Thirty years of sunsets: Annual concert series returns to Carbondale By Brent Stewart, The SouthernIn Southern Illinois, the Sunset Concerts are as closely identified with summer as popsicles and swimming pools. Next week, the long-running series kicks off its 30th year of bringing great music and fun in the dusk to Carbondale. Don Castle, SPC faculty advisor and assistant director of the SIUC Student Center, described the importance of the event in noting that many people come because they know they'll have a good time, regardless of the music. "It's the one place to be," he said. The Sunset Concerts are a joint venture between SIUC's Student Center and Student Programming Council, the city of Carbondale and the Carbondale Park District. The shows' venues alternate week to week between the steps of SIUC's Shryock Auditorium and Turley Park. "It's meant to bring the entire community together," Castle said. When planning for the series, Castle said they have basically stuck with a format people have come to know and really like, having a different genre of music each week in the alternating venues. "It has its own identity now," Castle said. "One of our strategies is to not tweak it too much." Seven concerts mean seven genres to represent, which is not necessarily an easy task. Castle said they are looking for acts year-round, sometimes filing bands away to look at for the next year. SPC has been fortunate enough to book bands who have gone on to later success, such as Whiskeytown, The Stereo and Train. Although Castle said it's never their goal to get an act on the rise, this year he has his eyes on two particular performers to break out: The NK Band and The Greencards. The NK Band will be performing at the Bonnaroo Music Festival before its appearance June 26. From Australia, The Greencards have been a major presence in the "newgrass" scene, having toured with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. The first concert in the series June 12 brings the music of the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings back to the area. Formerly Big Twist's "Mellow Fellows," the Kings have a long history with Southern Illinois. Castle said they have appeared at the Sunset Concerts more than any other band, which was the reason to book them for the opening of the 30th year. "It's a great way to kick off the season," Castle said. 351-5074 2008 Sunset Concert Series schedule Each concert begins at 7 p.m. Rules prohibit glass bottles, kegs, pets and solicitation; authorities will strictly enforce underage-drinking laws. For more information, call the Student Programming Council at 536-3393 or visit www.spc4fun.com. June 12: Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings, Chicago blues, Shryock June 19: Sojourn, classic rock, Turley Park June 26: The NK Band, Afro-Latin groove rock, Shryock July 3: The Greencards, underground folk/bluegrass, Turley Park July 10: Junior, punk pop, Shryock July 17: Brian Wright and The Waco Tragedies, alternative country, Turley Park, July 24: Gizzae, reggae, Shryock |