“Free Fridays” Concert Series Returns to Bo Diddley Plaza Each Friday May 3 – Oct. 2
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department announces the highly anticipated 2019 “Free Fridays” season concert schedule. The public is invited to join us for our annual series of free, family-friendly concerts at the Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville.
The 2019 series opens with Heroes and Harmonies by Mike Boulware and All My Friends. The concert will explore the roots of rock, country, blues, and gospel music and how these influenced and grew into SoCal rock and mainstream country music. It will include tributes to The Everly Brothers, Louvin Brothers, Delmore Brothers and other early Rock ‘n’ Roll pioneers. The band features Mike Boulware (guitar/vocals), Jana Horton (vocals), Ned Stewart (guitar/vocals) Jimmy Millsaps (drums), Brad Bangstad (keyboards), Jon Alexander (pedal steel), Tuck Tucker (dobro and slide) and Danny Roberts (bass).
According to “Free Fridays” Event Coordinator David Ballard, “We have a great mix of returning old favorites and bands that are new to the series. We always try to present a diverse selection of musical styles, and this season we have music genres that include classic rock, blues, jazz, soul, reggae, R&B, pop, folk, ska, gypsy jazz, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, Latin fusion, Cajun, Creole, swamp pop and zydeco; all culminating with the world music extravaganza presented by the University of Florida School of Music ensembles.” June will feature African American Music Appreciation month and celebrating America’s birthday, The All American Song Fest will be on July 5.
A popular trend over the last several years at “Free Fridays” has been musicians who put together special tributes especially for the concert series. In addition to the opening concert, tributes for 2019 include Stevie Ray Vaughn and Female Power Singers, Stephen Stills, Summer of ’69, California Dreaming, The 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, The Progressive Rock Experience, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix.
“Free Fridays” is funded in part by a Tourist Development Tax Grant from the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Alachua County Tourist Development Council. The entire “Free Fridays” 2019 schedule may be viewed at www.freefridaysgnv.com. The Bo Diddley Plaza is located at 111 E. University Ave. in downtown Gainesville. For general information, contact Russell Etling, cultural affairs manager, at etlingrh@cityofgainesville.org or 352-393-8532. For more information about this event, please contact David Ballard at ballarddg@cityofgainesville.org or 352-393-8746.
