DESTIN — The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation presents the 21st annual installation of Concerts in the Village series. The event is a family-friendly, outdoor presentation.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m. Thursday from May 5 through June 30 at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive, Destin.
Bring a lawn chair, picnic and wine, or purchase soft drinks and dinner prepared by a featured restaurant or food trucks on site. Admission is $12 for adults; children age 12 and under and MKAF members get in free of charge.
A limited number of first come, first served VIP tables are available to foundation members for the nine-week season for $950 (includes admission, reserved table and seating for up to eight guests). Call 650-2226 to inquire about membership or to purchase a table.
Some of the finest local and regional touring artists will hit the Dugas Pavilion stage to perform everything from Motown to rhythm & blues, jazz, and funk to classic and modern rock.
This year’s showcase roster includes a variety of talented bands paying tribute to music legends from Santana and Joe Cocker to Journey and Johnny Cash — even Elvis is expected to make an appearance!
The schedule is as follows: May 5, The House Rockers (Mississippi blues); May 12, Moos Bros. (Emerald Coast’s premier party band); May 19, Emerald Gold (Motown revue); May 26, Supernatural (Santana tribute band); June 2, Lava Lamp (‘70s soul, funk and disco); June 9, Faithfully (Journey tribute band); June 16, The Joe Band (Joe Cocker tribute band); June 23, The Maxx (a blend of oldies with pop tunes); June 30, Todd Allen Herendeen: Legends in Concert (tribute to legends such as Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and Elvis).
“Music is an art form that connects us all. If you haven’t come to the Concerts in the Village or haven’t been in a while, we invite you to gather with us among family and friends for a true summertime celebration of music, food and fun,” said Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation CEO Marcia Hull.
“No question about it, the arts are integral to having a whole community. All of MKAF’s signature cultural events go a long way towards funding empowering arts programming for children, youth and adults with special needs, and emerging therapeutic programs for our local disabled veterans,” said Hull. “Our one-of-a kind outreach program, All Kinds of Art, is truly dedicated to serving all kinds of populations with impactful arts experiences.”
Other signature events for MKAF’s 2016 season are the eighth annual Labor Day Weekend Concert (Sept. 4); the 21st Annual Festival of the Arts (Oct. 29-30) and the 21st annual holiday offering, Sounds of the Season (Dec. 2), at Village Baptist Church in Destin.
Concerts in the Village is made possible by the generous support of local individuals, businesses and media partners. To join MKAF, gain benefits as an event sponsor, provide a donation or explore opportunities to get involved on a committee of the Board of Directors, call 650-2226 or visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation sets concert series