One of the things that makes the Point Loma area such a wonderful place to live is the area’s sense of community. Nowhere is that more visible than during the annual Point Loma Summer Concert Series (PLSC). Now in its 14th year, the season kicks off July 11 at Point Loma Park and continues over five weekends, offering free, family-friendly fun. This year’s featured performers will include Motown and classic-rock cover band The Mighty Untouchables on July 11, award-winning dance and Top 40 band Liquid Blue on July 18, Beatles tribute combo Help on July 25, Neil Diamond impersonators Hot August Night on Aug. 1 and horn-driven soul group Detroit Underground on Aug. 8. While the music is diverse, the bands have one thing in common; they are all crowd pleasers. “What we have found is that people really like cover bands,” said PLSC marketing the director Kerri De Rosier. “They like listening to music that they’re familiar with.”
With an expected 2,000 people per gig, it’s become one of the most coveted events for local performers. “It used to be that we had to go find the bands, but now they find us,” De Rosier joked. “We send our members out to go see the bands. We like to have a mix, so we have some Motown, we’ve got some good old rock ’n’ roll, the Beatles, Neil Diamond. We like to appeal to a wide audience.” Early concert guests will also be treated to opening sets on a “junior stage,” featuring area youngsters who kick things off at 5:30 p.m., with the main-stage music taking place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This year’s future rock stars include Fate By Friday on July 11, The Non Prophets on July 7/18, First Friday Music Club on July 25, The Sahara Grim Quartet on Aug. 1 and The California Sirens on Aug. 8.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a folding chair or blanket to enjoy the music, but they can also order dinner from one of the catering sponsors that will offer a different taste treat per event. Supannee serves up food July 11 (Thai food); Miguel’s Cocina on July 18 (fish tacos); The Peninsula Lions Club on July 25, (hot dogs and bratwursts); The Harbor Town Pub on Aug. 1 (wings and sliders); and Stump’s Family Marketplace on Aug. 8 (fried-chicken dinners). The event is a labor of love for all, from the 11-person board of directors to the 50 volunteers, whose duties range from cleanup to selling raffle tickets. The PLSC Board of Directors recently donated $2500 to Dana Middle School’s Music Program. The donation will enable the school’s band director, Ruben Flores, to purchase and repair instruments for his fifth- and sixth-grade classes. With its mix of food, music and beautiful weather, the Point Loma Summer Concert Series is a great way to hear some favorite tunes and help the area’s residents connect. “It is a wonderful community event,” said De Rosier. “It brings all ages together. We have everybody from toddlers to senior citizens, all coming together to enjoy music.” She’s said “community” is more than a buzz word when it comes to the summer concert series. “It’s also a really great collaborative event. We have gate greeters who are Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as the Optimist club, Point Loma Rotary, Point Loma Association and more. So, in addition to the great entertainment, it’s a way to bring a bunch of other community groups together,” she said. Point Loma Park is located at 1049 Catalina Blvd. near the intersection of Varona Street. Free parking is provided at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, located at 1475 Catalina Blvd. Enter the parking lot on Chatsworth Boulevard. A free shuttle runs between All Souls’ parking lot and the Point Loma Park from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m.
 For more information, go to www.plconcerts.org.