Live entertainment is really heating up this summer at Founders Square Park in Portage, Indiana. Bring the whole family, neighbors, and friends for what promises to be a truly fantastic music fest, with Chronic Flannel, Indika Reggae, and Rick Lindy & The Wild Ones electrifying the stage between 3:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 7 at the Indiana American Water Company Pavilion at Founders Square Park. It's all part of the 2019 Portage Summer Music Series of free concerts at Founders Square Park, which continues with concerts on the first Sunday in August and September. The Indiana American Water Company Pavilion at Founders Square Park is located on the north side of Portage Fire Station #3 at 6300 Central Avenue.
Chronic Flannel delivers the hottest hip-hop, R&B, rock, reggae, funk, pop, and country music to fan-filled audiences across Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area. The band features lead vocalist and MC, John Hendricks, guitarist and vocalist, Eric "Bernie King,” bass and vocalist, Kyle Strbiak, and drums and vocalist, Ken Shield. Each band member adds a musical background of wide-ranging influences, experiences, and study to the mix. Bringing to life an incredible range of music genres, a typical Chronic Flannel concert covers songs originally recorded by Pearl Jam, Snoop Dogg, Bell Biv DeVoe, Neil Diamond, Zac Brown Band, and many more.
Indika Reggae is truly a melting pot of crowd-drawing talent. Jamaican born Courtney Panton leads the band and plays bass. Roy (U-Roy) Muslar, lead vocalist and Mervyn Belisle, keyboard, are originally from Belise. Kelsey Tarver, on drums, is from Chicago and Gerald "Toto" Alfred, on guitar, was born and raised in Haiti. "By combining our individual experiences, we have a unique style in terms of the types of music we play," explains Panton. "It's a high-energy reggae. We like to keep people dancing. It's a party atmosphere." Indika Reggae performs covers of Bob Marley and other popular Caribbean artists, as well as the music of Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, and more-- with a reggae vibe, of course.
Rick Lindy & The Wild One's band always wows audiences of all ages by rockin' the hits of The Legends of Rock and Roll! Formed in 2000 by veteran vocalist Rick Lindy, whose powerful voice has been described as being "as big as Texas!", this super-charged popular band performs Classic Rock and Retro-Rock, playing rock and roll hits of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, as well as performing Surf, Rock-a-Billy, and Original Songs. Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones band has toured Europe and has performed concerts around the USA, mainly in Chicago at such places as Navy Pier, The Sears Tower, The John Hancock Building, Green Dolphin Street, and The United Center.
Concert-goers may wish to bring a blanket or lawn chair. Bring a picnic basket or purchase food and refreshments at Da Portable Rican and Fresh Express Burgers food trucks, Diamond Dogs and Pizza, and a Wine and Beer tent by Clancy's will also be on the premises. For shade, or if rain threatens, bring an umbrella: concerts will be held in all but violent weather.
Also on the premises, the following non-profit community organizations will have booths set up, so be sure to stop by to learn more about them: Emma's Footprints, Center for Possibilities, Portage Township YMCA, Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH), Bonner Senior Center, Gabriel's Horn Shelter, and Portage Food Pantry.
Donations of non-perishable food, personal items, and paper products for the Portage Food Pantry and Gabriel's Horn Women's Homeless Shelter are welcomed for collection at every concert but are not required.
Save these dates for the remaining 2019 Portage Summer Music Fest Series of free outdoor concerts at Founders Square Park, scheduled for the first Sunday in August and September, 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m:
August 4:
- Overdue 60s Alternative Rock
- Vintage Postcard A Vintage-modern Band--today's hits & yesterday
- The Newport Blues, Rock, Soul
Sept 1:
- Jerica Paliga Country Pop
- Jamrose Rock, Pop, Soul
- Soundz of Santana Latin Rock, Santana Cover Band
Also on the calendar, a bonus Saturday event at Founders Square on August 20th at 5:00 p.m., with a Summer Youth Theatre Showcase, featuring Regional Performing Arts Company!
The 2019 Portage Summer Music Series is produced in collaboration with Portage Township Live Entertainment Association (PTLEA), the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, and the Portage Department of Parks and Recreation. The Founders Square Park concert series is made possible by the City of Portage Founders Fund, a 501 (c) (3) fund held by Porter County Community Foundation, and Indiana Dunes Tourism.
The 2019 Portage Summer Music Series Committee includes PTLEA board members Jose Moreno, Terry Hardin, Linda Hardin, Paul Panicali, Dushanka Milatovic, and Joe Shukstor; Nancy Simpson, Executive Director of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce; and Lori Wilkie, Assistant Superintendent of the Portage Department of Parks and Recreation.
For more information about the 2019 Portage Summer Music Series at Founders Square Park, contact: the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce at 762-3300; Portage Parks and Recreation at 762-1675; Terry Hardin (PTLEA) at 762-5025, or visit the PTLEA website at www.portagemusic.com.