Erik Ofgang, Contributing Writer
Published 03:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, 2011
This year's summer concert series at Ives Concert Park will feature iconic rock and soul groups with mega name recognition, including the Beach Boys, Earth Wind and Fire and Steely Dan.
"This year's lineup is incredible," he said, adding that last year more than 60,000 people came to the park, more than twice the amount of any other year.
A couple of concerts will be announced later, but these are confirmed:
Peter Frampton Comes Alive -- 35th Anniversary Tour, July 1.
Earth, Wind and Fire -- 40th Anniversary Tour, July 2
Steely Dan, July 25
Alison Krauss and Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas, July 27
The Beach Boys, Aug. 14
Phyllis Cortese, executive director of Ives Concert Park, said, "We're so excited to be bringing another season of exceptional, world-class performances to the Ives' stage." She added the season is made possible by the park's title sponsor, Union Savings Bank.
This year Ives also will host a Family and Fine Arts Series. Cortese said. Events will feature the Ives Festival Orchestra, Connecticut Ballet's 30th anniversary Summer Dance Caravan, Jazz Under the Stars, children's theater, the annual Irish Festival, an Ecuadorian festival, and the annual Family Fair -- a multicultural celebration of the arts.
In 2007 the Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts was formed to save the then- fledgling venue. In the four years since, attendance at the park has reached new heights. The park is on WestConn's westside campus in Danbury. It features an outdoor amphitheater on 40 wooded acres with a pond, gardens and public hiking trails.
Greenberg said with continued support from the community he hopes to enhance the facilities at Ives, ultimately building bathrooms and a covering for the seated portion of the concert area. He urged checking out the entertainment this summer.
"It's a staycation; you don't have to drive two-and-a-half hours each way and pay $100 for a meal, you can stay home, bring your beach chair and relax. Save gas, have a blast at the Ives," he said.
Visit www.ivesconcertpark.com, www.premierboxoffice.com or call 1-866-55-TICKETS.
