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The Long Beach Museum of Arts' 14th season of Summer Concerts has opened, as of July 1, and runs through Wednesday, August 26.
The concerts, held Wednesday evenings on the museum grounds, located at 2300 East Ocean Boulevard, provide an opportunity to appreciate great music in a friendly, intimate setting.
"We expect this year to be the best concert series yet because we're featuring musical styles that have been the most popular [in previous concert series]," Director of Exhibitions and Special Programs Martin Betts said.
Providing a variety of cultural and regional styles, melodic attractions include Tejano-Tex-Mex, big band sounds, West Coast country, Kansas City blues, jazz and rhythm and blues. Additionally, the final performance date for the summer includes a Cajun zydeco blowout benefit concert.
Tickets for all but the final performance are sold individually; tickets for the final performance are available in table-for-10 packages only.
The museum predicts the concert series to raise over $30,000 this year, Marketing Manager Jeri Vaughn said. The revenue is used specifically to enhance and expand museum exhibitions and educational programs.
Many fans attend the concerts annually. "The atmosphere and quality of entertainment is unbeatable.
It is a special occasion that we look forward to each year," said concert enthusiast Nina Stanson. "Our favorites are always the rock and roll nights," Stanson's husband, Tom Tolbert said.
This is the final concert series to be held on the museum lawn before the museum embarks on an ambitious remodeling project scheduled to begin the first quarter of 1999.
The concert series will resume in 2000 in time to celebrate the museum's 50th anniversary, Vaughn said.
Currently, the Sculpture Garden opens at 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy pre-concert picnics or cuisine provided by local restaurants.
For more information, one may call (562) 439-2119.