BlackRock Announces 2018 Outdoor Summer Concert Series

GERMANTOWN, MD — BlackRock Center for the Arts has officially announced their annual Summer Concert Series line up on their outdoor stage. Shows are free and will be held for five consecutive Saturdays at 7 pm beginning June 30.

New this summer: a variety of food trucks, and an exclusive Beer and Wine Garden for guests over 21. Family-friendly activities such as face painting, henna art, and caricature portraits will take place during the Family Fun Festival on July 28 starting at 5 pm and will include performances and workshops for kids by Culkin School of Irish Dance and an opening act by MacMillan Pipe Band.

BlackRock’s Concert Series celebrates Montgomery County’s diverse population with an array of music including Irish Rock, Reggae, Salsa and Soul. The summer concert series showcases a distinctly diverse array of musical offerings that Blackrock Center for the Arts will present throughout the year.

All Summer Concerts will be performed on the BlackRock front lawn, weather permitting - picnic blankets and low-back chairs will be allowed. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will move inside to the BlackRock Mainstage. More information can be found on the BlackRock website.

Saturday, June 30 | Soul Crackers | Soul Music
Formed in 1982, the SOUL Crackers were a full time performing powerhouse on the East Coast bar circuit for many years. Headlining shows such as the Adams Morgan Day Festival and clubs like the Bayou and the Wax Museum led to a command performance at the White House in 1994. They have played every type of function possible and specialize in parties, anniversaries, corporate events, weddings and festivals. Soul Crackers has two recent recordings Soul Crackers, 30 Years of Soul Parts 1 and 2.

The legend lives on with Britishmania the World’s Best Beatles Tribute Band. With mind blowing performances, and true to era attire, Britishmania recreates the Beatles revolution that changed the world. This legendary foursome delivers note for note theatrical performances that will take you back in time. Experience the worlds’ most iconic band today

Jamaican sensation Lenny Kurlou has captivated audiences with his sultry, sexy voice. Born in Kingston, he began singing early in life, starting his career on dancehall sound systems then later joining many different bands. He has over 15 years of experience.

Not your everyday salsero, Marlow Rosado is a producer, composer, and pianist who incorporates elements of rock, hip-hop, reggaeton, and bachata into his salsa recordings and performances. After moving to Florida to earn a master’s degree in jazz education, Rosado began to share his love of music as a teacher while moonlighting conducting orchestras, producing recordings, and writing arrangements. A gig singing for Desmond Child — Songwriting Hall of Fame inductee and frequent associate of Aerosmith and Bon Jovi — led to work with Ricky Martin and Alejandra Guzmán. Rosado’s second solo album, Retro earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Tropical Latin Album.

Martin O’Malley has brought together a band of diverse musicians-- some born and raised in the traditions of Irish music, some classically trained, some life-long students of blues, rock, jazz. Jared Denhard, Jim Eagan, Pete Miller, Ralph Reinoldi, Jamie Wilson and Martin O’Malley are O’Malley’s March. You could call it Celtic Rock- but it is so much more. This band has refused to stand in one place and simply play the usual fare. Mixing the hauntingly beautiful, soulful and rousing music of Irish tradition with the music that was created out of the Irish Diaspora with original songs by Martin O’Malley, they continue to grow, listen, go beyond what they know, to share their intimate connection with the music they have written and the music that has written them.

Ride Metrorail to Shady Grove Station (Red Line) and transfer to Ride On Bus Route 100 (15-minute Express Bus Service from Metro Shady Grove Station to the Germantown Transit Center [GTC] on Aircraft Drive). From GTC, walk four blocks following Century Boulevard to our front door, or transfer to Ride On Bus Route 97 which stops in front of BlackRock. Check schedules by calling 240-777-7433 or visiting: www.rideonbus.com and www.metroopensdoors.com.

(Image via Shutterstock)