Capitola Twilight Concert Series

“If you want to visit with anyone who lives in Capitola, come to a Wednesday night concert, said Mike Termini, Capitola Chair of Arts and Cultural Commission.

For the past 32 years the city of Capitola has hosted the Twilight Concert Series right here in Esplanade Park.

“They are our crown jewel. We started with eight concerts, we’re now up to 13. What’s really amazing to me is they’re all sponsored, it’s revenue-neutral for the city so the money we receive from the sponsor pays for the band,” said Termini.

And for spectators, it doesn’t get much better.

“A free event…you just come here and watch music with the ocean in the background,” said Larry Laurent, Assitant to the City Manager of Capitola.

Every Wednesday during the summer, Esplanade Park becomes a concert venue, but things were different before the bandstand was put in 11 years ago.

“We set the bands up right up in this plaza here, and there was precious little room to dance. We built the bandstand, and bands love playing here. It is a great venue,” said Termini.

“Before the stage we’d play right on this concrete, and they’d put crime tape around us. Ha ha ha yeah,” said Phil Welty and Sam Nigh of the music group, The Digbeats.

The Digbeats have been a staple of the concert series for decades, and have become the closing act at the end of each season.

“We try and harass the people that are sitting around and not dancing and reminding them this is aerobic, you’re gonna lose weight, you’re gonna be a happier person. Get up and move around a little bit,” said Phil and Sam.

Booking The Digbeats is a sure thing every year, but the other 12 bands are trickier .

“We have a music selection committee that listens to up to 40 demo cd’s over the course of one night,”said Termini.

And thousands come out to see those bands every Wednesday, from the land and the sea.

“I think that last year someone came in on a paddle board, they were listening to it from out there and there were dolphins next to him, and they were listening in the ocean,” said Laurent.

The music, the venue, and the people all make this concert series something people will be coming back to.

“Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’ll talk to people, you’ll engage people, you’ll say I’m definitely coming back next week. Even if you drove over the hill it’s like I’m putting this on my calendar to do this,” said Ed Bottorff, Capitola Mayor.

“It’s truly small town America, perfect Americana kind of event,” said Termini.

For a list of all bands scheduled to play this year, click here:

http://www.cityofcapitola.org/acc/page/twilight-concerts-esplanade-park