Parks, Recreation and Marine

Concerts in the Park

Music will be in the air all summer in Long Beach.
Mark your calendars for these outdoor concert events.

Long Beach Municipal Band Presents “The Sizzling Sounds of Summer”

Event Dates:  June 26 – August 3 - All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Long Beach Municipal Band will enter its 109th season with free outdoor summer concerts in Long Beach parks on June 26. Each week of the season will focus on a different theme and will be performed by the band's professional musicians. The Long Beach Municipal Band is conducted by Larry Curtis, now in his 26th year as conductor. Each performance with end with selections from talented vocalists accompanied by the Long Beach Municipal Band's Studio Band.

“I think the Long Beach Municipal Band is one of the best things about Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “At 109 years, it is the longest running municipal band in the country and provides a chance for neighbors and families to gather for relaxing evenings of picnicking, entertainment and great music.”

"The old-fashioned concert in the park is one of the finest family entertainment experiences available," said Conductor Larry Curtis.   "Many who attend the concerts bring picnic dinners and blankets or lawn chairs. It’s a very festive atmosphere."

Week 1: June 26-29

• Tuesday, June 26             Whaley Park, 5620 Atherton.
• Wednesday, June 27        Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Avenue
• Thursdays, June 28          Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
• Friday, June 29                 El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road & Willow Street

Theme:  Barnum and Bailey Salute

Not so much a tribute to the circus, but more to the band that provided the musical excitement. Their day started with a town parade, leading citizens to the nearby circus tents. Next followed impromptu concerts as the crowd assembled. Later when the circus began, the band performed literally non-stop. It was the most demanding band music of the era. We salute these extraordinarily talented musicians by performing music from the Barnum and Bailey library. Jazz legend Barbara Morrison returns to sing with The Studio Band.

Week 2: July 3, 5, 6

• Tuesday, July 3                Whaley Park, 5620 Atherton.
• Thursdays, July 5             Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
• Friday, July 6                    El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road & Willow Street

Theme:  A Star-Spangled Salute

Happy Independence Week! The state legislature has proclaimed this to be “Long Beach Municipal Band Week.” The Studio Band will celebrate with a tribute to “The Andrew Sisters,” performed by the sensational Swing Dolls!

Week 3, July 10-13

• Tuesday, July 10               Bixby/Bluff Park, Ocean Blvd. between Junipero & Cherry Avenues
• Wednesday, July 11         Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Ave.
• Thursday, July 12             Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
• Friday, July 13                  El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road & Willow Street

Theme:  A Musical Journey

It’s always fun to experience other cultures. This week the band does the traveling while you relax in the park with music from around the world. You’ll return home with a mind filled with musical memories. Meloney Collins lends her considerable musical talents to our journey.

Week 4, July 17-20

• Tuesday, July 17               Bixby/Bluff Park, Ocean Blvd. between Junipero & Cherry Avenues
• Wednesday, July 18         Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Ave.
• Thursday, July 19             Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
• Friday, July 20                  El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road & Willow Street

Theme: Southern Harmonies

So many American originals were created in The South, but none were more influential than the music inspired by the confluence of French, African, and Spanish traditions that resulted in the birth of Creole and Cajun cultures. American Jazz owes its existence to these exciting, improvised harmonies and rhythms. Listen and enjoy! The great vocal artist Julie Ragins closes this evening of American originals.

Week 5, July 24-27

• Tuesday, July 24               Bixby/Bluff Park, Ocean Blvd. between Junipero & Cherry Avenues
• Wednesday, July 25         Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Ave.
• Thursday, July 26             Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
• Friday, July 27                  El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road & Willow Street

Theme: Off Broadway

Across this great nation one can attend Broadway musicals, including the King and I, Chicago, The Lion King, or Phantom of the Opera, but why do all that traveling when you can experience these wonderful songs in one night, here in Long Beach? Audiences will also enjoy the fabulous entertainer, Tony Galla with The Studio Band.

Week 6, July 31- August 3

• Tuesday, July 31              Ramona Park, 3301 E. 65^th Street
• Wednesday, August 1      Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Ave.
• Thursday, August 2          Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
• Friday, August 3                El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road & Willow Street

Theme: Latin Heat!!

Our season finale presents a truly sizzling evening of Latin music. The last concerts of summer are always special experiences for band and audience alike. This one will resound in our collective memories for months to come. Nicole Kubis joins The Studio Band to complete this exciting evening. Don’t miss this very special performance.

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History

The Long Beach Municipal Band is one of the most distinguished and professional Municipal Bands in the United States. The player personnel in this wonderful ensemble includes the best of the Southern California's symphony, studio recording and jazz performers. This diversity of talent provides Long Beach audiences with impressive concerts of jazz, movie, musical and light classical literature. The Band also combines with talented guest vocalists weekly to guarantee that your family's summer evening in the park will be the highlight of the week.

The Long Beach Municipal Band has been entertaining area residents for over 100 years. Its history is well known and appreciated not only in this community but also in music circles around the world. Present conductor Larry Curtis continues a tradition of musical excellence established by such notable conductors as the famous Sousa cornet player Herbert L. Clarke and composer J. J. Richards.

Conductor Larry Curtis

Larry Curtis, after a distinguished career in university music performance, has achieved acclaim as a professional conductor. He will return for his sixteenth season this summer as director of the Long Beach Municipal Band, the nation's most distinguished professional community wind ensemble. Curtis' diverse musical background is exemplified by his more recent conducting engagements with the Sydney Wind Orchestra of Australia, the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and the Americus Brass Band, an ensemble which performs on authentic instruments of the 19th century.

Notable performances include an "Imagination Celebration" concert in conjunction with New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, a live concert broadcast from Suisse Romane Studios in Geneva, Switzerland, a command performance for the "Society for the Preservation of Film Music," as well as conducting at the Hollywood Bowl. He has established an international reputation with his conducting achievements in Japan, Scotland, Canada, England, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Australia.