Featuring a spirited blend of popular acts that have not been to Culver City for awhile and newcomers, the Culver City Summer Music Festival series returns in seven weeks, starting Thursday, July 8, for a two-month run in the courtyard of City Hall.
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Only the John Jorgenson Quintet — gypsy jazz guitar and band — returns from last year, and they will appear in the closing concert at the end of August, on the eve of Fiesta La Ballona’s jackpot weekend.
With quiet-spoken impresario Gary Mandell, owner of newly expanded Boulevard Music, leading the parade out front for the 10th consecutive year, Thursday nights at 7 have become a Downtown summertime landmark, the best-received outdoors attraction in the city’s history.
Unlike its early years, every Thursday, capacity crowds spill onto the sidewalk in front of City Hall. They arrive in impressive numbers two hours before the downbeat, to picnic, to socialize and to observe the setups.
While some financially strapped communities have dropped their summer concert series despite regularly attracting huge crowds, Culver City remains almost steadfast — one less concert than last summer. The explanation: School is starting in August, which some said would cause a falloff in attendance.
Blues performers Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, the nostalgia-themed Lindy Sisters, salsa singer Yari Moré and his orchestra are this summer’s first-time headliners.
The lineup:
Thursday, July 8
Dean Mora Orchestra and the Lindy Sisters — Classic big band sounds with vocals from the 1930s and ‘40s.
Thursday, July 15
Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps — billed as New Orleans meets Texas blues.
Thursday, July 22
Los Pinguos (Buenao Aires natives performing Latin rhythms, salsa, flamenco, reggae, rumba and Argentine rock) plus the Gonzalo Bergara Quartet (hot guitar and jazz ensemble).
Thursday, July 29
Yari Moré, featuring the Colombian-born salsa singer and his orchestra.
Thursday, Aug. 5
Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, performing Cajun, zydeco, rhythm and blues, country and blues.
Thursday, Aug. 12
Hot Club of Cowtown, a Western swing trio.
Thursday, Aug. 19
Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, the renowned Scottish fiddler and Ms. Haas is an ace cellist.
Thursday, Aug. 26
John Jorgenson Quintet, hot gypsy jazz guitar with an all-star band.
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