By Carolyn Irvine
Blue skies have come to Provo again.
Along with the warm sunny weather come longer nights when people are looking for fun things to do.
To help fulfill this need for exciting evening activities, the Provo Arts Council has organized the annual Blue Sky Series.
Every Monday at 7 p.m. performers will take the stage in Provo’s North Park for an hour of entertainment. In addition, the Veteran’s Pool will grant a special $1 admission from 8 to 9 p.m.
Provo Arts Council member Cindy Nelson said the series was started due to the lack of summer concerts in Provo. She said the concerts will be every Monday night except July 3 and 24.
Some of the acts this year are the vocal group Inside Out, Mariachi America and juggler Peter Davidson.
The name first chosen was the Blue Sky Concert Series. However, the word ‘concerts’ has been deleted now that the series includes non-musical acts.
Nelson said Provo Arts Council Executive Director Katherine Allen chose the performers. Nelson said many of the acts are also part of the Utah Performing Arts Tour.
“We like to get a variety of people and have everything represented,” Nelson said.
Allen said the variety of acts will give people a chance to experience many different cultures and types of performers. She said she hopes the acts will entice people to want to see more.
“I want the music to make the crowd leave with a smile on their face and say it was so fun they can’t wait until next week,” Allen said.
Allen said the concerts are also just a nice time for families to gather together, relax and see some good entertainment.
“We want people to bring their chairs, blankets, dinners and have a good time,” Allen said.
The Provo Arts Council expects a big turnout for the concerts, Nelson said. She said this is the second season of the series. After its successful beginning last year, the Council decided to continue and expand the series.
As part of the series, the Sons of the Utah Pioneers will open Pioneer Village and Museum for two hours before each concert, Mary Ellen Getz said. Getz’s father, Verl Dixon, is in charge of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers.
“All the buildings are original and were brought there to preserve them,” Getz said.
Getz said the village and museum are full of interesting antiques from the early settlers of Utah.
Concert Schedule:
June 5: Inside Out
June 12: Mariachi America
June 19: First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley Chorus and Handbell Choir
June 26: L’Orchestra Italiana with Tom Cimarusti on accordion
July 10: Great Basin Street Band
July 17: Peter Davidson (Juggler)
July 31: Tingstad and Rumble
For further information call 852-6646
