From coast to coast, cities and towns throughout the country offer their own versions of summer concerts. The ambience and experiences are as varied as the locales, from all-volunteer community bands performing in ancient gazebos to internationally known, professional orchestras on stage in multi-million dollar amphitheatres.Since 1989, St. Simons Island has offered its own, distinct version of the outdoor summer concert. The “Jazz in the Park” and “A Little Light Music” concert series take place each summer on the lawn of the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, drawing eclectic crowds of locals and visitors who come to soak up the sounds in a setting unlike any other.
“There are outdoor concerts all over the country, but ours are definitely the best,” says Heather Heath, executive director of Golden Isles Arts and Humanities (GIAHA). “We’ve got the ocean on one side with dolphins jumping and boats sailing by, and the beautiful lighthouse and heritage center on the other. It’s the perfect spot for a summer evening of music.”
GIAHA sponsors the “Jazz in the Park” concerts series, which was one of the organization’s first fund-raising activities. Now in its 19th season, Jazz in the Park features regional and nationally known jazz artists who perform everything from “traditional” jazz standards to cutting-edge music with an international beat.
Heath says the GIAHA series has always been jazz-based. “People love jazz,” she explains. “We have a large number of patrons who buy their season tickets in September, well in advance of the coming season.”
A second summer concert series, “A Little Light Music,” is sponsored by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. Begun in 1998, the series features local and regional performers. “We choose groups that remind us of our youth,” says Jerri Hager, the society’s director of development. Music runs the gamut from pop to bluegrass to Motown classics.
Performances typically draw from 400-600 people, with many, many more during holiday weekends. According to Heather Heath, more than 1,200 people attended this year’s Memorial Day weekend performance by local favorites Phil Morrison and Keith Williams.
Concert veterans will tell you the Sunday night concerts are more than a picnic on the lawn. Much more. “These are social events,” Heath says, “ and many people use the opportunity to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or other occasions. It’s like a real community.”
Setups are as varied as the participants, ranging from a simple blanket and a cooler to tables and chairs with complete place settings, table linens and decorations to suit the occasion. The Golden Isles Track Club, for instance, has an elaborate setup complete with a small bar, tiki torches and a club banner.
At the July 4 weekend performance, concert-goers compete to win prizes for having the most creative and unusual setups.
Concert fare is a veritable smorgasbord limited only by the participants’ imaginations and ability to transport and safely serve their food items. Some are happy to stop by their local quik-mart for a bag of chips and sodas or beer. Others bring complete, full-course meals assembled potluck or by local eateries.
“This is truly the place to be on Sunday nights,” Heath says. “We’re even listed in a book entitled, ‘101 Things to do in Georgia before you die.’”
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Sunday evening concerts at the St. Simons Lighthouse continue through September. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm and end at 9:00 pm.
A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
August 3 – Harry O’Donohue’s Celtic Melodies
August 31 – Sensational Sounds of Motown
Tickets for the “Light Music” concerts are $10 per person. Children under 12 are admitted free. Information: Contact Coastal Georgia Historical Society at 638-4666 or visit www.saintsimonslighthouse.org
JAZZ IN THE PARK
August 17 – Anton Harris Quartet
September 14 – Barry Green
Tickets for the “Jazz in the Park” concerts are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12. Children under 6 are admitted free. Information: Contact Golden Isles Arts & Humanities at 262-6934 or visit www.goldenislesarts.org
