Popular summer music series kicks off 7th season
Bands on the Bricks kicked off its seventh season Friday night with music by Mike Semrad and the Riverhawks.
With perfect weather and great music, the turnout for 2024’s first Bands on the Bricks was all they could ask for, said organizer Sara Sutherland.
“This has been probably one of the best first nights so far, which is great because we love to see the turnout (and) we also love to see setup go smoothly,” she said.
In past years, it took people a few weeks to really get into Bands on the Bricks, Sutherland said. But this year has been different.
“It seemed like in previous years it took people a couple of weeks to figure out that ‘Oh, yeah, it’s that time of year again,’ so that’s probably the most exciting thing,” Sutherland said. “It seems like people are looking forward to it so they can plan for it to be here right when it starts.”
Rita Bonner, who has lived in Aurora for the last 15 years, has been to every week of Bands on the Bricks since it started in 2017.
“I’ve been here since, I don’t know how long they’ve been going, but I’ve been here ever since,” she said.
Bonner loves the opportunity to listen to good music and get up and dance.
“(I love) the music and if I have somebody here to dance with, I love dancing. I love it,” she said. “I don’t do the best, but I try. Dancing is fun no matter what, whether you can do the steps right or not.”
Lead singer Mike Semrad also expressed his love for dancing.
Following in his dad’s footsteps, Semrad and his band try to recreate the vibe of the 1950s and 1960s music scene.
“It’s been, for me, trying to recreate that energy and trying to fit into that scene and bring it back (and) actually get people to dance again,” he said. “Can you imagine what it would be like if people started dancing again.”
Mike Semrad and the Nighthawks have played at Bands on the Bricks a few times in the past. It’s a favorite spot for the group.
“I love this spot. It’s beautiful. What a great, very old-fashioned downtown,” he said. “I think this town is very special. There’s something enlightening about it -- I don’t know what it is. It’s a step back into that sort of enchantment under the sea vibe.”
Bands on the Bricks will continue Friday with rock group Joey Leone’s Chop Shop from New York and Arizona.