Arts in the Park will be back this summer and will be bigger and better than ever.
“I see (Arts in the Park) filling a big need in Manhattan,” said entertainment booker Eric Kleiner. “A lot of these bands you’re going to be paying $20 to $50 (for tickets) or maybe even more for some of them. So I think this gives people the opportunity to see shows they may not normally get to see.”
There will be a free concert at 8 p.m. every Friday in June and July at Larry Norvell Band Shell, said Manhattan Parks and Recreation superintendent Chris Curtis. But unlike past years, the booking of artists was done not by parks and rec staff but by Eric Kleiner and his associates at the Art Press Fund.
“We are really trying to bring in acts that will bring in a larger demographic of people are a larger age range,” Kleiner said. “I think this year we have a higher level of talent performing, and I think that’s why I was hired by the city.”
This year’s lineup includes a large range of musical entertainment from Blackbird Fields, Drifters Mile, Augustus and many others. Kleiner said he’s most looking forward to the July 21 concert with Pink Fuzz and Headlight Rivals.
“I think that Pink Fuzz is one of the biggest groups that comes through here on the rock side of things and I think there will be an exceptionally large pull for that concert,” Kleiner said. “I also think that Headlight Rivals is a great band.”
Another band Kleiner said will get you on your feet is Colten Jesse and the Hooligans. They are based in Texas and are verified on Spotify with 368,779 monthly Spotify listeners.
“I would say it’s definitely going to be something that makes you want to move,” said the band’s drummer Hunter Arnold. “It’s like a, I don’t know how to really explain the vibe of our live show, but you’re going to want to dance. You want to move, you want to jump around, have a good time, and it’s straight up weird country music.”
Arnold said the band members were excited to get to come to Kansas to play because Manhattan has the “rodeo or cowboy country” audience that relates to them and their music.
“We have a really wild story,” Arnold said. “Like I come from a roping and a cowboy background and all that stuff. Then Colton come from riding bulls, and we met through mutual friends. Then you know, put this band here together.”
Here is the schedule with descriptions from Arts in the Park organizers. Shows are at Fridays at 8 p.m. at the Larry Norvell Band Shell in City Park.
June 2
Opener: Plastique
From: Kansas
A new wave/rock band that plays locally. They started in 1978 and was a signed band in LA . Their singer Dave Zerfas has been a very respected musician/artist throughout the years.
Headliner: Augustus
From: Colorado
Augustus is a dual guitar, harmony driven rock act from Boulder Colorado, they are constantly touring and making the festival circuit.
June 9
Johnny Woods
From: Oklahoma
Johnny Woods is an up and coming country act with mellower, old school country vibes while maintaining a bit of the more modern “ag sound” that fills venues in the Midwest.
June 16 — Juneteenth Performance
Headliner: Keith Washington
From: Michigan
Keith Washington is a national recording artist who performs R&B, soul, and Jazz from Detroit, Michigan. He is best known for his 1991 hit song “Kissing You.” He will be joining us for the Juneteenth Soul Jam Event.
June 23
Co-Headliner: The Box Turtles
From: Manhattan
Local band, The Box Turtles, formed in 2017. In that time, they have been regionally touring and creating a following for themselves with their rock originals along with their crowd pleasing covers.
Co-Headliner: Dave Spiker
From: Manhattan
Dave Spiker is nothing short of a local music legend. Spiker is not only a top shelf solo singer songwriter but has been an amazing front man, guitarist, bassist, drummer, and songwriter for many of Manhattan’s most notable bands such as Ruskabank, The Goodbye Sort, The Pembertons, and Jonathan to name a few.
June 30
Colten Jesse
From: Oklahoma
Colten Jesse is one of the biggest acts that we have coming to the City Park stage. He maintains an old school country sound. He has managed to rack up over 3 million views on his song “Marlboro Man” on Youtube. This is definitely not something that you get to go to for free in normal circumstances.
July 7
Drifters Mile
From: Ozark Mountains
Born from the Ozark Mountains (a melding pot of music and cultures for generations), Drifters Mile plays roots music, influenced by nearly every type of music that one can listen to.
July 14
Paramount
From: Kansas & Missouri
Paramount is a ‘70s/’80s cover band that brings in big crowds around here. They play big venues, most notably The Voodoo Lounge in KC. Their tributes to anthems of the past and their loud guitar driven sound is a crowd pleaser!
July 21
Co-Headliner: Pink Fuzz
From: Colorado
Pink Fuzz is not only a co-headliner for Midfest in Manhattan but is also a road dog band that brings great hooks and huge rock-’n’-roll guitar riffs.
Co-Headliner: Headlight Rivals
From: Manhattan
Co-headliner of Manhattan’s own Midfest, is the premier rock & roll band of Manhattan currently! They are a touring act who has a full length LP entitled Mattson out and are now on the record label, Dumb Ghost Recording Enterprises. Their heavy but poppy sounds might remind some of bands such as Cheap Trick, Soul Asylum and The Replacements.
July 28
Opener: The Blackbird Fields
From: Manhattan
The Blackbird Fields are a very enjoyable local act for all ages and also have a good local pull around Manhattan. They are a Blues/Rock fusion much like The Black Keys or White Stripes. They are lyrically driven and put out a lot of sound for just a guitar and a drum set!
Headliner: Wayne Gottstine
From: Kansas
Wayne Gottstine is a local legend with bands from Lawrence that have a great pull around here as he is very respected in Manhattan and the surrounding areas. He was one of the founding members of Split Lip Rayfield. He is a folk, rock, and bluegrass musician who is no stranger to national touring.
