Back live from a two-year COVID hiatus, the Point Loma Summer Concerts Series presented by Willis Allen Real Estate returns on consecutive Fridays this year from July 15 to Aug. 12.

Since 2001, Point Loma Summer Concerts, founded by Bridget Cantu Wear, wife of former City Council member Byron Wear, has been bringing family-friendly concerts to Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd.

The event offers free parking, with a free shuttle service, 5-8:30 p.m. on event nights, from the parking lot of All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd.

Up to 3,000 music fans are expected to take in performances from a wide variety of cover and tribute bands, with opening sets on the Junior Stage performed by groups of local students.

“It’s simply a free concert for the community,” said concert chair Kerri DeRosier about the summer series, whose mission is also to support local school music education. She added the fundraising part “comes from our raffle ticket sales, and all the proceeds go to music education programs.”

“We want real variety in our lineup,” said Martha Phillips, former president of the event’s board of directors. “Our audiences span a wide range of ages, from babies to senior citizens, so we look for bands that have wide appeal.”

Of this year’s concert series, DeRosier said: “Expenses for putting it on have gone way up, almost twice as much for security, and it’s all related to wages going up.”

DeRosier pointed out there are numerous workers that have to be paid to stage the Friday events, including those setting up and breaking down the stages, as well as those handling sound for the guest bands.

“We are not making money, we don’t have any paid staff; we’re all volunteers,” noted DeRosier adding, “Because we’re a nonprofit, we can’t give to other nonprofits. So we have raffle proceeds paid for by the (concert) fans who come.”

The concert chair said raffle proceeds have raised more than $84,000 over the years to support the Peninsula cluster of schools. “We’ve given money to Point Loma High and Correia and Dana middle schools,” DeRosier said. “We also have volunteers from other organizations in the community who help out such as MADCAPS, and Girl and Boy Scouts.”

Getting sponsorships from pandemic-stressed businesses has also been challenging this year, said DeRosier. “We’re making a big push this year to really get help from our community,” she said. “We’re really encouraging people to donate what they can, even if it’s just $5 or $20. We’re really reaching out to the community. You missed us. We know you loved the concerts. So we’re asking for your financial support via a donate button at pointlomasummerconcerts.org.”

Point Loma Summer Concert Series on Fridays

July 15: Cassie B’s ’90s remix.

July 22: Elton, Elton John cover band.

July 29: 24K Magic, Bruno Mars tribute show.

Aug. 5: The Mighty Untouchables, top 40 dance, Motown, disco, yacht rock, classic rock, jazz, country, current pop hits.

Aug. 12: The Pine Mountain Logs, 1970s and 1980s medley.

Junior Emcees & Junior Bands

All participants for Junior Emcees and Junior Bands must be 18 or under on April 30. Patriotic Singers can be of all ages. Auditions are via video submission. (In-person auditions have been canceled due to indoor safety concerns and scheduling conflicts.) Participants need to be available to perform on one or more of the following dates: July 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5. Priority for scheduling auditions will be given to applicants who live, go to school, or participate in a music program in Point Loma. All submissions must be in by April 30 to be considered.

Photo by Cynthia Sinclair