Summer Concert Series Returns to Skypark

The fourth-annual “Music at Skypark” concert series returns to Scotts Valley on Sunday with the R&B and funk sounds of the Joint Chiefs, who will be headlining, and the reggae music of Ancestree.

The free concert series runs the last Sunday of each month throughout the summer and will benefit the music programs at Scotts Valley’s four public schools.

“We’ve lined up some terrific bands for this concert series,” said volunteer Joe Miller. “We hope people come hungry and support our concessionaires. Our aim is to raise a lot of money for the schools while providing a true family event for the community.”

Though the event is free, several local service clubs and businesses will be selling barbecue dishes, sandwiches, pizza, dessert and beer and wine.

Vendors will donate 60 percent from the concessions to the school district to help keep the music programs at Scotts Valley High School, Scotts Valley Middle School, Vine Hill Elementary and Brook Knoll Elementary alive.

According to the concert sponsors, the Scotts Valley Arts Commission and the Scotts Valley Kiwanis Foundation, the event raised $19,500 last year, $7,000 in 2010, and $4,000 in 2009. The money was used to buy musician chairs and instruments, safer choral riser, entry fees for school bands to participate in local music festivals, music books, band suits and choir dresses, instrument storage cabinets, teaching tools and other expenses to maintain the music programs at the local public schools. 

“It’s been amazing to bring our music program into the 21st Century,” said Beth Hollenbeck, music director of the Scotts Valley Unified School District.

The first concert of the series is on June 24 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Skypark.

Here is the schedule for the rest of the summer:

July 29 - West Grand Boulevard and the The Houserockers (headliner)

August 26 - Skandalism and Coffis Brothers (headliner)

Sept. 30 - Funkranomicon and Extra Large (headliner)