Summer Tradition returns as Festival Fridays™ heats up in July

All Concerts 6:30 - 9:30 pm, Gates Open at 6pm Jackson Sculpture Garden

Starting July 11, celebrate the end of week with Festival Fridays! For five consecutive Fridays, enjoy great music, spirits and fun from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (gates open at 6pm.) in the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center's Jackson Sculpture Garden. That's right ...the sculpture garden.

For the first time, all Festival Fridays concerts will be held in the beauty and comfort of the sculpture garden among the colorful landscaping and lovely fountains. The bands will play at the bottom of the grand staircase where there will be plenty of room for dancing. Tables and chairs will also be about for people to use. After those are taken (be sure to come early to get one), there will be plenty of room to gather with friends or even sit on the grass in cool comfort.

Summer 2003's line-up is once again outstanding and varied with some familiar faces as well as some new entertainment thanks to the generous support of festival's sponsors KOAA-TV Channels 5 & 30 and The Pueblo Chieftain.

The season kicks off on July 11 with the hot and spicy Tejano sounds of Nuestra Familia. With quite a following, this talented core of musicians specializes in great Tejano music but also incorporates many different styles form Country to Jazz. The group has performed in the Colorado State  Fair Fiesta Day Parade and at the state fairgrounds in Pueblo at which they received the honors of "Best Mexican Band". From Greeley, Colo., the group has been performing at venues around the state for the last nine years. After finishing their first CD, the eight member-band (and growing) will attract a large, fun crowd.

New to the summer series will be The Martini Shot Band playing a combination of rock and jazz on July 18. This youthful group made its first appearance at Festival Fridays during the winter series and had a great reception. The band's performance can only be described as being like a human jukebox with the ability to play virtually any song requested from the audience, as well as highlighting their impressive originals. The covers that The Martini Shot play include unique inflections that make the band stand alone. Enjoy an array of hits by Van Morrison, Uncle Kracker, Pink Floyd, Bare Naked Ladies, Dave Matthew Band, Garth Brooks and more. From their personal repertoire of progressive rock, Martini Shot incorporates guitars, drums and lively singing with a  more traditional jazz keyboard, saxophone and trumpet accompaniment. It will be a hot night for a hot new band.

The popular Denver fusion quartet, DOTSERO, will once again return for the summer series on July 25, with their cool tunes to beat the heat. Tot he Ute Indians, Dotsero means "something unique." For jazz enthusiasts, Dotsero means one of the hottest contemporary jazz ensembles on today's music scene. Combining jazz, pop, R&B and rock, the veteran contemporary jazz outfit will perform its catchy, appealing sound and style completely their own. The Arts Center considers Dotsero its official Festival Fridays "house band" because of its longevity with the concert series. Expect patriotic surprise to top off the evening.

Also new to Festival Fridays is the popular Esperanza who will take the stage on Aug. 1. Formed by Daniel Cordova in 1994, Esperanza's hot Tex-Mex has been a crowd-pleaser throughout southern Colorado. Currently playing radio stations throughout the region, the group has recorded five CD's and has received six nominations and a Cumbia of the Year Award a the New Mexico Hispano Music Awards in Albuquerque. The band has also won the "Battle of the Bands" at the Colorado State Fair. Cordova, himself, has made guest appearances on TV's Univision and Telemundo. With it high energy, Esperanza's live performance will have everyone on their feet dancing.

To finish the concert series in style, Wallace Cotton & The Royals will return on Aug. 8. A local favorite that puts the "fun" back into funky, Wallace Cotton has been playing in the Southern Colorado region since 1992. Their James Brown-style rocks with classic favorites, soul and some great R&B. Audience-focused, this Pueblo party band sings with its trademark "smokin' saxophone" played by Rob Smith. It will be non-stop FUN!

Enjoy food, fun, great music... and not to mention spirits...each week surrounded by the beautiful architecture of the Arts Centers Jackson Sculpture Garden, paseo and fountains. Admission is $4 in advance or $5 at the gate. Tickets are available at the Arts Center Box Office, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave., just off I-25 exit 98b, or feel free to order by calling (719) 295-7222.

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