Crowd pleaser: Relaxed environment, tight format allow Tunes at Twilight to grow in popularity

Tunes at Twilight probably wouldn’t be in its 15th season if it weren’t striking a chord with the community.

But Old Town Cape seems to have found a winning formula for warm-weather community entertainment that pleases fans, artists and downtown.

“I think one of the reasons why it’s popular is because it’s more of a relaxed environment than what a typical concert would be,” Old Town Cape marketing and events coordinator Katie Amrhein said.

The free concert series takes place in the Common Pleas courtyard and draws hundreds each week in late spring and in early fall.

That comfortable environment sometimes leads people to let their hair down in ways they might not at other venues, she said.

Jenny Johnson of The Jenny Johnson Band shares a laugh with the crowd May 13 at Tunes at Twilight.Glenn Landberg

“Actually, last week, someone was there throwing her birthday party at Tunes,” she said with a laugh. “There was white linen and wine, and people were just dressed to the nines. It was just really cool to see that.”

Each year, she said, attendance grows.

“We kind of guesstimate, since it’s hard to count that many people,” Amrhein said. “But the past couple weeks, we seem to have been getting more people coming out.”

Last year, Old Town Cape estimated average attendance was about 500 people.

“We have people who come out every year,” she said. “And they tell their friends and so on, and it just grows.”

A crowd gathers to listen to The Jenny Johnson Band during opening night of the 2016 Tunes at Twilight concert series May 13 at the Common Pleas Courthouse gazebo.Glenn Landberg

One of the ways Old Town Cape keeps the entertainment schedule fresh is by listening to the area local community. They entrust longtime Cape musician Bruce Zimmerman to suggest the lineup.

This Friday, Cape Girardeau guitarist Ivas John will perform. It’s his second time playing Tunes at Twilight.

“It’s different than the normal kind of typical show for a few different reasons,” he said.

The first of which is the size of the crowds.

“I don’t generally play shows in front of six or eight hundred people.”

Plus, because the concerts are only an hour long, John said it’s easier to arrange a set.

“It’s a chance to play all your best material and put a quality show together,” he said. “Plus, it’s a really nice community event. Not only does it bring outside music to the area, but it also is a wholesome thing that anybody can go to.”

Amrhein agreed, and explained there aren’t too many venues locally where the elderly and a gaggle of toddlers can enjoy the same show. Carbondale, Illinois-based singer Jenny Johnson, who played this year’s opening May 13, said the neighborly charm of Cape Girardeau’s downtown is not lost on out-of-towners, either.

“From the beautiful river overlook to the kindness of the local people, it quickly became one of our favorite places to play,” she said. “It was clear to us that the audience as well as the good people who ran this event are passionate in their mission to cultivate the cultural richness [t]here in Cape, and they’re doing an excellent job at it. I’ll certainly make another trip across the river to come see a show.”

A large part of what makes the shows possible, Amrhein said, is Old Town Cape’s sponsors.

“And most of them are repeat sponsors, which just goes to show they wouldn’t want to come back if it wasn’t such a great event,” she said.

This year marks the first year of the Cape Corner Concerts, acoustic solo acts that perform two-hour sets as needed to enhance weekend sets.

“The Community Improvement District board thought it would be a great way to promote local music and provide entertainment while people will be walking downtown,” she said.

The Community Improvement District funds the performances.

“There’s so much happening down there,” Amrhein said. “So if you’re not already down there, it’s another reason to go down there.”

For a full schedule, weather information and updates on possible rainout locations, check Old Town Cape’s website at oldtowncape.org or its Facebook page.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627