Kick back and enjoy outdoor concerts in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia

Brunswick and The Golden Isles are blessed with an abundance of cultural arts activities, ranging from changing exhibits at local art galleries to live theatre to musical performances of every sort. Among the most popular activities for visitors and locals alike are the outdoor concerts that take place during the warm weather months.

These include the "Rhythm on the River" series of concerts that take place at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick, and the "Jazz in the Park" and "A Little Light Music" concerts that take place at the lighthouse on St. Simons Island.

Rhythm on the River concerts are sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and take place Saturday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Local artists perform an array of styles from classic rock to bluegrass, jazz to pop. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets and their favorite liquid refreshments. Local distributors provide samples of beer and soft drinks, and there are drawings for prizes from downtown merchants. After the shows, head over to Newcastle Street for dinner in one of the many downtown restaurants and enjoy a pleasant evening in this historic port city.

Jazz in the Park is sponsored by Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association. A Little Light Music is sponsored by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. Both concert series take place Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, on the lawn of the St. Simons Lighthouse on St. Simons Island.

Now in its 21st 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. A Little Light Music, now in its 12th season, features local and regional artists performing classic rock, pop, beach music and rhythm and blues.

Performances typically draw from 400-600 people, with many, many more during holiday weekends. Concert veterans will tell you the Sunday night concerts are more than a picnic on the lawn. Much more. “These are social events,” says Heather Heath, executive director of Golden Isles ARts and Humanities. "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.’”

CONCERT SCHEDULE

APRIL

17 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: Michael Dyche and The Not Brothers perform the songs you know from the 50s, 60s and 70s. 6:00 pm, Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick. Admission.

18 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Sons of the Beach, a powerhouse entertainment duo that recreate all the songs you want to hear. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

MAY

16 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Island Garage Band, performing classic rock, covered, smothered and scattered. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

22 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: The O'Reallys. Guitar and vocal duo performing classic country, bluegrass and originals. 6:00 pm, Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick. Admission.

29 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: World Unity Jazz Ensemble, featuring Phil Morrison. A fresh blend of East and West that brings a taste of other lands to America’s unique musical form. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission. (NOTE: This is a SATURDAY performance; all other Jazz in the Park concerts will be on Sunday nights.)

JUNE

6 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Harry O'Donohue, master Irish folksinger, storyteller and songwriter. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

13 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: String-Sessions. Feel-good jazz integrating blues, bossa, and familiar standards from Jobim to Miles to Hancock. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

27 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Savannah Stompers Jazz Band. Classic Dixieland, St. Louis and Chicago styles, and 1940s West Coast Revival. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

JULY

11 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Three of Us. Rich harmonies of rock and roll. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

25 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Silver Lining. A blend of traditional and contemporary jazz with influences from rock, Americana, swing. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

AUGUST

8 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Michael Dyche and The Not Brothers perform the songs you know from the 50s, 60s and 70s. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

22 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Gwen Hughes and the Retro Jazz Cats. Genre-busting vocals bring a touch of city cabaret to the open air concert venue. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

SEPTEMBER

5 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Sensational Sounds of Motown. Detroit's finest sounds. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

18 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: Touch of Grey. Classic rock, pop, rhythm and blues. 6:00 pm, Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick. Admission.

19 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Julie and The Bohemian Gypsies. The romance and gypsy-swing vibe of a hip 1930s Parisian night club. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

OCTOBER

16 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: Performer TBA. 6:00 pm, Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick. Admission.

NOVEMBER

13 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: OSKAR Rockhammer and The Electric Chairs. Classic rock. 6:00 pm, Mary Ross Waterfront Park, Brunswick. Admission.

Season tickets are available for the Jazz in the Park and A Little Light Music concert series. For information about Jazz in the Park tickets, call Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association at 912-262-6934 or visit them online. For A Little Light Music tickets, call the Coastal Georgia Historical Society at 912- 638-4666 or visit them online.