Salem Summer Concert Series Committee members from left, Shane Franks, Melissa Costa, Joy Cable, Rita O’Leary, Brittany Maniscalco, Connie Cranmer, John Panezott and Ed Cable display this year’s schedule, featuring 14 free concerts covering all musical genres and tastes at the Orashan Memorial Civic Center at Waterworth Memorial Park. The concerts begin Friday, June 3, at 7 p.m. with the Salem Quaker City Band performing “Music of the British Isles.” Missing from the photo are committee members BJ Abrams and Bob Sebo. (Salem News photo by Mary Ann Greier)

SALEM — The concert series known as the “Best Free Entertainment in Salem” kicks off on a Friday this year with the Salem Quaker City Band playing music from the British Isles.

A local favorite of concert-goers, the Salem Quaker City Band comprised of 60 local musicians will perform at 7 p.m. June 3 at Waterworth Memorial Park under the direction of Robert Barnett.

The talented group will return for two more performances before the summer ends, filling the stage at the Orashan Memorial Civic Center, affectionately known as the band shell, with the sounds of patriotic tunes at 6 p.m. June 26 and music from the performing arts at 7 p.m. July 29.

Concert attendees are reminded to bring their own lawn chairs and then pick their spot in the grass for a relaxing evening.

The Summer Concert Series Committee and Salem Parks and Recreation Department recently announced this year’s lineup of 14 concerts — all free — featuring a little bit of rock and roll, a little bit of country and some jazz, pop, oldies, big bands and even a Las Vegas headliner thrown in.

Local band Manhattan, with Rich and Lori Juhn and Gary Hill, will open the Sunday evening concerts at 6 p.m. June 5 with dance music from the sixties to the present day. All concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Sundays, with the exception of the two Friday night concerts at 7 p.m.

“The Summer Concert Committee remains committed to providing quality musical entertainment and a toe-tapping experience during the summer of 2022. Our committee worked through the winter months to guarantee the quality of the live music being offered weekly during June, July and August. Our committee members are dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience for area residents of all ages,” committee member Melissa Costa said in a press release. She also expressed how grateful the committee is for the preparation of the grounds and venue by city Parks Director Shane Franks and his employees. Franks is a member of the committee, along with Parks Commission Chairman John Panezott, Joy and Ed Cable, BJ Abrams, Bob Sebo, Rita O’Leary, Connie Cranmer, Brittany Maniscalco and Costa.?According to information provided by Costa, cultural grants from Salem Community Foundation’s Charles F. Fox Memorial Fund, the Pearce Foundation, City of Salem, Tourism Advisory Board of Salem, and Perry Township directly support the Summer Concert Series.

Contributions in support of the Summer Concert Series may be sent to Salem Community Foundation, P.O. Box 553, Salem, Ohio 44460 with “Summer Concerts” on the memo line.

“The Summer Concert Committee is extremely grateful for all the generous individuals and businesses who help to sponsor the concerts and provide donations for the weekly gift basket drawing,” Costa said.

At each concert, tickets will be sold for a 50/50 drawing and baskets donated by local businesses. Deborah Cappa will have her concession trailer on site selling sandwiches and soft drinks, including the ever popular DiRusso’s Real Italian Sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions.

Parking is available off of Sunset Boulevard, accessible from North Lincoln Avenue, and also by entering Waterworth Memorial Park at Superior Avenue where there is limited handicapped-accessible parking. Information about the bands and their musical genre will be published weekly in the Salem News and Morning Journal.

Costa said the committee “encourages all music lovers and friends of Salem’s parks to like and follow “Salem Ohio Concerts” on Facebook for additional information.

The full Summer Concert Series schedule includes:

— 7 p.m. Friday, June 3, Salem Quaker City Band, “Music of the British Isles”

— 6 p.m. Sunday, June 5, Manhattan, Dance music from 1960s to present

— 6 p.m. Sunday, June 12, Savoy Big Band, 13-piece band with music from 1920s and 1930s

— 6 p.m. Sunday, June 19, Backbeat with John Reese, local favorite performing oldies, Motown and pop music

— 6 p.m. Sunday, June 26, Salem Quaker City Band, Patriotic music for the nation’s birthday celebration

— 6 p.m. Sunday, July 10, Aftermath “Experience the Sixties,” Recreating the sights and sounds of the 1960s

— 6 p.m. Sunday, July 17, Youngstown Saxon Band, Traditional European Brass Band “Fest Music”

— 6 p.m. Sunday, July 24, Frankie Scinta – Las Vegas Headliner, Vintage Vegas entertainment with music and comedy

— 7 p.m. Friday, July 29, Salem Quaker City Band, “A Western Saga” – Music from the performing arts

— 6 p.m. Sunday, July 31, Jukebox Saturday Night, A celebration of America’s Swing Era

— 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug 7, The Wrangler Band, A country and classic rock band from western Pennsylvania

— 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug 14, Salem High School Alumni Night with The Ovation Band, Music from the 1940s to today’s pop and dance favorites

— 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug 21, Out of Eden – Eagles Tribute Band, Replicating the classic music of the legendary Eagles

— 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug 28, The Labra Brothers, Northeast Ohio Latin funk and soul.