Umbrella Arts River of Music 2020 summer concert series
The Side Project will kick off the summer concerts in Ingleside Park this Friday, June 5, starting at 6 p.m. (Press photo by Shelia Tomkins)
By Caroline Rosacker
Guttenberg Umbrella Art members are once again hosting their popular River of Music concert series. The event is held each Friday evening beginning June 5 - Aug. 7, from 6 - 8 p.m. Musicians will perform under the band shelter located in Ingleside Park at the intersection of China Street and North River Park Drive.
Concert attendees can enjoy a variety of music genres performed by local and regional musicians. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, picnic dinner and your cooler, and enjoy the performance under a canopy of majestic shade trees while enjoying panoramic views of the Mississippi River. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome for this family-friendly event.
Organizers said, “Knowing our community is ready to celebrate summer, Umbrella Arts will continue River of Music concerts in the park under the following social distancing guidelines."
1. Anyone with known exposure to COVID-19 or who is experiencing cough, fever, or aches should NOT attend
2. All concert goers are asked to wear masks as they enter and depart the park in order to protect others from unknown exposure to the COVID-19 virus, which can linger in the air.
3. Household groups may sit together at least six feet apart from other household groups.
4. Parents are asked to keep children with their household group.
5. Household groups are invited to stay on the street in their cars or golf carts for the concerts.
6. Guttenberg Police together with Umbrella Arts hosts will enforce the health guidelines.
7. Hand sanitizer will be available for use.
Following is a list of featured performers.
The Side Project
June 5 - Umbrella Arts will kick off its 2020 Summer Concert Series with The Side Project. While all working full-time jobs, The Side Project started out as a small garage band in Guttenberg simply because of the love of music of all walks and genres. The classic rock band's members include John Collins on drums; Derrick Livingston on bass; lead guitarist Aaron Reed and vocalists Angela Reed and Dan Pierce.
Melanie Devaney
June 12 - Melanie Devaney is a folk-Americana singer-songwriter from Epworth. She is a classically trained pianist and holds a degree in creative writing. Her songs are stories from her own life adventures and the many people she has met along the way. Her eclectic sounds include country and pop and is reminiscent of a mix of Carole King and Emmylou Harris with her confessional lyrics and heartfelt music. The San Diego Kensington News described her as "a real gem."
Friends of Backbone Bluegrass
June 19 - Friends of Backbone Bluegrass, featuring "The Anderegg Family Band," plays a wide variety of Bluegrass favorites. Bluegrass music was developed in 1940s in the United States in the Appalachian region. The laid-back sound features acoustic string instruments with an emphasis on the offbeat.
The Buck Hollow Band
June 26 - Band members John and Teresa Condon have been performing together for 28 years throughout the Midwest. They play classic and modern country songs including some Elvis, Buddy Holly and other classic party rock songs, waltzes and polkas — whatever it takes to get the crowd having fun and dancing.
Triple Threat
July 3 - In observance of Guttenberg's Stars and Strips weekend, Triple Threat will be entertaining audience members for an extra hour from 6 - 9 p.m. Band members Scott Fischer, and father and son duo, Steve and Jesse Moser, play a wide variety of favorite pop, country, country rock and rock music.
The Love Handles
July 10 - The Love Handles play a variety of pop music including country, country rock and rock for your listening pleasure. Members of the Love Handles are Jim Scheffert and Chris Evers, who both grew up in Guttenberg.
The Guttenberg German Band
July 17 - The authentic traditional German/Bavarian village band, directed by Dennis Hanna, plays a wide variety of marches, polkas and waltzes, with a few specialty numbers. The German Band is comprised of members from Guttenberg and the surrounding community. They are friends who practice together for the love of German music.
Rocktide
July 24 - Rocktide band members Ben Schmelzer, Jesse Moser, Brian Willie and Derrick Livingston play classic rock, rock, country and anything starting with the Fifties all the way up to the Nineties and some recent music.
Michael Moncada
July 31 -Michael Moncada and musical guests of Cedar Rapids perform country rock music. The fast-rising, country rock, singer songwriter is sure to please members of the audience.
Pizzin' in the Wind
Aug. 7 - Pizzin' in the Wind will close the 2020 concert series with their full lineup of country, country rock, pop and rock music. Band members include Eric Meyer, Steve Moser, Jesse Moser, and Scott Fischer.
* * *
"If the weather doesn't share in the fun, the outdoor concert is cancelled," said organizers. Check out Umbrella Arts Facebook page for updates @UmbrellaArtsGuttenberg.
