San Diego is very fortunate to have many outdoor music events each year, but without a doubt the best location of any is that of Pacific Beach’s Concerts on the Green, held annually at Kate Sessions Park. Sitting high on Mt. Soledad, the panoramic view from the spot is breathtaking, making this an incredible place to spend an afternoon listening to music.
Sponsored by the Pacific Beach Town Council, along with The Pacific Beach Community Foundation and Discover Pacific Beach, this year’s fifth annual concert series will take place on consecutive Sundays, from July 22 to Aug. 12, with music from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The emphasis in the entertainment is on family-friendly fare, with something in the series for just about everyone.
On hand opening day will be country and bluegrass group Riders of the Purple Sage, with swing and ’50s rock group, Eddie’s Rockin’ Revue, appearing on July 29. The Blues Racket Band, a combo adept at everything from funk to surf covers, will perform on Aug. 5. Finally, award-winning classic rock band Rockola, who has appeared every year since the event’s inception, will close out the series on Aug. 12.
Rockola frontman Bob Tedde considers the event one of the year’s highlights for his band.
“The view from the park is pretty awe inspiring,” Tedde said. “I find it amusing that with all that incredible scenery, the crowd is focused on us,” he joked. “Looking over the audience’s heads, we can see as far south as mountains across the border. Kate Sessions Park is really a beautiful place all around.”
Tedde said he also enjoys the family-friendly vibe of the event, adapting his band’s set list for the occasion.
“You can’t go wrong with The Beatles or The Beach Boys,” he said. “This concert draws a crowd that wants to have fun, with a wide range in ages, so we’ll play more common denominator songs, such as “Twist & Shout,” “Mony Mony” and so on. It’s all music that’s going to make the crowd get up and dance.”
Tedde is heartened that so many kids enjoy ’60s rock tunes.
“Many of these classic songs are becoming known to today’s kids through airplay on Radio Disney,” he stated. “This is music with true cross-generational appeal.”
Concerts on the Green is the indirect descendent of a previous annual performance at the park.
“There used to be one concert there every year, with a military band,” explained event chair Georgina Smith. “But that could sometimes be a problem, because there was always a chance they could get called up.”
Beginning in 2003 a more ambitious four-concert series was started. Though Pacific Beach is known for its proximity to the ocean, no other location was considered.
“I’ve always thought Kate Sessions Park is the most incredible spot’s to hold a concert,” Smith said. “It is the best view of the city possible. Plus, the grassy fields are perfect for kids to run around and play in, or for crowds that want to picnic, dance or just sit and listen,” she said.
While the performances have been a huge success, organizers limit the shows to four a year due to practical reasons.
“That’s how much money we can raise,” Smith said. “We operate strictly on donations, and like with everything, expenses go up every year.”
She acknowledges major support this year from the community, particularly from County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and City Council member Kevin Faulconer. A significant amount is contributed by concertgoers at the concerts themselves.
“We do pass the hat at the shows and use that as seed money for the next year,” Smith said.
For Smith, community involvement is a point of pride. It’s evident in such details as having water, soda and snacks as well as recycling at the concerts handled by Girl Scout Troop No. 3181 or having box lunches made available from area restaurant Lotsa Pasta.
Though still a relatively young event, Smith is thrilled with the reception the music series has received and hopes that Concerts on the Green will become a long-standing Pacific Beach tradition.
“It’s wonderful to see the families streaming up the sidewalks to the park,” she said. “This is something that people already look forward to, and I can only see it getting more popular.”
Though the crowds can be large, “We haven’t gotten to the point where we need shuttles yet, but that may change,” she said.
With its impressive mix of location and music, Concerts on the Green promises to be one of the summer’s highlights. Concert-goers are advised to arrive early for best vantage points, but for a wonderful day outdoors in America’s Finest City, this music series can’t be beat.
The 5th Annual Concerts on the Green music series will be held at Kate Sessions Park, on consecutive Sundays July 22 to Aug. 12. The music runs from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
For more information visit: www.pbconcerts.org.
Box lunches are available from Lotsa Pasta, 1762 Garnet Ave., (858) 581-6777, www.lotsapasta.com.