The Concordia Neighborhood Association, in conjunction with Portland Parks and Recreation, is very excited to bring you another year of FREE concerts this summer. The community sponsorship and neighborhood attendance has been greater than we could have ever imagined.
Concerts are on Fridays, starting July 11th through August 1st from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., and conclude with a special Neighbors Night Out on Tuesday, August 5th. Concerts are free to attend and you are welcome to bring your food and drink, but note there will also be food vendors, Aladdin’s Café and Hot Dog Ernie’s, at the events. We will pass the “watering can” during intermission for you to donate any amount to ensure we can continue this event in the future.
Follow the link below for a complete schedule of dates and performers:
The amazing musical lineups that we have this year are:
July 11th Friday – The LaRhonda Steele Band (soulful R & B) – The LaRhonda Steele Band are a local favorite and have played in Portland’s biggest festivals and are looking forward to playing for their first time at our Fernhill Park. LaRhonda Steele is the fabulous former vocalist for Ocean 503 and for ‘Boogie Cat’ Norman Sylvester. Her strong vocals and stage presence will be perfect for a Friday night at the park. You won’t want to miss their rendition of blues and jazz.
July 18th Friday – Vagabond Opera (bohemian cabaret) – A European style cabaret band, this six-piece ensemble is part music, part performer, and part theater. In Vagabond Opera’s own words, “The ensemble delivers an eclectic mix of original and traditional compositions, unified by an old-world mood. Gut-bucket swing, tangos, Paris hot jazz, Ukrainian folk-punk ballads, Arabic bell dance, Klezmer, operatic aria, and vigorous originals mingle with Absurdist Bohemian cabaret style, all played with skill, exuberance, and a gritty vagabond edge.
July 25th Friday – Casey Neill and the Norway Rats (American Rock) – Casey Neill and the Norway Rats take time away from their studio recording to play an exciting night for us. A combination of folk-punk, Americana rock, and Celtic styles, there’s a little bit of something for everybody. Casey Neill, who has roots in the Pacific Northwest, is backed by an amazing band or should I say Rats.
August 1st Friday – Grupo Antifaz (regional Mexican) – Bienvenidos from Hood River, Oregon, Grupo Antifaz is going to bring an authentic Mexican performance to this year’s concert series. They have played to large crowds at Tom McCall Waterfront Park for Cinco de Mayo and have toured throughout Oregon and released several CDs.
August 5th Tuesday – Trashcan Joe (old-timey strings) – Original old-timey jazz, ragtime, and blues on home-made instruments. If you have ever seen these guys play live you know how much fun it is. Just realizing that their homemade instruments are behind their unique sound makes them different from anything else you have ever listened to. This is for Portland’s biggest National Night Out celebration.