In 2002, the Rotary Club of Wilsonville embraced an exciting vision — a free summer concert series to entertain families and thank the Wilsonville community for supporting the club’s service projects all year long.
And now, in 2016, that vision is still going strong.
The 2016 Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts are back this summer, featuring three headliner acts that are new to the series, plus one longtime favorite. Quarterflash, Ben Rice and The Junebugs will join Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts as part of this year’s lineup. Opening for these headliners will be Whiskey Darlings, Ani Bani, Holfar Blue and Tommy Retro.
“We are excited about this year’s lineup and believe that it will be one of the best ever,” Club President Kyle Bunch said. “The Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts are where people get together to enjoy great music and good company, plus the opportunity to support polio eradication through Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.”
The shows take place on the last two Thursdays in July and the first two in August in Wilsonville’s Town Center Park. The exact dates, performers and times are as follows:
- Thursday, July 21 — Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts (6:30 p.m.). This popular tribute to the classic rock ‘n roll era will return for its 12th consecutive appearance at the Wilsonville series. It’s little wonder club members refer to the Lugnuts as “Wilsonville Rotary’s House Band.” It’s always a big crowd and a good time. Opening will be the folk-rock-blues duo Whiskey Darlings (5:30 p.m.), comprised of Michele Van Kleef and Rob Rainwater.
- Thursday, July 28 — The Junebugs (6:30 p.m.). This clever, fast-rising folk-pop trio (Moses Barrett, Kyle Owen, Sean Vinson) delivers ingenious, stripped-down interpretations of the popular hits of yesterday and today. By blending nimble folk instrumentation with stunning vocal harmonies, they make an unforgettable impression. Opening will be Wilsonville-based alt-rock vocalist Jane Deaux at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 4 — Ben Rice (6:30 p.m.). This young Portland bluesman is earning respect far and wide for his impressive talents as a vocalist, guitarist and blues interpreter. In fact, the Cascade Blues Association recently recognized him with its coveted Best Traditional Blues Act award. It will be an all-blues evening, as Ben’s opening act will be the Tualatin-based blues band Holfar Blue (5:30 p.m.)
- Thursday, August 11 — Quarterflash (6:30 p.m.). Very few bands out of Portland have ever made it as big as these platinum-selling rockers, anchored by vocalist-saxophonist Rindy Ross and her husband, guitarist-songwriter Marv Ross. Their chart-conquering singles — including “Harden My Heart,” “Find Another Fool,” “Night Shift” and “Take Me to Heart” — helped define rock radio in the 1980s. Opening will be Portland’s own Katelyn Convery (5:30 p.m.), performing her folk-pop original compositions.
All these concerts are free, but patrons will have the opportunity to make a donation to support End Polio Now. At last year’s series, spectators donated a total of $9,000 at the four shows, setting a series record. The club has gathered more than $48,000 in donations for polio eradication during the history of the series.