Shaded Soul Band Brings Funk And Motown To The 2026 Waterford Concert Series

WATERFORD, CT — By 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, Waterford Beach Park will begin its weekly transformation.

Ordinary patches of grass will become prime concert seating. Blankets will turn into family headquarters. Lawn chairs will appear in neat little rows, and friends will wave to one another across the park as the shoreline breeze carries that unmistakable feeling: something fun is about to happen.

Then, at 6:00 p.m., Shaded Soul Band will take the stage.

This award-winning, high-energy New England band has been entertaining audiences since 1985. Its wide-ranging repertoire travels through R&B, Motown, funk, soul, jazz, reggae, swing, rock, pop, disco and Top 40 music—making it a natural fit for a summer evening designed to bring generations together.

Picture it: grandparents tapping their feet to a familiar groove, parents abandoning their lawn chairs for the dance area and children inventing brand-new moves with complete confidence. Even the family member who insists, “I’m only here to relax,” may find it difficult to remain seated once the rhythm reaches the back row.

And that is the real magic of Waterford’s Summer Concert Series. The music may begin onstage, but before long, it spreads across the entire park. Neighbors become dance partners. Old friends reconnect. New friends meet while comparing picnic snacks. For one summer evening, the community moves to the same beat.

Admission is free, so gather your favorite people, pack your lawn chairs and blankets, and head to Waterford Beach Park, 305 Great Neck Road, for an energetic night beside the water.

The concert begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22. Come early, choose a comfortable spot and prepare for a performance filled with soul, style and plenty of reasons to dance.

Weather-related announcements and additional concert details will be shared throughout the summer by . Follow the Waterford Recreation and Parks Department on Facebook for the latest updates.