Published in the June 24 – July 9, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Mark Fenichel
Photo Mark Fenichel/Feniphoto
A crowd enjoys the first Friday Night Music Series concert of the summer as Entourage entertained more than 1,000 people. This Friday (June 26) The Jesse Charles Band will take the stage and entertain the crowd.
Mark Fenichel
Fourth of July is upon us with barbecues, family, friends, parties, the beach and the Friday Family Street Dance on July 3 in downtown Morgan Hill. The free event takes place between Main and Dunne avenues and is the downtown event that leads into the run, car show, parade and Fireworks on the Green at the Outdoor Sports Center July 4 evening. The dance kicks off at 6 p.m. with the Patriotic Sing at the Downtown Amphitheater at the Morgan Hill Community Center. This is a live patriotic musical performed by local students. Then the Family Street Dance begins on the stage located at Third Street and Monterey Road.
This year the live music begins at 7 p.m. with a salute to our veterans from VFW Post 6309 highlighted by the national anthem performed by the talented 12-year-old singer Angeline Madriaga, who will be an eighth grader at St. Catherine’s School this fall.
At about 7:20 p.m. the program continues with guitar playing, bluesy singer/songwriter Janet Thompson from San Martin. Her husband Mike will be holding down the bass guitar duties and I am pleased that Janet has asked me to join her on harmonica for her very bluesy set of originals mixed with old time blues standards.
Following Janet will be local favorites The Usual Suspects featuring their high energy lead guitarist Jeff Rippen and Freedom Fest vice president keyboardist Rich Gamboa pumping out their blend of classic rock favorites. The Usual Suspects have been a mainstay at the Freedom Fest celebrations alternating between the Family Street Dance and the Fireworks Show for 18 years. They will play until about 10:30 p.m.
This year’s music prior to the fireworks show on Saturday July 4 will begin at 5 p.m. and will be held for the third year at the Morgan Hill Sports Center on Condit Road between Dunne and Tennant avenues. The show begins with local R&B/jazz vocalist David Johnson. Then the Country Cougars will play a mix of country music from wide variety of new and classic country artists. The fireworks will follow at dark.
The Freedom Fest is run entirely by volunteers and relies on sponsors and donations to put together the week-long celebration of our nation’s birthday.
The Friday Night Music Series has kicked into high gear with the Bay Area’s top bands headlining each week. This Friday’s band is The Jesse Charles Band and the opening acoustic act will be singer/songwriter Jim Boyers. There will see a one-week break for the Friday Family Street Dance then resume July 10 and continue every Friday through Aug. 28.
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On another note, I am looking forward to my appearance with Nancy Wenstrom on the patio of Mama Mia’s Ristorante from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday July 2.
Mama Mia’s patio is a great, relaxing place to enjoy wonderful food, local wines and live music in a very kicked-back atmosphere. The patio is also a great place to bring your private party or birthday celebration.
If you have a live music tip that you would like to see in this column send me an email [email protected].
