The Red Alert Band is taking high-energy Motown, dance and R & B to the great outdoors with a free show at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Killens Pond State Park. It will be the first show of the annual Friends of Killens Pond Summer Concert Series.
The group has opened for The Temptations, The Platters, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes and others, so they know how to keep an audience entertained.
“For us the most important thing is the audience,” bandleader Nate Caleb said. “We’re out for them to have a good time.”
So the audience should be ready to dance, because the floor is usually full when the Red Alert Band breaks out hits from the ’60s to today, including favorites like “I Feel Good” by James Brown, “Dancin’ in the Street” by Martha and the Vandellas and “Brick House” by The Commodores.
This is the third time the Red Alert Band is playing at Killens Pond. Caleb said playing outdoors is an experience far removed, and more welcoming, than the group’s gigs at parties, weddings and such.
“It’s kind of a freeing experience, in terms of just being in an open environment like that,” he said.
The concert series will run at 6:30 p.m. every Friday through Aug. 21. Nearly half of the bands in this year’s lineup are return performers from last year, according to interpretive specialist Breanne Preisen. They try to mix up the groups so repeat attendees will have something new to hear.
“We try to vary the genres to suit everybody,” she said.
Concerts draw approximately 175 attendees or more, who bring chairs, blankets and snacks to make the experience a comfortable and fun one. The Friends group of the park usually sells treats like ice cream and popcorn, too, Preisen said.
The shows are free, but there is a $3 entrance fee into the park for in-state vehicles and $6 for out-of-state vehicles.
Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com
The Friends of Killens Pond State Park Summer Concert Series starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, with the Red Alert Band.
All concerts are at 6:30 p.m. Fridays, and may be cancelled due to rain or inclement weather. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets.
For more information, call 284-4299.
The concerts throughout the summer will include:
June 26: Chapel Street Junction, upbeat bluegrass
July 3: 287th Army Band, rock
July 10: Sin City Band, Americana, honky-tonk, folkabilly
July 17: Cole Younger Band, original Americana, folk
July 24: Libby McDowell Jazz Band, jazz
July 31: Bro. Joe Baione Quintet, jazz
Aug. 7: Sandcreek, bluegrass
Aug. 14: Stoney Run String Band, bluegrass
Aug. 2: Honeycombs, oldies
Felton —
