The city of Santa Clarita’s popular summer Concerts in the Park series is back for a 26th year with an eclectic line-up of all-new acts, including award-winning tribute bands highlighting some of the greats.  The free, annual concert series kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2015 in Central Park, located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road.

Joel the Band will captivate Santa Clarita audiences at the July 11 show with Billy Joel covers. Fresh off the national tour of the Tony award-winning rock musical “Movin’ Out,” Piano Man Kyle Martin and his fellow musicians will light up the Central Park stage with premier rock and roll.

The series continues on July 18 with Marie Wise-Hawkins, a recent local and state champion in the world’s largest country music talent competition, Country Showdown. Her performances of both original and modern country songs will have audience members line-dancing all night long.

On July 25, The Pettybreakers will recreate the sights, sounds and concert experience of a Tom Petty concert in Central Park with all the hits – American Girl, Break Down, Free Fallin’ and Mary Jane’s Last Dance.

Marie Wise-Hawkins

Santa Clarita residents can enjoy the smooth, Latin sound of Scott Martin on August 1. After fourteen years of playing with the Grammy Award-Winning Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, Martin will bring Latin Jazz and Soul Jazz to the park with the Scott Martin Latin Soul Band.

AirPlay will bring the nineties back to Santa Clarita on August 8 with high-energy performances of upbeat dance numbers played on radio waves from the nineties to today. Lively, choreographed dances will entertain Concerts in the Park attendees.

Underground American rockabilly will rock Central Park on August 15 with Three Bad Jacks. Selling out rooms from Hollywood to New York City, the hot trio displays a mastery of big beat heritage with a rebel spirit.

The familiar sounds of Earth, Wind and Fire will delight audiences when Kalimba takes the stage on August 22. With the combination of lead vocalist Thomas “Chazz” Smith and drummer Jeff Haile, Kalimba is a treat for the eyes and the ears with lively renditions of the band’s popular classics.

Finally, on August 29, the concert series culminates with Mirage – Visions of Fleetwood Mac. The five-piece band recreates the superstar group with vocalist Michelle Tyler, whose performances were praised by Stevie Nicks herself.

In anticipation of this year’s summer concerts, attendees are encouraged to arrive early to set up chairs and enjoy a selection of various food vendors.  Out of consideration for others, guests cannot reserve areas by staking or roping. Umbrellas and canopies are welcome, but must be disassembled before show time.

A free bike valet service is available to all concert attendees at the parking lot turn around, courtesy of the SCV Bike Coalition. To find the best bike route to Central Park, visit bikesantaclarita.com. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. on concert days, limited backstage parking is available on a first come, first serve basis for $20 per vehicle.

For more information on the 2015 Concerts in the Park series, please contact the City’s Arts and Events Office at (661) 250-3787 or visit arts.santa-clarita.com/events/concerts-in-the-park.