being one of many representatives helping at the event.
“Bands on the Bricks is a great community event.” he said.
Wolf is among local leaders who want their business to leave a mark at Bands on the Bricks, not just to promote what can be provided to the community, but to show they share the same vision as concert attendees.
“The healthcare business is stressful and it’s much more about just your patients and the workload you do,” Wolf said, “so a time to connect with your family and friends outside of work is always great. Events like this make people want to live in Aurora.”
Among the attendees Friday was Kim Crabtree and her friends, Marsha and Steve Pawley. The group sat among the vast majority of concertgoers who had previously attended a Bands on the Bricks concert.
“This is my second time coming,” Crabtree said. “I haven’t been regular, but I’ve enjoyed the ones that I’ve gone to and it’s good to see friends that you don’t always see.”
Regardless of how many performances concertgoers have attended, the atmosphere was always welcoming and offered time for attendees to enjoy each other’s company along with the music.
“We enjoy all the different kinds of music that they offered during the summer and it’s fun to get together as a small town and celebrate life,” Marsha Pawley observed.
“It’s a great community experience,” Steve Pawley added.
Bands on the Bricks has grown as far as sparking the attention of concertgoers outside of Aurora, such as Mark Bauman and his family, who traveled from Blue Hill Friday to enjoy the show.
“I liked the different styles,” Bauman replied. “They played a couple good songs. The rock and roll is good. It looks like everybody’s having a good time.”
Sutherland thanked those who supported this year’s concert series and announced that Bands on the Bricks will commence its seventh season on July 5, 2024.