This weekend is the opening of the LA SummerFEST, the eclectic summer cultural series, is now in it fourth year at Rivendale Park in Towsley Canyon.

Yes, the park is open again. And no, the fire did not touch the venue.

“We just want people to know the park is open and the festival is opening this weekend!”, says David Stears, the festival’s producer. “Just remember you have to bring a chair or a blanket because it is outdoors.”

Events this weekend include:

Friday July 15th ~ The Summer Gala and Induction in to the Court of the Lord Chamberlain: fundraising event honoring community members that have made a significant contribution to the arts. This year’s inductees include Dr. Dianne Van Hook and Frank Kleeman. The event includes dinner, dessert, a preview of the Shakespeare in the Park performances, and the ceremony.

Saturday night kicks off the performances with OUT OF THE BOX ~ A tribute to Jukebox musicals. Leslie Berra’s Summer Broadway Concert! Leslie Berra is BACK with another smash Broadway musical review, with a dynamic cast of 13 of the valley’s best! Featuring music from: Jersey Boys, We Will Rock You, Rock of Ages, Mamma Mia, Motown the Musical, Good Vibrations, Get On Your Feet, Love Janis, Marvelous Wonderettes, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Lennon, Return to Forbidden Planet and Carole King’s Beautiful. This will be a FUN FILL Concert! Tickets still available at https://leslieberrabroadway.eventbrite.com

Sunday is the AMERICANA FEST: Great Harmonies, wonderful folk music & a Foot Stompin Rockin concert by WHISKEY SUNDAY. This is a free event and family friendly! Vendors, food trucks and great music. Performing will be local men’s barbershop music of Men of Harmony. Then the folk music of Trish Lester and Linda Geleris, 2/3rds of the trio, Women on the Move (www.facebook.com/WomenOnTheMoveMusic). Finishing the event is WHIKEY SUNDAY, one the BEST Americana band in the Southland. Come out and enjoy a beautiful evening under the stars. It will be a great concert.The bar is presented by 8th & Rail (formally the VU). The free concert is made possible by Supervisor Michael Antonovcih’s Office and the Free Concerts series through the Ford and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

For more information about the LA SummerFest, to get involved or to support the festival, check out the entire calendar of events at www.LASummerFest.org, like them on facebook/LASummerFest or follow the festival on twitter @LASummerFest.

The LA SummerFest is a summer cultural festival presented by the Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival, Non-profit organization #27-1997487

Performers:

Trish Lester (TrishLester.com) is an award-winning singer/songwriter from Santa Clarita whose heartwarming pop/folk style and truly original songs leave listeners laughing, crying and humming along. The title track from her CD, “Plymouth Belvedere,” was featured on National Public Radio’s compilation of funny car music, “Stairway to Heapdom”), and her song for our military, “Thank a Soldier,” is shared on a half-dozen patriotic websites and in veterans’ tribute videos. In addition to her solo career, Trish is a member of Women on the Move Trio, winners of the singing competition at the 51st annual Topanga Folk Festival.

Linda Geleris (LindaGeleris.com): For over 20 years, Linda Geleris has been an active in the greater Los Angeles performing and songwriting scene. Her song “Call Me Crazy” opens a Columbia TriStar film. Seeking more film and TV placements for her music, she signed a multi-song deal with a great “boutique” company in New York. She performs as a solo singersongwriter and also in a group (Women on the Move Trio.) Linda has been busy recording two new CDs, both in Nashville and Los Angeles.

Whiskey Sunday combines their shared roots of Irish folk, with a hearty pour of Americana, Prairie winds, and river-side cabin hymns. In their music, you’ll hear references of an older time. Bitter-sweet tragic stories hidden in joyful harmonies. The combination of the electric harp and fiddle bring the antique effect on your ears, into a present day mist. Whiskey Sunday will bring the lake-house out in any Irish-American, folk lover. Music that asks you to pour something single-malt, sit on the porch, and sip reverently.