Mesa Arts Center Kicks Off Free Lunchtime Concert Series Beginning February 4

Come enjoy the beautiful spring weather and local music during Mesa Arts Center's free outdoor concerts Thursdays, starting on February 4, in the Wells Fargo Garden. These lunchtime concerts will feature local artists playing a variety of music including Irish and Hawaiian tunes, classic rock, big band, jazz, Dixieland, and more. Chairs and lawn seating are available, but guests are encouraged to bring stadium cushions and blankets. Brown bags and picnic baskets are welcome and many of Downtown Mesa's unique restaurants offer convenient and appetizing take-out options. All Out to Lunch concerts are FREE and open to the public.

Guests can combine their lunchtime visit with a FREE visit to Mesa Contemporary Arts, the five visual arts galleries at Mesa Arts Center. Sponsored by Salt River Project (SRP) Free Thursdays program continues through 2010, allowing patrons to view the exhibitions for free from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Out to Lunch is sponsored by Employees Community Fund of Boeing Mesa and Arizona Commission on the Arts.

The concerts will run from Thursday, February 4 - March 25, 2010. All concerts take place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

PERFORMERS: February 4

Tim Sadow and Liam Mackey

Rollicking traditional and original Irish tunes

Longtime valley favorite fiddler Tim Sadow and transplanted Dubliner and guitarist Liam Mackey kick out an hour of high energy "Celtic mayhem". The duo will play traditional Irish pub tunes and original songs performed around the valley by their full band "The Brazen Heads".

February 11

Bill Taylor's Early Birds

Big Band and Dixieland
The music of the Big Band Era is as fresh, exciting and toe-tapping as ever. Trombonist/arranger Bill Taylor has selected a collection of crowd-pleasing tunes that will stir old memories and create new ones.

February 18

Mikioi

Traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music and dance

Hawaiian musicians Lehua Dayondon and U'ilani YeePoong share their culture, their passion and their aloha with Arizona "mainlanders." The duo will perform traditional and contemporary Hawaiian tunes and also a few upbeat reggae favorites. The duo will be joined by traditional dancers to enhance the island mood.

February 25

MC6

A cappella and doo-wop

A few short years ago, six former Mesa neighbors formed a six-part harmony a cappella group and now there is no stopping them. They have sung at basketball games, concerts, and festivals throughout the Valley and are pleased to be making their first appearance at Out to Lunch. MC6 has selected an hour of mostly doo-wop favorites from their broad and growing repertoire.

March 4

Jan Sandwich Trio

Jazz standards

Although hundreds of children know her as a fairy godmother or other funny birthday character, Jan Sandwich is completely serious when it comes to jazz. Jan Sandwich has performed in nightclubs and resorts throughout California and Arizona for over three decades. Her warm, seasoned vocals add grace and depth to the great jazz songs of the Great American Songbook.

March 11

Zubia + Deguvara

Classic rock favorites

Acoustic guitarists Mark Zubia and Emmett DeGuvera are best known from their work with the popular local rock and roots groups including Los Guys and Tramps and Thieves. The duo performs the classic rock, roots and Americana favorites that inspired them.

March 18

Hot Club of Phoenix

Gypsy jazz

The Hot Club of Phoenix pays homage to the music of 1930's gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, who created a new European jazz by blending his musical roots with American jazz of the swing era. Hot Club of Phoenix blends the influence of Gypsy jazz with their own musical roots.

March 25

Myron Sommerfeld featuring the Music of the Stars Orchestra

Big band and dance favorites

For more than fifty years, Myron Sommerfeld has been performing music for dancing, from the rock and roll of his youth to the big band dance music his father's band would play. For Out to Lunch, Myron Sommerfeld and his eight-piece band will be performing hits by Louie Armstrong, Tijuana Brass, Neil Diamond and many, many more.

The Mesa Arts Center is located at One East Main St. Mesa, AZ 85211. Shadow Walk/Wells Fargo Garden

For more information call 480-644-6500 or visit MesaArtsCenter.com

Mesa Arts Center has received numerous awards and accolades for its programs and outstanding facilities. Arizona's largest arts campus is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and fourteen art studios. Guests, patrons and students come to Mesa Arts Center to enjoy the finest live entertainment and performing arts performances, world-class visual art exhibitions, and outstanding arts education classes. The facility is an architectural showpiece and a destination for visitors to the Phoenix area. The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through impacting and engaging experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant; and that enhance the quality of life and vitality of the region. For more information, visit www.mesaartscenter.com. Take a free guided tour of the Mesa Arts Center campus including all theaters, art studios, Mesa Contemporary Arts, and the shadow walk. Tours are every Wednesday at noon. For more information or to book your tour call 480-644-6626.

 

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