 | | | ZEBOP! will perform on June 14 playing Santana music. Photo provided | | | | | | Friday evenings in downtown Lafayette through the month of June mean one thing for sure - Rock the Plaza is happening. And this year the series of free concerts will have a special "Woodstock" twist, marking the 50th anniversary of this iconic hippie counterculture music festival.
The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting this year's 14th annual Rock the Plaza event by featuring music from that time of free spirit, peace, and love - a time when music was the heart of those values.
Executive director of the Lafayette Chamber and longtime Deadhead, Jay Lifson, says, "We are transforming Lafayette Plaza Park to take you all back to 1969. Each of the four concerts will include a local artist alley (aka: Shakedown Street) where visitors can shop and socialize before the music begins."
Lifson explains that each Woodstock Lafayette concert is a two-hour set from the featured band "and includes the kind of live announcements and interruptions that live in the colorful history of Woodstock lore."
The lineup includes some of the Bay Area's best cover bands that feature the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, Jimi Hendrix and the many artists that played at the original Woodstock event.
On June 7 The Fog City Swampers will take the stage. Described as a "high energy show" they play a wide range of classics. According to Lifson, "When organizers struggled to get bands to sign on for the original Woodstock festival, they made a breakthrough when they got an agreement from Creedence Clearwater Rival. They were paid $10,000. So, with a nod to that history, Woodstock Lafayette's first show will feature the Fog City Swampers doing CCR covers."
June 14's show features Zebop, a Santana tribute band. Lifson suggests bringing percussion instruments for the "Woodstock Drum Circle."
On June 21 residents can enjoy Purple Haze, an acclaimed Jimi Hendrix tribute band.
The series finishes on June 28 with The Keep On Truckin' Band, a band who describe themselves as a "tribute to the Woodstock generation" who perform rock, blues, funk and R&B.
Lifson says that bell-bottoms and hippie attire are encouraged. "These concerts are "tie-dye" optional. Bring a picnic and a blanket or buy dinner from the dozens of restaurants located within two blocks of the Plaza."
The fun will be happening every Friday in June at the Plaza Park at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road. This summer, the special artist alley will open at 5:30 p.m. The bands will be playing from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA