![\"Bearcoon\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Bearcoon.jpg\")
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Bearcoon, one of three Long Beach bands to play the inaugural 1st Saturdays at Bixby Park. Photo courtesy of Bearcoon.<\/em><\/p>\n The community stage at Bixby Park, styled with its Spanish-revival architecture, has been sitting there, seemingly begging for music to grace its stage while largely being unused minus the local political gathering here and there. But shortly after the Tijuana Panthers opted to have a pop-up concert<\/a> there, the place will now be brewing with the sweet sounds of music every first Saturday of the month.<\/p>\n Largely backed by Friends of Bixby Park (FBP) while collaborating with Melissa Escalante, the series\u2014quite literal with its moniker of “1st Saturdays” and running August 2, September 6, October 4, and November 1\u2014will host local musical talent in the hope of activating the park\u2019s bandshell.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter I joined the board of FBP several months ago,\u201d said Eric Gray of FBP, \u201cone of my goals was to help activate the Historic Bixby Park Bandshell. This falls right in line with the goals we have at the Long Beach Music Council which is to raise awareness of our local musicians while activating Public spaces. The concept of 1st Saturdays Music at Bixby Park was the perfect fit. The event also could coincide with On Broadway Business Association’s efforts to further activate the street.\u201d<\/p>\n Holding a fundraiser on July 17 at The Sky Room, FBP scored enough monies to pay the musicians set to perform while also setting aside funds to help improve the infrastructure of Bixby Park. The park had been the subject of a series of meetings with urban designers and community leaders<\/a> that have ultimately led to hopes of re-visioning the green space.<\/p>\n The inaugural 1st Saturdays will host 40-minute sets from three Long Beach bands: Bearcoon<\/a>, the self-described \u201cHillbilly Mountain Blues Lumberjack Rock\u201d duo that is Solange Igoa and Andrea Walker<\/a>; Second Wind<\/a> (not to be confused with Cincinnati\u2019s brass-led band), the bluegrass quartet ; and Move<\/a>, the ever-shifting band who constantly seeks out new collaborations.<\/p>\n For more information in 1st Saturdays, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bixby Park is located on the corner of 1st and Junipero between Broadway and Ocean Ave. For more information visit http:\/\/friendsofbixbypark.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n