Chula Vista’s Memorial Bowl was rocking and rolling on Sunday, June 23, as a trio of music and entertainment acts rang in the city’s Music in the Park summer series.
The event was put on by the city’s cultural arts department, and included music from Misty & The Mobys, Kicks, and an acrobatic performance from Ron Lindley of the Fern Street Circus.
Local resident Claudia Gonzalez attended the event, and said it was “a lot of fun.”
“It’s great to get people out,” she said. “Especially in the evenings, and get them away from technology a little bit.”
In addition to the live performances, on-site vendors offered art and bracelet workshops, face painting and henna tattoos.
“I think it’s just a time when people can really communicate and bond with each other, sometimes everybody gets so busy in their lives,” Gonzalez said. “Sometimes it’s nice where we can just get together and listen to music and bond that way.”
It was the first of what will be four consecutive Sunday-night Music in the Park events – all held at the Memorial Bowl off Third Street – and was a prelude to an event on June 30 called Market in the Park, which, in addition to live musical acts, will include food and craft vendors, community yoga and more.
Chula Vista resident Susan Bacerra attended the event with her boyfriend, and said she came to “check (it) out,” after overhearing the music from a window in her home.
“I think it’s great for the community to have stuff to do that’s family oriented, that’s fun, that gives you a variety of stuff,” Bacerra said.
Chula Vista Cultural Arts Manager Lynette Tessitore organized and attended the event, and said the goal is to make this year’s series a collaborative effort.
“We have had music in the park before but we didn’t have an experience side to it, so now we’re trying to bring more experience side, to bring more family friendly events, to incorporate more performances than just music,” Tessitore said.
Following the event on June 30, the Memorial Bowl will host a battle of the bands competition on Sunday, July 7, with participants competing for a chance to win a trio of prizes, including a paid gig at the Chula Vista HarborFest on Aug. 7, a recording session at Southwestern College and concert tickets from Live Nation.
A combination of Market and Music in the Park will then wrap up the summer series on July 14.
“It brings the community together,” Tessitore said. “Fun, free, it brings the community together to show that we’re a great community and we enjoy having music and cultural arts.”
