Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Fairfield arts center plans summer concert series
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center has planned another series of free outdoor concerts this summer.
The center will host four concerts at 7:30 p.m. every other Thursday starting this Thursday, June 29, with the group Jonas Magram Jazz Quintet, followed by Pieta Brown on July 13, David Huckfelt on July 27 and concluding with The Feel Right Band on Aug. 10.
Concerts will be held on a stage on North Main Street, and residents are invited to bring lawn chairs. The center will have a beer garden available to serve beer, wine, soda pop and popcorn. All concerts will last at least 80 minutes.
Fairfield Arts & Convention Center Executive Director Lindsay Bauer said this is the third year that the center is hosting outdoor summer concerts. When the series started in 2021, few venues were hosting concerts because of the pandemic, and the center was one of the few places able to host them outdoors, where people felt safe gathering. The concerts have been well attended, with crowds ranging from 200 to 400 people.
“We wanted to jump in and have this interim period of outdoor concerts for people who weren’t comfortable gathering inside, and to ensure that there was some live music happening,” Bauer said.
The initial round of concerts was so well received that the center planned a second round for 2022. Now in 2023, Bauer decided to scale back the concert series from six performances to four because she saw that many other venues had begun to host concerts of their own.
“We have live music in Fairfield all the time now,” she said. “Places like the Depot House, SOMM Wines, Café Paradiso and Class 96 Live on the Square are all hosting concerts, and none of that was happening when we started this series. I see no reason to draw audiences away from those things, and instead add to and augment what other people are doing.”
Bauer said that reducing the number of concerts in the summer series also allows the arts center to focus more on its new Cinema Fairfield program, showing first-run movies in its theater. The program began last year, and now is showing a movie almost every night, plus its 12:30 p.m. matinees Thursday through Saturday.
What to expect
June 29 — Jonas Magram Jazz Quintet
The Jonas Magram Jazz Quintet, or JMJQ, will be performing many tunes from the Great American Songbook together with some more recent favorites, and Latin originals.
The quintet features vocalist Jonas Magram, who also plays tenor saxophone, pianist Dick Watson, double-bassist Gary Palmer, saxophonist and percussionist Steve Jeffries, drummer David Johnson, and special guest percussionist, Phil Marks.
“JMJQ brings to life the very best of America’s Golden Age of Music including Latin, Swing, and Blues favorites like Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Wonderful World, Autumn Leaves, ‘S Wonderful, Almost Like Being In Love, All of Me, and Route 66,” stated a news release from the group. “Their set will include some more modern hits as well, including Tequila and Watermelon Man.”
July 13 — Pieta Brown
In partnership with Classic 96 Live on the Square, the arts center welcomes Iowa darling Pieta Brown. Pieta’s unique blend of folk, blues, and country music has garnered her a national following and devoted fans everywhere she goes.
“Her music is emotional, honest and heartfelt, and she never fails to captivate crowds with her soothing voice and enchanting guitar skills,” stated a news release from the arts center.
Bauer described Brown as possessing a beautiful mix of a “back-street country and rich bluegrass sound.”
“I expect this concert to draw people from well beyond Fairfield, so grab a lawn chair and get there early,” Bauer said.
July 27 — David Huckfelt
David Huckfelt is an Iowa native who now resides in Minnesota. He will take the stage with a mix of indie bluegrass and Americana music. Huckfelt is famous for his work with The Pines, and now brings his solo artistry back to his home state.
Aug. 10 — The Feel Right Band
The summer concert series concludes with The Feel Right Band, who will be performing songs from Pop, R&B, Soul, and Jazz.
“Led by Sharane Calister, who was a top 12 contestant on NBC’s ‘The Voice’ in 2018, this band will have you grooving to their beats all night long,” the arts center said.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
