Season of free live music is underway in Jackson

As the temperature creeps up, area residents will have plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the summer with live music in Jackson.

The Rock in the Rock Garden free concert series began its eighth year June 3 with a show by Mark Rees.

Director Scott Vangilder leads the Jackson Municipal Band during a concert Thursday at the band shell in Jackson City Park.Glenn Landberg

"It's outdoors, and it brings music to the park. It's quite a nice item," Shane Anderson, Jackson Parks and Recreation director, said of the concert series. "It's a fun outdoor activity that presents the arts. We have a lot of structured ball-playing activities, and so this is one of our cultural activities."

He said concert attendance typically is around 100 people of all ages.

"We have a lot of youths under age 10 who chase lightning bugs and that during the shows," he said. "It's really a family event every time."

Some, but not all, of the musicians are also local residents. Others are touring acts that come from places such as Nashville, Tennessee.

"My goal most times is to have a mix of local entertainers, as well as those traveling musicians," Anderson said.

Patrons take in a concert by the Jackson Municipal Band on Thursday at the band shell in Jackson City Park.Glenn Landberg

Rock in the Rock Garden takes place from 7:30 to around 9 p.m. Friday evenings through July 1.

For John Philip Sousa aficionados, the Jackson Municipal Band also provides free concerts throughout the summer at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Jackson band shell.

The 40-member band, originally founded in 1920, plays more than just marching music, band president David Thompson said.

Members of the Jackson Municipal Band perform during a concert Thursday at the band shell in Jackson City Park.Glenn Landberg

"We play contemporary music, too, a lot of medleys, like Elvis Presley or a showtune that might be on Broadway," he said. "We cover a lot of territory. We usually feature a John Sousa march, but we don't fit into any particular pattern. We play a wide range of music from classic to rock 'n' roll."

The band comprises a mixture of professional musicians and volunteers and sometimes plays with guest musicians as well.

This week's Rock in the Rock Garden entertainer, Doug Rees, sat in with the Jackson Municipal Band on Thursday night.

Director Scott Vangilder leads the Jackson Municipal Band during a concert Thursday at the band shell in Jackson City Park.Glenn Landberg

"We've been pretty fortunate with picking up some pretty good groups in that respect," Thompson said.

The combination of family-friendly atmosphere, good weather -- presumably -- and free admission make the municipal band concerts a popular event, drawing anywhere from 100 to 300 people usually.

"And we're typically done early enough that families can come, have a good time and then be home early enough to get the kids to bed at a decent hour as well," Thompson said.

For a full lineup of municipal band events and special guests, visit www.jacksonmunicipalband.org.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627

Pertinent address:

Jackson City Park, Jackson, Mo.