
Picture yourself situated on the expansive lawn of the Palm Desert Civic Center Park, the sun slipping below the mountains to the west, and the lights coming up on the amphitheater for a delightful evening of music. Enticing smells are wafting over from a nearby food truck. You’re surrounded by friends and family, children are playing and dancing near the stage, and all is good.
It doesn’t get any better than that. Or does it? Did we mention that this exciting concert experience is actually free of charge?
Since 1994, Palm Desert’s popular Concerts in the Park have been a gathering spot for residents and visitors alike. Held every Thursday evening in May and October, these concerts pack in big crowds at the Civic Center Park Amphitheater who come to see rousing performances by best-of-their-genre bands from throughout Southern California.
The concert series kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, with a performance by L.A.vation, a Los Angeles-based U2 tribute band. Amy Lawrence, the City of Palm Desert staff member responsible for booking the bands, says she aims to start each series with a tribute band because they’ve proven to be popular with concertgoers. L.A.vation promises to execute both the look and sound of a real U2 concert.
The season will continue every Thursday in May. Other concert series performances include eclectic upbeat jazz from Amanda Castro Band (May 11), genre-defying rock-country-bluegrass-punk from Rose’s Pawn Shop (May 18), and roots reggae from Arise Roots (May 25).
While the music is the main draw, you can round out your evening by enjoying the culinary offerings from the food trucks that will be parked on-site. Concertgoers are also encouraged to bring picnic baskets along with blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the shows. Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited at Civic Center Park, however.
Palm Desert Civic Center Park is located on the northeast corner of San Pablo Avenue and Fred Waring Drive. For more information on the Concert in the Park series, please call 760-346-0611, ext. 416.