Enjoy free music in downtown Faribault at the historic Central Park Band Shell at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday nights. Bring a lawn chair, sit at a picnic table or spread out on the grass and enjoy the beautiful Minnesota summer nights with a little music.
June 15 - Power of 10
Power of 10 is a 10 piece band specializing in current and classic songs. Their vocalists cover ranges of Beyonce and Lizzo to Van Morrison and Prince. The rhythm section lays down R&B grooves from Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson to the rock feels of Chicago and Bruce Springsteen! Their horn section plays intricate parts from Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of Power to melodies from Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake. Power of 10 will have you up and dancing!
June 22 - Bend in the River Big Band
Bend in the River is currently one of the top jazz big bands. The band originated in St. Peter when the majority of the players were college classmates under Dr. Mark Lammers. Included in their big band repertoire are the sounds of Duke Ellington and Count Basie to the best jazz and big band composers.
June 29 - Everett Smithson Band
Everett Smithson Band will keep your attention with five professional musicians that have performed around the country and around the world. Members have played with legends like Bo Diddley, Kim Wilson (Fabulous T-Birds), Canned Heat and more…. providing hot movin’ music from up and down the big river!
July 6 - Mankato Area Community Band
The Mankato Area Community Band has entertained audiences in Sibley Park, Mankato, for 100 years. They perform a wide variety of concert band standards, marches, new and old show tunes and movie tunes, Big Band, jazz, and patriotic music. They are excited to perform again in 2023 for the Faribault concert series in beautiful Central Park!
July 13 – Echos
The Echos, centered in St. Peter, Minnesota, is a standard Big Band grouping of saxes, trumpets, and trombones, with a full percussion section including keyboard, bass, and drums. The ensemble was founded over 20 years ago by band leader Bill Stangler. The group performs many of the old favorites by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra and others of their era.
July 20 – Little Chicago
Little Chicago is a cover band for the hits of the 60s and 70s, based in New Prague. The band has informally been together for over 15 years. The horn band plays pop/rock music, with a smattering of country and features hits by such famous groups as Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, The Grass Roots and more.
July 27 – Eclipse
Eclipse is a versatile and unique duo consisting of Martha Brown on keyboards and vocals and Kathy Wickwire on drums and vocals. Throughout their 25-year history, they have performed on cruise ships and at outdoor festivals, country clubs and private parties. Their show, from Doo-Wop to Disco, is guaranteed to bring back some great memories!
August 3 – Sawyer’s Dream
Sawyer’s Dream is an established original Minneapolis-based 70’s styled Americana vocal harmony band with elements of pop, country, soul and R&B, featuring powerhouse female lead vocals and intricate harmony arrangements, much like the Mamas & Papas, ABBA and Fleetwood Mac.
August 10 – Jivin’ Ivan and the Kings of Swing
Jivin’ Ivan and the Kings of Swing are back this year again to “jive and swing” the night away in Central Park! One fateful summer day many years ago, Ivan Whillock and Mike Hildebrandt ran into each other by chance on a golf course and teed off together. By the third hole, they were discovering they shared a love of jazz and swing music. The conversation continued and by the end of the round they realized that music made them happy, golf made them crazy and the band was born! They rounded up the best musicians they could find and the rest is history. Come on out for a great evening of music and fun!
August 17 – Stone Arch Jazz Band
The Stone Arch Jazz Band plays the soul-touching old music known as Traditional Jazz (close to how it was played in New Orleans around 1900-1930) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Comprised of trumpet, slide trombone, clarinet, tuba, banjo, piano, drums and spirited vocals, you’ll hear the high-energy, upbeat sounds of these standard tunes the way they were meant to be played.
August 24 – Madagascar Jr. (Theater)
Madagascar Jr. follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ Madagascar friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. With all performers and technicians being ages 15 to 19, ETC Productions of St. Paul produces this touring family-friendly, amusingly entertaining musical!