If you’re looking for some fun activities to do this summer, the city of Rexburg is launching the Summer Concert Series tonight at Porter Park at the Beehive Pavilion. Musicians throughout the community will perform on Wednesday evenings through August.
Years ago, the Arnold family began the summer concert series in Rexburg. Due to the growth of music venues in the area, such as the Rexburg Tabernacle and the Romance Theater, the city stepped in to help the Arnolds with the technical side and the organization of the series.
“We’re kind of the people that are bridging the gap and wanting it to be bigger because it has kind of become something bigger than one family can handle,” Emily Shiffler, technical director for the Cultural Arts Department for the city of Rexburg said.
As technical director, she oversees the venues and corresponds with different bands and musicians to make sure they have the right technical equipment for their shows.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s so fulfilling!” she said.
Alex Holloway, audio lead for the Cultural Arts Department for the city of Rexburg, said his job is to makes sure the performers and audience members are pleased with the sounds they hear.
Holloway is performing in tonight’s first show. He will play jazz music on the bass. He likes the creative side of it, he said.
“It’s like a constant outpouring of creation and improvisation,” he said. “I think most people who get into jazz get into it because of that.”
Stephanie Steele is the lead band member of tonight’s show (she also is a host on BYU-Idaho Radio). Her trio will play five jazz songs she wrote and three songs she arranged. She loves jazz music because she can always create and improvise. Her music teacher encouraged her to start a trio and perform her music.
“It’s really fun just to take our music and play it out on a stage for the whole community,” she said.
During the month of June, there will be open mic night from 6:30-7:15 and performances will follow at 7:30. In July and August, they will start at 7:30 p.m.
Throughout the summer, a variety of musicians will perform. People will get to hear from Vox Meridian, the most recent Rexburg’s Got Talent winner, Pioneer 47, Thor’s Hammer, a group of professors from BYU-Idaho and many more local musicians.
For anyone interested in performing next summer, contact Shiffler or Holloway at arts@rexburg.org or call the city of Rexburg at (208) 359-3010.