The Long Beach Municipal Band Performs at the Marine Stadium Park in 2009. Photo by Harry Wiewel.
After another year of battling budget cuts and scrambling for corporate sponsors to fill financial gaps, the Long Beach Municipal Band—the longest-running such ensemble in the country—returns this week for a slightly shortened, but still spectacular 103rd season.
Despite having to reduce the number of free outdoor concerts it performs throughout the summer from 20 to 18, the Municipal Band will still present five weeks of themed works in various parks around the city.
“The old-fashioned concert in the park is one of the finest family entertainment experiences available,” said Conductor Larry Curtis, who has led the band for two decades. “Many who attend the concerts bring picnic dinners and blankets or lawn chairs. It’s a very festive atmosphere.”
A local tradition for more than a century, the Municipal Band concerts combine a talented array of symphony, studio and jazz performers with stellar vocalists to present a repertoire of music as diverse as Long Beach’s residents.
Two years ago, the fate of the Municipal Band was threatened when City budget cuts reduced its funding commitment by almost half. Residents and councilmembers came together to seek corporate sponsors and create an affiliate non-profit that would accept donations to keep the band in operation.
The 2012 Long Beach Municipal Band concert season is made possible in part with support from the Port of Long Beach, Long Beach Gas and Oil, the Long Beach Environmental Services Bureau, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, and Partners of Parks.
Long Beach Municipal Band 2012 Season
All concerts begin at 6:30 PM
Week 1—Theme: “We the People”
Thursday, July 5 Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
Friday, July 6 El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road and Willow Street
Week 2—Theme: “Musicals, American Style”
Tuesday, July 10 Whaley Park, 5620 Atherton.
Wednesday, July 11 Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Avenue
Thursdays, July 12 Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
Friday, July 13 El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road and Willow Street
Week 3—Theme: “Keeping the Beat Alive”
Tuesday, July 17 Bixby/Bluff Park, Ocean Blvd. between Junipero and Cherry Avenues
Wednesday, July 18 Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Ave.
Thursday, July 19 Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
Friday, July 20 El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road and Willow Street
Week 4—Theme: “Let Us Entertain You”
Tuesday, July 24 Bixby/Bluff Park, Ocean Blvd. between Junipero and Cherry Avenues
Wednesday, July 25 Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Avenue
Thursday, July 26 Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
Friday, July 27 El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road and Willow Street
Week 5—Theme: “A Latin Fantasy”
Tuesdays, July 31 Bixby/Bluff Park, Ocean Blvd. between Junipero and Cherry Avenues
Wednesday, August 1 Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Avenue
Thursday, August 2 Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way
Friday, August 3 El Dorado Park, Studebaker Road and Willow Street