2011 Tunes at Twilight kicks off

Old Town Cape has once again decided to help serenade people in and around Cape Girardeau this summer with Tunes at Twilight, the weekly outdoor concert series.

The not-for-profit charged with promoting downtown Cape Girardeau organizes the series with the booking help of Larry Underberg. Tunes at Twilight includes two six-week series of hour-long concerts each Friday. Concerts in the first series, which starts today, begin at 7 p.m.

People bring lawn chairs, blankets, children, out-of-towners and picnic supplies to the concerts at the Common Pleas Courthouse gazebo on Lorimier Street. Old Town Cape does not charge for the concerts, but it does set up a souvenir and donation table. If the weather turns poor, the concerts are held in the Rose Theatre at Southeast Missouri State University. Old Town Cape announces the switch by 3 p.m. the day of the concert.

The concerts feature blues, Americana, roots and country. Here, SE Live gives a glimpse of artists in the first series.

Coles Whalen: today

Coles Whalen has played in Cape Girardeau for a privileged few who were lucky enough to score a space at the Underberg House Concert she played in 2010. The Colorado native cut an EP in 2005, and has been building a career to make any budding singer-songwriter jealous.

She has toured the U.S. and Canada, performing with hip-hop star Akon at his Hitlab Showcase in Montreal. She's opened for Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, The John Butler Trio and many others.

Her throaty voice proves quite versatile as she plays through several original tracks during her shows. She'll release her fourth full-length album this year and plans to tour Australia in December.

Jimmy Davis: May 20

Southeast Missourians should recognize this man. Jimmy Davis has played multiple concerts and Tunes at Twilight shows through the years, but his eclectic sound still draws a crowd.

Maybe people like his floating guitar sounds. Maybe people like the naked emotion of his lyrics. Whatever it is, people like it, and they'll get more of it at his concert.

He's been promoting "Campfire Songs" for some time, but has "Beagle: The Blue Album" out now. The new album includes a few more up-tempo cuts but with Davis' same authentic personality.

Giant City Slickers: May 27

A Western Swing Band, the Giant City Slickers will infuse the series with a set of fast-talkin', quick-pickin' Western swing, sure to get some attendees dancing in the grass.

This band -- from just across the river in Southern Illinois -- includes Mark Stoffel on electric mandolin and fiddle, Dan Goett on lead guitar, Alex Kirt on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Nate Graham on upright bass and two part-time drummers.

The band's loyalty to the subgenre of country would have Bob Wills himself dancing across the floor if he could.

John Latini: June 3

John Latini performs a high-energy blend of rock, folk and blues. His fun-loving colors come flying through on his original tracks. Latini won the 2008 and 2009 Detroit Blues Challenge, and you'll find out why at his Tunes gig.

He grew up playing guitar with the family and listening to musicians like Hank Williams and Harry Belafonte. Latini has performed in Southeast Missouri before, winning the approval and friendship of respected local musicians like Doug Rees and Bruce Zimmerman.

His style on stage dips into blues, singer/songwriter and folk to paint a full-bodied concert that pleases most listeners.

Craig Carothers: June 10

Craig Carothers was originally slated to play a 2010 Tunes slot, but had to cancel. Organizers luckily managed to book him again this year.

Carothers has played beside greats like Jethro Tull, Boz Skaggs, Crash Test Dummies and many others, but he stands tall and loud on his own musical ability.

His songs range from personal stories of love or life lessons like in "Surprise Surprise" to songs that document the disregarded suffering of an entire people like in "Invisible People."

Dana Cooper: June 17

Another familiar face on the Tunes at Twilight stage, Dana Cooper will close the first session of the series. Cooper consistently brings energy and soothing sounds as he wanders through his song catalog.

The singer/songwriter began his career more than 30 years ago with Elektra Records in 1973 and has been strumming along ever since. Cooper can commiserate, uplift and enlighten audiences depending on which song he decides to play.

There's a reason Cooper has appeared time and time again in Tunes lineups and house concerts in Cape Girardeau: He's just that good.

charris@semissourian.com

388-3641