Concerts on the Green to Open With Jazz Festival

Summer means spending time outdoors and for a 37th year, the Valley Cultural Center is about to give Woodland Hills residents another way to do just that. It begins the annual free Concerts on the Green series Sunday.

This year’s season will open with an inaugural jazz festival with the music of Los Angeles native Freddie Ravel, who will be joined by sax player Everette Harp, 12-piece funk band Bern and Endermen, a five-piece jazz band for a four-hour, inaugural Jazz Festival.

Ravel, a Grammy-nominated composer and pianist, has performed and collaborated with the likes of Sergio Mendes, Al Jarreau, Madonna, Prince, Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Yo-Yo Ma and the Boston Pops; however, he’s also released three top-charting solo albums and one number-one American hit, “Sunny Side Up.”

The kick-off jazz festival will run from 4 to 8 p.m. and all of the concerts take place at Warner Center Park.

On June 10, the center will present a Salute to Our Armed Forces, which will feature the 300^th U.S. Army Band.  The band, based in Southern California, travels across the country performing a wide selection of songs and genres including patriotic marches, instrumental and vocal solos, overtures, pop music and more. The concert will begin at 6 p.m.

Ticket to Ride will bring Beatles mania to the park on June 17. The Beatles tribute band uses authentic Beatles instruments, amplifiers and costumes to create faithful renditions of Beatles favorites. See them at 6 p.m.

The June 24 entertainers might just be on a mission from God. Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty, who portray Jake and Elwood, make up the Official Blues Brothers Revue. The duo takes the stage at 6 p.m.

The summer vibe really gets going with a beach party on July 1. The Beach Boys tribute band Surfin’ Safari celebrates the group’s 50^th anniversary with a Warner Park beach party at 6 p.m.

Patty Smyth, known best for her 1992 number-two solo rock ballad "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough," has reunited with her band Scandal and will perform at 6 p.m. July 15.

Kenny Metcalf will portray Elton John, complete with rhinestones, sequins and funky glasses on July 22 at 6 p.m.

Freefall with the PettyBreakers at 6 p.m. July 29 as they reproduce the songs of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Matt Ryan will pay tribute to Bruce Springsteen in his Bruce in the USA show at 6 p.m. Aug. 5.

The Music of ABBA will be performed by internationally touring Arrival from Sweden. The group will perform at 6 p.m. Aug. 12.

Jefferson Starship—with Paul Kantner and Marty Balin, cofounders of 1965's Jefferson Airplane—will present Woodland Hillstock from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19. Joining the band will be blues guitarist Dennis Jones, The Shoemaker Brothers and Stellar Sons and Daughters.

Closing out the sesason will be DSB performing a Journey tribute at 6 p.m. Aug. 26.

In addition to the regular Sunday concerts, there will be a special Fourth of July concert and fireworks extravaganza. The concert will feature the Horace Heidt Jr. Band and friends performing big band tunes. The concert begins at 6 p.m. and the fireworks show starts at 9:08 p.m.