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Ives Concert Park summer season is underway

DANBURY, CONN. — Spring is finally here and Ives Concert Park on the Western Connecticut State University Westside campus kicked off its summer season last weekend at the venue located at 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury.

Saturday, May 13, 2018, featured the Brews & BBQ Festival hosted by Townsquare Media featuring Doyle Bramhall II & Amy Helm. If you missed it, no worries — there’s more to come at Ives.

On Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 24 – 26, prepare to be mesmerized by the WCSU Department of Theatre Arts production, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” in the MainStage Theatre of the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the WCSU Westside campus, across the road from Ives Concert Park. Performances will be at 7 p.m. all three nights. Part of the Newtown Savings Bank Fine Arts & Family Series, this production, which is a prequel to “Peter Pan,” received rave reviews during its April 2018 run at WestConn. Get tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/peter-and-the-starcatcher-summer-encore-performance-tickets-45556230913.

Saturday and Sunday, June 2 & 3, will feature the third annual Art at Ives, Juried Fine Art & Crafts Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This two-day event will feature a wide variety of high-quality original works and a diverse scope of art forms representing every major category. Food and live music, along with art classes, demonstrations and children’s activities, also will be included. New this year is a wine tasting presented by Max Wine & Spirits. The event, sponsored by Newtown Savings Bank, will be rain or shine and tickets range from $5 to $20. Children 16 and under are free. Go to www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1681190 for tickets.

On Sunday, July 15, dance will be the featured performance at 7:30 p.m. for the Newtown Savings Bank Fine Arts & Family Series at Ives. The Connecticut Ballet will present “Ballet under the Stars” featuring “Pulse” by Darrell Grand Moultrie, one of the works to be performed. A free onstage Ballroom Class will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. with Ted Thomas instructing. Bring comfortable shoes or sneakers. General Admission tickets are $10; children 12 and under are $5. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 18, at www.ivesconcertpark.com. 

Friday and Saturday, July 20 & 21, will mark the return of the second annual “MockStock” tribute band music festival from 5 to 10:30 p.m., with Friday night designated “Purple,” featuring bands playing the songs of Prince, Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone; and Saturday focusing on “Metal” in a nod to AC/DC, Guns n’ Roses and Metallica. Get tickets at www.ivesconcertpark.com/mockstock-tribute-band-fest-friday-saturday-july-20-21/.  MockStock Tribute Band Fest is powered by New Belgium Brewing and produced by Promotions in Motion and Ives Concert Park.

July events will wrap up with the always-popular Westside Reggae Festival hosted by Heart & Soul Entertainment on Saturday, July 28. Gates will open at 1 p.m. Featured artists will include Culture, Wayne Wonder, Anthem Band, Half Pint, Derrick Barnett, Tales of Joy and more. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-westside-reggae-festival-tickets-45137779313.

August will feature the following events:

Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10 & 11, will see the fourth annual Forever Grateful Music Festival, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday night and 1 p.m. on Saturday. Some of the bands scheduled to perform include Shakedown, performing the Grateful Dead; Legion of Jerry, performing Jerry Garcia Band; Brothers of The Road, performing The Allman Brothers; Ianbassa and members of MSE, performing Bob Marley & The Wailers; Jen Durkin & The Business; Union Rail; The Annual Hat City Jam (collaboration of festival artists); The Red Hots; Atom Family Band and Blackthorn Grove (members of Phoenix Tree). For tickets, go to www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1680608.

Sunday, Aug. 12, Ecuadorian Festival (tickets available at the gate).

Danbury Auto Spring & Welding will host a Big Blocks & BBQ Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 19. Ticket info coming soon.

Sunday, Aug. 26, will see the Chicha Latin Music Fest at Ives. Ticket info coming soon.

Summer may be over when September starts, but the entertainment at Ives Concert Park will continue.

Heart and Soul Entertainment will return to Ives to host its popular Jerk Fest on Sunday, Sept. 2, featuring the best in Caribbean cuisine, culture and performers. Ticket info coming soon.

Saturday, Oct. 6, will feature the Fore ‘n’ Aft Benefit Reunion to raise funds for the ALS Association, National Adoption Foundation, Hillside Food Outreach and Ann’s Place of Danbury. Live performances are expected from Rat Race Choir, Richie Scarlet, the Doug Wahlberg Band, Future Tense, the Hey Baby Band, Limelight, Paralax and Whitewood, with special guest appearances. Get tickets at https://fore-n-aft-reunion.ticketleap.com/reunion2018/.

No food, beverages or coolers are allowed in the park for these events. Food, soft drinks, water, beer and wine are available for purchase. All bags will be checked at the front gate.

For more information, visit ivesconcertpark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/ivesconcertpark and twitter.com/ivesconcertpark.

 

 

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.