Popular summer concert series back for seventh season
It’s officially that time again -- Bands on the Bricks will be kicking off this year’s concert series Friday with a performance featuring Mike Semrad & the Riverhawks.
Everyone is welcome to come to Aurora’s square to enjoy free, live music. The concert series runs for six weeks starting Friday and running until the end of the summer.
Bands on the Bricks is a rain or shine event, said organizer Sara Sutherland. No matter if it’s raining, blazing hot, or the perfect evening, bands will perform.
“Out of the 36 we have already had over the last six summers, we moved one up onto the bandstand because it rained the entire three hours, and last summer we had a storm roll through right after sound check, so we covered it up and then started once it was done,” she said.
And even when it’s hotter than hot, the trees on the northeast corner of the square provide shade for those who attend.
“You can bring your lawn chair or blanket and definitely grab your friends and family to join this free family-friendly street festival with food vendors, cold beer, kids activities and dancing in the streets,” Sutherland said. “The decibel level remains around 90 dB so that it is loud enough to enjoy, but not too loud to drown out conversations.”
The fun will be the same as years prior, with some new performers added to the mix.
In choosing musicians, Sutherland likes to keep a mix of old and new -- bands that have been successful in Aurora and new artists that will add some flair to the concert series.
“We try to get a variety of genres, but they are all cover bands and regardless of their official genre, the songs they sing are all popular enough tunes that you know them,” Sutherland said. “One of my personal favorites is Soca Jukebox and they will be back again this summer.”
The event founder looks forward to having people of all ages come out and enjoy their evening.
“I love that it really has become an event that you can just show up and see people to have a great evening,” she said. “You see people of all ages rolling in at whatever time works best for them, staying as long as they want and just enjoying the evening.”
To get updates and see who’s performing, follow Bands on the Bricks on Facebook.