Saturday evening was a big night of sorts in downtown Centralia — ”Music in the Park” made its triumphant return to George Washington Park.
In the past various groups, such as the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce and other local radio stations have organized Centralia’s summer lawn concert series, while Chehalis’ summer series is organized privately. But I’m proud to say that this year, “Music in the Park” really “came home” so-to-speak, with the 2019 Centralia series being hosted and organized formally by the Centralia Downtown Association (CDA).
I suppose it’s worth noting that I have an interesting vantage point on all of this. Not only have I attended “Music in the Park” events in the past, I’ve also helped organize past years’ series and now have performed with my band, Prohibition Band, in both Centralia and Chehalis’ series.
And Saturday night, our band couldn’t have been prouder to open the 2019 Centralia series and the return of the public music series event. But let me tell you, from my perspective, what made Saturday’s event stand out so much to me.
Every single piece of the event was local. Once we arrived, Hub City Music and Provisions (formerly Yenny Music in downtown Centralia) was on-hand to handle our sound. When we needed more and longer cords, the owner walked the block to his shop and grabbed a couple more. Almost immediately, I realized that my bass amp was lacking a fuse needed to power on. Life Center Church — also on-site at the event as a food vendor — was “Johnny on the spot” with a spare amp that I (the bass player) could use for the evening.
Lee Coumbs, mayor of Centralia, and other members of the city council attended the event. Considering how many other events were happening in Lewis County on Saturday night — United Way’s “Chef’s Night Out,” Winlock Egg Days, graduation parties, etc. — it was impressive to see that support from councilors Rebecca Staebler, Joyce Barnes, and former mayor and councilor Bonnie Canaday.
Mayor Lee Coumbs also presented a bouquet of flowers to Maritza Lopez, a CDA volunteer, who was the reported “backbone” of making the 2019 concert series happen.
As the night went on, the crowd sang “don’t hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourself” (The Georgia Satellites) and clapped along to “The Authority Song.” I will say, as a band named “Prohibition,” singing some of those old good-time honky tonk, beer-drinkin’ musical standards in a public park while I was looking at a posted “NO ALCOHOL” sign was an interesting juxtaposition, just from a personal humorous standpoint.
You know, “Copperhead Road” is a song about cannabis in the end — but I’m pretty sure you can’t do that in the park, either. I’m certain the Centralia Police Department law enforcement volunteers on hand would have kindly reminded patrons of the rules.
But I say that because I really appreciate what the CDA is trying to do here. The first show of the season was a country, classic rock, rock kind of show — the next show in July will be a local jazz event featuring Dmitri Matheny (I’m totally going). And the final show in September will be geared towards our Hispanic community.
And, if you’re paying attention in Chehalis, inclusive and interesting shows are happening there, too.
It’s great to see these local series carving out their own “niche” styles, growing in their success, and finding ways to bring out different segments of the community throughout the summer.
One other city I want to point to again: Napavine. You’ve got a great and unique amphitheater in the heart of your community. You have a vibrant community and businesses that will support it (from what I personally hear). You have an engaged police force and willing volunteers. What in the world do we need to do to bring music back to Napavine in the summer?
I ask this as someone who has literally planned a Music in the Park event at the Napavine Amphitheater. It could be amazing. It could be incredible. And it can be done.
There is just simply no reason that each of these communities can’t all have a great summer series of varying levels of performances — dates can be coordinated, etc.
Our communities are showing a lot of life on the local music scene. There’s no better time to get back in on the action, Napavine.
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Brittany Voie is a columnist for The Chronicle. She lives south of Chehalis with her husband and two young sons. She welcomes correspondence from the community at voiedevelopment@comcast.net.
