'Sunset Serenades': Free Concerts Begin Next Week In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — Free summer concerts by the Long Beach Municipal Band are back, starting next week, with this year's main theme being "Sunset Serenades."

The summer concerts kick off next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and will continue multiple times a week through Aug. 1, Long Beach city officials said in a June statement.

“Each summer, the Long Beach Municipal Band brings our community together through the power of music,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement earlier this month. “Join us as we gather in our beautiful parks to uplift our incredible local talent, highlight our deep roots in arts and culture, and celebrate this cherished tradition of world-class performances shared with friends, families and loved ones.”

Although the main theme is "Summer Serenades, each week will have a different one: Wild Wild West (week one), Let Freedom Ring (week two), The Movie Music of James Horner (week three), Night at the Opera (week four), Viva La Fiesta (week five) and Symphonic Popcorn (week six).

Grammy-nominated singer Crystal Lewis will join the band for the first week, which will feature a "high-energy performance that brings the spirit of the frontier to life," all set against a rustic backdrop, according to city officials.

Here is the full summer schedule:

• Tuesdays —Whaley Park North (June 24 and July 1), Bixby Annex Park (July 8, 15, 22 and 29)
• Wednesdays — Los Cerritos Park (June 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30)
• Thursdays — Conductor Larry Curtis Concert Park at Marine Stadium (June 26 and July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31
• Fridays — El Dorado Park West (June 27, July 11, 18 and 25 and Aug. 1)

The Long. Beach Municipal Band is the oldest city-funded municipal band in the country, according to the nonprofit, Visit Long Beach. The band was started in 1909 and will be celebrating its 116th season this year, according to city officials.

“The Long Beach Municipal Band's summer concert series is a cherished tradition that transforms Long Beach parks into vibrant hubs of music, celebration and a sense of community,” Long Beach Municipal Band Conductor Kurt Curtis said in a statement. ”This year’s ‘Sunset Serenades’ concerts offer a diverse array of musical genres, showcasing the exceptional talent of the band.