Music will once again fill downtown Oxford this summer as the wildly popular ‘Concerts in Centennial Park? series makes its debut at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, May 27).
The classic rock bank Cole’s Law will kick off the summer concert series, which has been aggressively expanded this year to 16 concerts over a 14-week period.
The Village of Oxford, Oxford Community Development Authority and Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce are presenting this year’s series.
When the weather is nice, the concerts will take place in downtown Oxford’s crown jewel, Centennial Park. When the weather turns foul, they will happen inside the old fire hall behind the township/village municipal complex.
With the exception of two events, all the concerts will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 26.
Three consecutive concerts will take place the first week of August as a lead in to Celebrate Oxford on Saturday, Aug. 7.
From Irish Folk and Country to Chicago Blues and ‘Boogie and Swing,? Concert Committe member Michelle Bishop, executive director of the OCDA, said this year’s series offers a ‘good variety.?
Bishop said she’s looking forward to the June 17 appearance of the Gratitude Steel Band, a steel drum band playing Caribbean and Calypso music.
The Aug. 5 concert is the only one which will not feature a band because on that night your friends and neighbors will be the entertainment. Billed as ‘Community Talent Night,? residents are encouraged to ‘come out and show your stuff to Oxford.?
In addition to being entertained, concert-goers will have the opportunity to help local charities. According to Concert Committee member and village Councilman Steve Allen, a basket will be passed around the crowd each week and the donations collected will go toward a different local charity.
The Concerts in Centennial Park schedule is as follows:
May 27 ? Cole’s Law (Classic Rock)
June 3 ? Bakon Brothers (Irish/Folk/Variety)
June 10 ? AFAB (Boogie and Swing)
June 17 ? Gratitude Steel Band (Caribbean/Calypso)
June 24 ? Twistin? Tarantulas (Swing/Rockabilly)
July 1 ? Salvation Army Brass Band (Patriotic and March Music)
July 8 ? Immunity (Reggae)
July 15 ? Wrenfields (Country Rock/Folk/Bluegrass)
July 22 ? Tangerine Trousers (Country/Folk/Bluegrass)
July 29 ? Robert Penn (Chicago Blues)
Wednesday, August 4 ? Opus (Contemporary)
August 5 ? Community Talent Night (Come out and show your stuff to Oxford)
Friday, August 6 ? Elmo Thumm (Acapella Vocal Band)
August 19 ? Blue Hawaiian’s (Rock/Soul/Blues)
August 26 ? Rich Eddy’s Rockin? Oldies Band (50s and 60s)