Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College announced the line-up of entertainment for the 2016 Hot Summer Nights Concert Series, a series of free concerts scheduled for the college’s outdoor-indoor amphitheater. The popular performances are open to the public and will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every Thursday evening for four weeks beginning on July 7 and concluding on July 28. All concerts will be held rain or shine under the dome of the spectacular amphitheater.
“This is our 18th summer that we will have presented free concerts at the college” said Tom Urbanski, director of public information at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. “The concerts have become hugely popular among area residents and visitors, many who keep coming back every summer to hear great music in a wonderful setting. Best of all, our 2016 Hot Summer Nights Concert Series will feature crowd favorites from past seasons.”
The series opening act on July 7 is Vicky Emerson and Sarah Morris as part of their Highways & Heartstrings concert tour across the country. On July 14, the long-awaited return of McInnis Kitchen will take the stage, performing their fabulous double-fiddle and energetic Celtic music based on Northern Maritimes tradition. July 21 brings back the tremendous musicianship of the Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, a group that has earned spontaneous standing ovations every time they play. The final concert on July 28 presents Rock-a-Billy Revue featuring leader Don Buck.
“I hear it over and over, people tell us that they look forward to the concerts each summer,” said Urbanski. “They know the concerts are fun each week, and that we offer high-quality performers that you don’t typically hear and see in our area.”
In addition to the Thursday evening concerts, the college will host one Monday evening concert by the Cloquet Community Band on Monday, July 11, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Each entertaining evening of music is designed for family fun and for people of all ages. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, or seat cushions to sit on. Beginning at approximately 6:15 p.m. each Thursday concert evening, the food truck specialists of Big Daddy Chicken will be selling tasty food items including hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, and mini-doughnuts.
Scheduled to appear during the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series 2016 are:
Thursday, July 7: Vicky Emerson & Sarah Morris
Two powerhouses of Americana music from Minneapolis are bringing it to Cloquet as part of their regional Highways & Heartstrings Tour! Vicky Emerson and Sarah Morris both wowed the audience in previous performances at the concert series, and combined this time will make for a special evening of music. Emerson’s music has always been steeped in blues, folk and traditional country, blended in her Americana trademark sound.
Sarah Morris captivates audiences with songs about the highs and lows of love. Her lyrics have unflinching honesty and poetic tenderness, yet are sung with strength and softness. Having spent several years honing her skills in Nashville, Sarah is now a regular in the Twin Cities music scene. Her country sensibility is enriched with her classical music roots producing a unique sound that, as she calls it, “is a little twang and a lot of heart.”
Thursday, July 14: McInnis’ Kitchen
McInnis’ Kitchen has become synonymous with the energy, spirited fun, and tradition experienced in any downhome kitchen party. Their repertoire is founded on the traditional Celtic music of Newfoundland, Ireland, Scotland, and the Canadian Maritimes. McInnis’ Kitchen combines the vocal talents of members Sue Spencer and Jim Ofsthun with the fiery double-fiddle style fiddlers Mark Monroe and Chuck Butler. They have performed twice before in the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series and were an audience favorite.
Thursday, July 21: The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra
They describe their music as a melting pot of genres elevated by riff magic, hummable melodies, and groovy jams often featuring poetic lyrics, and characterized by sophisticated dynamic and technical complexity requiring performers of considerable skill. Combined with fun-loving musicians who have a deep love of music, you get a bit of magic. It all culminates in an intensely energetic live performance that everyone will enjoy. They have performed twice before in our Hot Summer Nights Concert Series and received standing ovations, certainly a crowd favorite
Thursday, July 28: Rock-a-Billy Revue
This enduring group from Duluth is noted for providing popular hit music and crowd-pleasing fun. With the always-entertaining Don Buck leading the way, the show is full of surprises and good humor–and the group loves to perform here. This is their 18th consecutive summer concert performance at the college.
Monday, July 11: Cloquet Community Band
Cloquet-area residents play classic Sousa marches, Broadway show tunes, and familiar concert band music.
The Hot Summer Nights Concert Series 2016 is sponsored by Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. For more information, call 218-879-0800.

Vicky Emerson

McInnis’ Kitchen

Sarah Morris

Galactic Cowboy Orchestra

Rock-a-Billy Revue