A summertime music series wraps up Thursday with the style of music that most represents long, sunshine-filled days.
Rocker T, a reggae artist from Brooklyn, headlines the final Live at Lakeview show at the city of South Lake Tahoe’s Lakeview Commons. Weapon, a local band, opens the festivities at 4:30 p.m.
The third annual Thursday night series averaged 800 to 1,000 concertgoers, about 300 of whom came on bikes and used the free bike valet. Next year, car parking will be free, the result of a city ballot measure.
It was a successful state proposition that led to the creation of the granite amphitheater which faces Lake Tahoe and Cave Rock. Like the myriad kinds of music featured at Lakeview Commons, politicians of different affiliations were on hand at the park’s grand opening to take credit for the spectacular park at El Dorado Beach, and with an election coming soon they’ve been back lately, cognizant of the weekly community gathering place.
Many local bands have had an opportunity to open the concerts and share sounds for Tahoe residents, some who might not often attend nighttime shows. A South Lake Tahoe band, Lavish Green, headlined the July 3 event, which had the largest attendance. A popular yet relatively new North Shore group, Peter Joseph Burtt and the King Tide, opened the series with world soul and roots music.
Americana artist Randy McAllister traveled from Wyoming just to play a Live at Lakeview show, one that was almost rained out. A pattern of afternoon thunderstorms often threatened shows, but none were canceled.
Now the sun is setting on the series.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling as our third season of Live at Lakeview comes to an end, but it has been so heartwarming to see the community come together every Thursday this summer to enjoy great live music in a beautiful setting,” said Leslie Schultz, the promotions director for On Course Events. “That’s what the Tahoe lifestyle is all about. None of these memories we made over the summer would be possible without the overwhelming support from all of our event sponsors, partners, vendors and volunteers. We look forward to bringing the series back to our community again next summer.”
Tahoe Onstage was one of the sponsors. Footage from most of the performances can be viewed in the video category of this website.
Weapon will be onstage at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28. Rocker T’s performance starts around 6:15 p.m.
