POINT LOMA – Arts District Liberty Station is easing into summer with free concerts on second Saturdays now through September, as the North Promenade comes alive with live bands and captivating performances.
Now known as Summer Arts Fest, the concert series is produced by Concert For Your Cause and emceed by instructional program Apt 4 Music.
“This event is truly special because it highlights the incredible talent within our local music scene and gives artists a platform to connect with the community,” said Lisa Johnson, Arts District president and chief executive officer.
“Summer Arts Fest isn’t just about great music, but also about celebrating creativity and keeping San Diego’s vibrant artistic spirit thriving. Whether you’re a blues, pop, R&B, or jazz music fan, we invite everyone to come out and soak up the good tunes.”
Friends and families can enjoy a lineup of live music and entertainment from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring the powerhouse vocals of Whitney Shay, the soulful grooves of Kogee Soul Reprise, and the high-energy sounds of Bambú Sound Exchange, among others.
Elyse Gwannulla, associate director of tenant and public programs for the Arts District, said the summer festival’s name change and rebranding this year “allowed us to align the (event’s) identity with our broader vision, while also giving us the flexibility to grow into new areas in the future.
“It is creating space for a more inclusive, multidimensional experience, one that resonates more deeply with diverse audiences and partners.”
There are other activities beyond music for festival goers to indulge in. “Guests can explore a curated display of classic cars, connect with the owners, and capture great photo moments,” noted Gwannulla.
“They’ll also have the chance to sing along to familiar cover songs and engage directly with bands and performers, whether by purchasing merchandise or having a casual conversation at their vendor tables.”
One such alternative activity will be Sept. 13, with Mockingbird Improv leading a live, inspired performance with the format of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The improv actors will draw on audience suggestions in real time to create a fast-paced, high-energy comedy show.
Musical performers at Summer Arts Fest on July 12 will include Shay from 5:45 to 7 p.m., preceded by The Bella Lunas trio performing from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.
Shay described her musical genre as “high-energy rhythm, blues, and soul,” noting it is in the mold of performers like Etta James, Otis Redding, and Sharon Jones.
“It’s music that makes people dance,” she said. “One of my main goals is to bring people joy with music. We want to give people relief from the woes of the world. My music is uplifting, focusing on female empowerment. It’s not sad music. It’s about expressing your feelings. It’s cathartic.”
Shay’s been performing since age 3 in theatre productions. She’s been in a band for the last 15 years. She concluded that the Summer Arts Festival “is a fun way to engage the community in live music and entertainment and get people outside interacting with each other. That’s a beautiful thing.”
Named after the Italian phrase “beautiful moon,” The Bella Lunas are a unique and inspiring female trio consisting of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rhea Makiaris, Lily Molina, a deaf musician, and Sheena, who identifies as a queer woman, singer/songwriter, and a Child of Deaf Adults.
Lily, through an interpreter, said she grew up in a musical family whose mother was a singer. Exposed to gospel music at age 12, Molina said she “studied the lyrics” to music, which led her to “start discovering the message of music. That began my journey studying lyrics and how they overlapped with American Sign Language.”
Makiaris noted their trio performs “music that can be seen, felt, and experienced. We want people to be moved.” She added, “Lily is the star of the show. We’re proud that Lily is the center of our group.”
Rhea said The Bella Lunas’ 45-minute set involves “a lot of harmonies, some original and some cover songs. We love music that is positive and uplifting, that spreads goodness, love, and light. There’s a touch of hippie flavor to it. It’s more Bohemian style. We’re excited to share our music and sign language with the world, and that it’s going to be accessible to the deaf community.”
Performers
Whitney Shay | July 12 Kogee Soul Reprise | Aug. 9 Bambú Sound Exchange | Sept. 13For more information and updates on additional entertainment, follow Arts District Liberty Station on social media or click here.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Liberty Station gets summer moving with Summer Arts Fest )
Also on site :
- Kremlin reveals how Putin will take part in BRICS summit
- Faith leaders challenge Texas law requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms
- Four Palestinians killed in occupied West Bank by settlers, Israeli troops