CITY OF SANTEE SUMMER CONCERT SEASON IS READY TO ROCK

June 8, 2014 (Santee)--The city of Santee’s Summer Concert Series resumes June 19 with an expanded lineup featuring performances by 11 well-established regional bands.The free concerts are held Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. — except for the week of the July 4 holiday—at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive.

“Music-wise, we’re covering all the bases: rock, country, blues, tribute bands for the Beatles and Elvis, and more,” said Special Events Coordinator Bree Stanley. “This year, due to popular demand, we’ve added a tenth concert.”

Attendance at the city’s summer concerts, which started more than 30 years ago, ballooned after the city moved the series to an outdoor performance stage at the 55- acre park in 2010.The city tries to keep the series fresh but still familiar. Six of the 10 summer concertsfeature musical groups that were not in last year’s lineup.

“Our lineup is sort of like Baskin Robbins. There’s a flavor to satisfy nearlyevery musical taste,” Stanley said. “But we hope folks will attend every concert and stretch their boundaries a bit.”

Also new this year, each concert will have a theme that is integrated into the entire experience.

In the same way that foodies match wine with cuisine, Santee’s summer concerts will have complementary pairings of food, exhibits and music. For instance, the June 19 concert by the classic rock ‘n roll band, The Cat.illacs, will include a display of classic cars from the East County Cruisers. The July 31 show by the Beatles’ tribute band, Help!, will include a food truck named “God Save the Cuisine” that serves British meals.

None of those will be outdone by the city’s debut of “Wingstock,” a concert of tunes made popular in thesummer of 1969 when a farm in Upstate New York hosted the legendary Woodstock festival. Scheduled for August 14, “Wingstock” will showcase the talents of Back to the Garden, with special guest Eve Selis.

The featured eatery will be finger-food specialist Wings.n.things. Santee’s blockbuster “Blues & BBQ” concert, which attracts a crowd in the thousands, returns July 17 with a twin bill featuring the sultry Mercedes Moore Band and the ever-popular Bayou Brothers along with special guest Bill Magee. The Bayou Brothers won Best Blues Band at the 2013 San Diego Music Awards. Phil’s BBQ is the designated food vendor.

The concert series is made possible by contributions from Barona Resort & Casino, Wings.n.things, Pardee Homes, Waste Management Inc., Cox Communications and Daphne’s Greek.

The concert schedule posted online at the city’s website: http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/