Fridays mean free music, Saturdays free movies

La Plata's family events under way

Friday, June 5, 2009

The town's popular evening summer concert series kicked off May 29 and will continue every Friday evening, weather permitting, until Oct. 2, said Amy Pena, the town's special events coordinator. The concerts are free and are held on the town hall lawn on Queen Anne Street.

About 1,000 people attend each of the 7 p.m. concerts, Pena said, adding that she has lined up some new acts to entertain this summer, including the 8 Ohms Band, Sweetwater and Special Blend. The music ranges from jazz and blues to southern rock and country.

New this year, on the first Friday of each month businesses, nonprofits and food vendors are invited to set up on the town hall lawn beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The mini-festivals are designed to help struggling businesses and nonprofits during the recession and to introduce their services to local folks who attend the event, Pena said, adding that vendors can set up for free.

"I'm a huge supporter of nonprofits," she said. "I welcome any nonprofit to come out and make some money. It's tough for them right now."

Pena said that she has invited a lot of town and county businesses to set up a display during the first Friday event.

"Applications are still pouring in," she said. "I sent applications to every business in La Plata. There's going to be a huge range of people who are going to come out to promote their businesses from every spectrum."

The event will also feature a lot of kids' activities, Pena said, adding that folks are asked to not bring alcoholic beverages to the events and to please keep their pets at home.

The town is once again sponsoring the free Screen on the Green movie night, Pena said. A family- friendly movie will run the second Saturday of each month on the town hall lawn.

About 100 people typically show up for the movie night, Pena said.

"The movies are free and you can't beat that," she said. "There's a great atmosphere and people can come out and spend some time with their family, friends and neighbors."

Mayor Roy Hale said that he is pleased with the special events that have evolved in the town during the last few years.

"The concerts have been well received for many years," he said. "I'm quite pleased with the attendance. I encourage people to bring a chair or a blanket and come out and enjoy the fellowship.

A summer of music and movies under the stars

La Plata officials are sponsoring the town's annual Friday night summer concert series again this year with a variety of bands and other activities. The concerts, which begin at 7 p.m., run from tonight until Oct. 2 on the lawn of the town hall at 305 Queen Anne St.

On the first Friday of each month local businesses, food vendors and kids' attractions will be on hand at 5:30 p.m. with the concerts starting at 6 p.m. and running until 9 p.m.

The bands scheduled to play are:

June 5 8 Ohms Band

June 12 Streetwater Band

June 26 Steve Potter Blues Band

July 10 The Wise Guys

July 17 U.S. Navy Band Electric Brigade

July 24 U.S. Navy Band Next Wave

July 31 U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters

Aug. 7 8 Ohms Band

Aug. 14 Southern Maryland Concert Band

Aug. 21 Swamp Dogs

Aug. 28 U.S. Navy Band Cruisers

Sept. 4 25th Hour Band

Sept. 11 Nuttin' Fancy

Sept. 18 Sweetwater Band

Sept. 25 Sound Storm

Oct. 2 Special Blend

The town is also sponsoring Screen on the Green movie nights. The movies are free and begin at 8:30 p.m.

Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Visitors to the concerts and moves are encouraged to bring along blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy entertainment under the stars.

The movies to be shown are:

June 13 "Wall-E" (rain date-June 20)

July 11 "Hotel for Dogs" (rain date-July 18)

Aug. 8 "Madagascar-Escape 2 Africa" (rain date-Aug. 15)

Businesses and food vendors who are interested in setting up displays during the events, contact Amy Pena, the town's special events coordinator, at 301-934-8421 or apena@townoflaplata.org.

In the event of inclement weather the town has set up an after-hours message that will advise if a concert has been cancelled. Call 301-934-8421 to access the message.