JournalStar.com - Ground Zero Online

Concert series gives way to contemporary classics
by michael bruntz
Thursday, Jun 03, 2004 - 09:59:52 pm CDT

Julie Lattimer has only one problem heading into the fifth year of the Friday Nights Live concert series at SouthPointe Pavilions.

"If Ihad any one wish, it's that our center courtyard is bigger," the SouthPointe marketing director said.

The concert series began as a five-concert series that attracted a small, loyal following. Four years later, it has evolved into a popular 13-week series that fills the center courtyard every Friday evening during the summer.

This year's installment of the concert series kicks off tonight when the Fab-Tones take the stage at 6:30. Admission is free, but a $1 suggested donation benefits the Lincoln Action Program.

Again this year, a variety of musical styles will perform over the 13 weeks. This year's series will feature jazz, blues, country, a cappella, celtic and classic rock. It's not uncommon to see someone with dreadlocks sitting next to somebody in polyester.

"We're trying to expose people to a lot of different styles of music they don't have an opportunity to listen to in their lives," Lattimer said.

Fab-Tones bassist Jim Pipher played twice at the concert series last year, with a cajun band and the bluegrass band Toasted Ponies, which will play July 30 at SouthPointe.

The Fab-Tones, a five piece "horn band," will be playing rhythm and blues songs ranging from Otis Redding to Ray Charles.

Pipher said the outdoor, picnic-type setting was a welcome change for musicians accustomed to performing in bars.

"It's a picnic-and-music kind of deal, so it's kind of fun," Pipher said. "It's more about the scene. It's Friday, a summer evening outdoors. People seem to be accepting of a lot of different musical styles."

Again this year, Famous Dave's will be grilling outside during the concert, while Cold Stone Creamery also will be outside giving patrons a respite from the heat.

New this year will be a Labor Day concert. The Sept. 3 concert will feature two bands and is slated to run from 6 to 10 p.m. Interest from area bands prompted the bigger series-ending concert.

Lattimer's phone started ringing in January with bands looking to play during the series.

Many of the bands from last year are back, while new acts were brought on board to expand concert-goers' musical palates.

"We're working with new bands that haven't had a lot of exposure in Lincoln or are bands from Omaha," Lattimer said. "They're blending new sounds that people haven't heard before."

For the many who come with lawnchairs and dinner in hand, the evening is as much about a time to relax as the music.

"If we don't have any thunderstorms or tornadoes, it will be kind of fun," Pipher said. "A little breeze blowing and some tunes wafting through the air."

Lattimer said the series has a certain feel of sitting on your front porch, albeit in a courtyard between a movie theater and upscale shopping.

"People don't get a chance to show up in Birkenstocks and sit in lawn chairs very often," Lattimer said. "It's kind of this old-timey feel you don't often get."

Reach Michael Bruntz at 473-7254 or mbruntz@;journalstar.com

If you go

What: Friday Nights Live concert series

Where: SouthPointe Pavilions, 2910 Pine Lake Road

When: Fridays, tonight-Sept. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Admission: Free, though a $1 suggested donation will benefit local non-profit groups

Friday Nights Live schedule

Tonight - Fab-Tones, R&B

June 11 - Seven, blues/jazz/funk

June 18 - The Mac Five with Annette Murrell, pop/jazz

June 25 - Slyde Brothers, blues

July 2 - Hardwood Dash, '50s-'70s

July 9 - TunaFish Jones, Motown brass

July 16 - Soul Dog, funk/horns

July 23 - Ellis Island, Irish folk

July 30 - Toasted Ponies, bluegrass

Aug. 6 - City Limit Band, country

Aug. 13 - British Invasion, classic rock

Aug. 20 - No Better Cause, a cappella

Aug. 27 - Nine Live Cats, horns

Sept. 3 - The Resonators, blues; Southern Cross Band, country