On Thursday nights, the volume is turned up and local residents are invited to have some fun on the beach.
The Groton Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled yet another summer of musical talent and family fun. The 2008 Summer SoundWaves Concert Series kicked off June 19 at Esker Point Beach with five-member band Double Fisted. High Times’ performance was washed out June 26 so their blend of blues and jazz has been rescheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 7. All rescheduled concerts run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the next rain date will be Aug. 14.
“So far they’ve been going great,” Program Supervisor Ben Morse said, referring to the concert series. He said from what he’s heard, Sugar’s performance on July 3 was probably one of the highest-attended concerts Groton Parks and Rec has seen in the past couple of years of their SoundWaves series. Sugar, performing their wide range of music, from dance and disco to classic R&B and soul, has been the local crowd’s favorite for years.
“I think with the popularity of Sugar and then it being the day before the Fourth of July, everybody was out,” Morse said.
He admitted that parking was messy when Sugar performed but then stated that overall, trash and parking have been under control. Free parking is available at St. Mary’s Church and free bus shuttles run continuously between 5 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. from the church, located near Fitch High School. Parking at Esker Point Beach is also available, costing $10 per vehicle and $5 per motorcycle.
Morse added that Esker Point Beach is now accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
“We have a mobi-mat which allows wheelchairs to get down to the beach,” he said. A mobi-mat is a plastic mat that stretches out all the way to the water.
Changes in Latitudes’ nine-piece band performed July 10, achieving their only goal, which they claim on their Web site www.changesinlatitudes.com, of taking listeners to Margaritaville with their island sounds that they attribute to singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, “the master of the tropical lifestyle.”
There are only three concerts left. Tonight, the Ryan Montbleau Band takes the stage. Their Web site claims the band plays fresh sounds full of firmly rooted ingredients, including Americana, folk, blues, ragtime and ’70s R&B and soul. Averaging 200 gigs a year, the band is led by guitarist Ryan Montbleau, described on the Web site as possessing water-tight lyrics and an unmistakable voice.
“They’re actually one of my favorite bands to go see,” Morse said, laughing. “I’ve seen them in the Hartford area and Northampton. I just happened to check to see if they were available for our dates and they can do the 17th…they’re almost like a jam-band but a little bit tighter. They’re a great band to watch and dance to.”
Eight to the Bar is a veteran when it comes to performing at SoundWaves and will be ready to shower the crowd with swing, R&B, soul and Motown favorites on July 24. Their Web site, www.eighttothebar.com, said the band is known for its outstanding instrumentalists and sophisticated musical and vocal arrangements highlighted by female vocals.
Ending this year’s SoundWaves extravaganza is Mystic’s own Barefoot Truth, featuring classic folk instruments and organic folk-rock sound. The four-piece band will be rocking the crowd to their upright bass, lap steel guitar, congas, didgeridoo and signature sound of the harmonica. A link for their video to single “Reelin’” can be found on www.barefoottruth.com.
“They came in, put in a proposal, I listened to them, I liked them…We try to get a mix of music and have a little bit of variety,” Morse said.
This year’s sponsors, Morse said, were Edward Jones, Comcast, Kane Family, Shoreline Diving, ShopRite, the Harp and Dragon, the Mystic Irish Parade Foundation, Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods, and Custom Marine Canvas.
“Every year, that’s the reason why concerts go,” he said, referring to the sponsors. “It’s not town-funded. The sponsors really make it happen. They’ve really been good to us and anyone interested sponsoring a concert can get in touch with me.”
For concert status updates, call Groton Parks and Recreation’s InfoLine at 441-6791 after 3 p.m. on concert days.