CILANTRO, a musical group who performs classics from the past 50 years, was the opening act of this years’ summer concert series, Music on the Mall. Pictured here, the group performs a Music on the Mall concert in 2016.
For the 12th year, the Brunswick Downtown Association is bringing back their summer concert series, Music on the Mall.
“So, we’ve been doing this for a few years, and what’s so cool is that I’m at every one of them and I’ve talked to folks who’ve been at every one of them for the last 12 years,” said BDA Executive Director Debora King. “So it’s become a real tradition in Brunswick. Folks really look forward it.”
FOLKS GATHERED ON THE BRUNSWICK MALL LAST YEAR for a Music on the Mall concert. The Brunswick Downtown Associations has hosted the summer concert series for 12 years.
For Music on the Mall, the BDA hosts a local artist at the Bruswick Town Mall every Wednesday evening through the end of August.
“All the bands are local, certainly within Maine if not within the region,” said King. “(The bands) are certainly providing an incredible service to us.”
The style of music varies from week to week, from blues and R&B group the Colwell Brothers Band to country music performers Three’s Country.
“The music spans quite a spectrum,” noted King.
And new this year, Music on the Mall will have a night dedicated to performances from the Maine State Music Theater.
“They’re going to have a variety of performers, including The Taffetas, which is like a ‘50s girl group,” said King.
“I think it’s really become a family focused event. Lots and lots of kids, lots and lots of dogs. It’s so much fun,” said King. “It’s truly something that appeals to all ages.”
While every night is open to the whole family, Aug. 16 will be specifically geared towards children, with children’s performer Anne Sparling. Children’s night will begin at 5 p.m, while every other concert beings at 6 p.m.
“She sits on the stairs of the gazebo and just gets these kids just hopping,” said King. “It’s a really a participatory type of thing.”
Music on the Mall is more than just a concert series — it also provides benefits to the Brunswick community.
“We sell 50/50 tickets at the event, and the winner gets half the take, whatever we collect, and the other half goes to support our downtown lighting program,” said King.
Over the past few years, the event has also included featured sponsors for each night. Sponsors are given a few minutes to come up to the stage to talk to the crowd and introduce the band.
Additionally, King says that the concert encourages concert goers to patronize local food establishments and then bring their food to the mall for the show.
“I think the restaurants and take outs places do extremely well, because folks bring their dinner and they eat on their blankets and it’s just so much fun,” said King.
Music on the Mall takes place every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. through Aug. 30 on the Brunswick Town Mall. In the chance of rain, the event will be moved to Thursday when possible. The event is free to the public. For up-to-date information or cancellations, visit the Brunswick Downtown Association’s website at brunswickdowntown.org.
“It’s just bringing the community together,” said King. “And it makes Brunswick such an inviting place to live or to visit.”
nstrout@timesrecord.com
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