Large crowd welcomes new season of Tunes at Twilight concerts

The combination of music and the outdoors drew a crowd of 600 to 700 people to the Common Pleas Courthouse gazebo to kick off Old Town Cape's Tunes at Twilight music series Friday.

"That is probably the biggest crowd we have ever had," said Nicholle Hinkle, project manager for Old Town Cape.

County Clerk Kara Clark Summers attended the concert with her husband, city councilman Trent Summers, and their son, Clark. They said the music and outdoors is what attracted them to the event. They attended about half of last year's concerts.

"It's awesome that we can bring our family and have a nice night outdoors with the community," Kara Clark Summers said.

Leslie Dysinger, of Nashville, Tenn., opened the series with their American and folk rock tunes. In addition to some original songs, she also covered songs such as Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee" and Kings of Leon's "Sex on Fire."

Jen Cecich of Jackson described Dysinger as a mixture of Melissa Etheridge and former "American Idol" contestant Crystal Bowersox. She attended Tunes at Twilight for the first time Friday after she was invited by her friends to enjoy the music and atmosphere.

"I think she is great," Cecich said. "I have enjoyed her."

Christy Priday of Sikeston, Mo., described the music as relaxing.

"It goes with the mood of the setting," Priday said.

Priday and her husband, Ron, were also newcomers to the concert series. They said they plan to attend more shows due to the atmosphere and setting.

Hinkle said she thought the band would be received well by the crowd.

"People around here like local artists," Hinkle said.

The series has been around for about 12 years, since the formation of Old Town Cape. Hinkle said between 400 and 500 people usually attend the shows and before Friday's concert, she was expecting a similar turnout. However, after the show ended, she estimated they had beaten their record.

Peggy Barringer of Cape Girardeau has been attending the concert series since it began. She said the combination of entertainment and seeing her friends and family is what keeps her coming back.

"It is supporting a Cape activity," Barringer said.

The series is made up of two, six-week schedules. The first series is set to take place at 7 p.m. every Friday until June 15. That lineup includes artists such as Kevin Danzig, The Cantrells and Ivas John. The second set of concerts will take place at 6:30 p.m. every Friday between Aug. 17 and Sept. 21. The lineup for that series will include Jimmy Davis, Grace Askew and Jeff and Vida. A full list of performers can be found at oldtowncape.org.

In the event of rain, concerts will be moved to Rose Theatre at Southeast Missouri State University. Old Town Cape will announce a change of venue by 4 p.m. the day of the concert. Updates can be found at oldtowncape.org or the organization's Facebook page or Twitter feed.

ajones@semissourian.com

388-3654

Pertinent address:

Common Pleas Courthouse, Cape Girardeau, MO