.jpg)
Music and summer seem to go hand-in-hand as many of us associate specific songs of our youth with certain memorable summers. Hearing those songs now evokes feelings of nostalgia for care-free days of summer and maybe even our first love. Viewed from the distance of time, life seemed simpler then, more pleasurable.
The atmosphere was ideal Monday evening in the courtyard of Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington to conjure up such nostalgic memories. Folks gathered there to hear the melodic sounds of harmonizing vocals and accompanying instruments presented by a quartet of talented local women. Tasha Walsh, Amanda Baxter, Martha Burford and Diana Schofield, collectively and whimsically known as Betty and the Hot Flashes, performed classics new and old for an appreciative audience.
Even if summer doesn’t officially start for another couple of weeks, the summer season of outdoor music concerts is well underway. Concerts have already been held at the Lime Kiln Theater, the Gorge in Glasgow, Boxerwood Gardens and at Glen Maury Park’s multi-purpose pavilion in Buena Vista. We are looking forward to many more such seasonal concerts at local outdoor venues in the weeks and months ahead.
A couple of outdoor concerts are taking place in the Rockbridge area this Friday, June 9. Local favorite Southpaw will be performing in a Fridays in the Park concert at Glen Maury Park from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The trio of Shester, Blake and Newhall (Burr Datz, Blake Shester and Dan Newhall) will be presenting a Music in the Garden concert at Boxerwood from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The Lime Kiln Theater is presenting another season of first-rate musical entertainment. The popularity of the shows is such that many are sellouts so it would be advisable to check for the availability of tickets. The next concert is Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, with Jack Schneider opening the show, on June 16. Other upcoming Lime Kiln shows include Sam Bush on June 30, Garrison Keillor with Robin and Linda Williams on July 8 and Seldom Scene on July 21.
Despite ongoing electrical upgrade work in the lower campground at Glen Maury Park, music on the multi-purpose stage is continuing to be presented. Among the upcoming musical events are the Maury River Fiddlers Convention June 16 and 17, an Independence Day Concert on July 4, a Fridays in the Park concert by Evolution on July 14, beach music on July 28, the beach music festival on July 29 and a Fridays in the Park concert by Spencer Hatcher on Aug. 4.
The 20th season of Friday’s Alive concerts at Davidson Park in Lexington gets underway July 7 with the Party Crasher Band. Other Friday’s Alive concerts include Mad Maxx & The Groove Train Band on July 21, The Pickup Band on July 28 and Little Marvin & the Martians on Aug. 18.
Rockin’ the Gorge concerts at Locher Pavilion in Glasgow resume July 1 with The Pickup Band. Other concerts at the Gorge this summer include Jason Hostetter and Friends on July 22 and Southpaw on Aug. 12.
There is just something special about experiencing live music at outdoors venues in the summertime. We have stored up lots of fond memories from these occasions and expect to store up more this summer.
