The 45th annual Twilight in the Park summer concert series kicks off this week at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.
The concert series is free and will showcase over 30 musical acts from now until Aug.27. The concerts are held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. three days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Joanna Dullum, a chairperson for Twilight in the Park, said that the concert series consists of a variety of different musical acts including tribute and community bands, Latin music and more.
“We are always excited for every single band that plays for us because it’s an eclectic mix,” Dullum said.
The concerts began Tuesday with a performance by San Diego City Guard Band. The rest of the summer schedule includes:
June 17 – Memphis Soul Revue of SD
June 18 – Full Strength
June 23 – American Flyboys Band
June 24 – Summer Breeze SD
June 25 – The Tourmaliners
June 30 – 8-Track Highway
July 1 – Mixtape SD
July 2 – Navy Band Southwest Wind Ensemble
July 7 – Julia Sage and the Bad Hombres
July 8 – The Marcia Forman Band
July 9 – Bill Dutton and the Rockin Jazz Band
July 14 – Oasiz
July 15 – Pomerado Community Band
July 16 – Pretending Chrissie/Instagram
July 21 – San Diego Jazz Orchestra
July 22 – Latin Sol
July 23 – 3 CAR GARAGE
July 28 – That Beatles Cover Band
July 29 – SantanaWays
July 30 – Jack Attack Band
Aug. 4 – Ginger Cowgirl/Instagram
Aug. 5 – Michael Sanchez
Aug. 6 – Matchbox Twenty Too
Aug. 11 – Captain Morgan-Lee and the Village of K.O.R.E.
Aug. 12 – Back Pocket Whiskey Fellas
Aug. 13 – The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra
Aug. 18 – San Diego Concert Band
Aug. 19 – New Catillacs
Aug. 20 – Charlie Chavez y su Afrotruko
Aug. 25 – Mariachi Continental de San Diego
Aug. 26 – Coronado Concert Band
Aug. 27 – Bayou Brothers
Twilight in the Park began in 1981 when the late Mike Waggener came up with the idea to have free music concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion during the summer. The first Twilight in the Park concerts featured six local performers. Two years later, in 1983, 33 groups were part of the free concert series.
All concerts that are held at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion must be free in accordance with the 1915 Deed of Gift in which John and Adolph Spreckels donated the organ and pavilion to the city.
Although the concert series is free, Dullum said that they welcome donations. Depending on people’s generosity, donations can influence how many concerts there are next summer.
Save Starlight, a non-profit organization that aims to repurpose the abandoned Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park, is the fiscal sponsor for the Twilight in the Park concert series. In turn, Twilight in the Park is helping Save Starlight raise funds to refurbish their venue.
Dullum said that both Save Starlight and Twilight in the Park are involved in giving music to the community.
Ashley Gardner, a volunteer adviser for Save Starlight, also said that the link between Twilight in the Park and Save Starlight is a natural partnership. Save Starlight is advertising the event and their members are volunteering their time to staff tables, hand out programs and pick up trash.
Dullum said there will also be a special drawing for Twilight in the Park’s 45th anniversary for people who donate $45 to the concert series. Prizes include Sea World tickets, zoo tickets, coasters, and coffee tumblers. The winners will be announced at the end of the season.
The Twilight in the Park series also has a new website featuring information about the history of the series as well as an events page about the artists who are performing. The website will also include an area for donations.
Dullum encourages people to look up the bands and support them. Even though the concerts are free, she wants to promote and support the bands in other ways.
“We so appreciate that these beautiful bands donate their time and talents to Twilight in the Park at no cost,” Dullum said.
