Park Rhythms brings another summer of music to Veterans Park

Free concert series set for June return

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 21, 2023

Lizzie No, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, was one of eight artists featured last year in Park Rhythms. The free summer concert series, presented by the Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department, returns, June 29, with a brand new lineup. Photo by Fred McCormick

Music and the aroma of local food trucks will once again fill the air around Veterans Park this summer, as Park Rhythms returns for its 27th year with a new lineup of artists from across the country.

The free outdoor concert series, presented by the Town of Black Mountain Recreation and Parks Department and sponsored by an array of local businesses, kicks off at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 29, with a performance by Charlie Martin, of the Austin, Texas-based duo, Hovvdy and New Orleans country and indie rock band, Fishplate. Dinner will be available through guest vendor, Dirty Gertie’s Taco Stand.

The eight-week 2023 concert schedule will bring a variety of “super talented” artists to the stage every Thursday evening through Aug. 17, according to Recreation Coordinator Clint Bowman, who has been organizing the event since 2021.

“Just like previous years, it’s a diverse lineup, and I’m not aware of any of these artists having played Park Rhythms before,” he said. “We have artists coming from Austin, New Orleans and Durham, as well as familiar names from Asheville, Weaverville and right here in Black Mountain.”

The roster of performers includes former Carolina Chocolate Drops member Hubby Jenkins and folk-influenced indie rock singer-songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield, who has collaborated with artists ranging from the Black Keys to the Avett Brothers. Twain, a project headed by Virginia-based multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Mat Davidson, will take the stage with Austin artist Natalie Jane Hill.

Pittsboro singer Jake Xerxes Fussell, known for his unique twist on old folk tunes, will make one of two N.C. stops on his summer tour with his Park Rhythms show, while Thomas Dollbaum brings his Tampa, Florida-influenced sound to the lineup in August.

“I love these artists,” Bowman said. “When we set out to put together a lineup for this series we aim high, and lot of these artists are well-known. It will be fun to see performances by artists who may not otherwise come to Black Mountain, specifically.”

Other 2023 Park Rhythm performers, such as Asheville native Leeda “Lyric” Jones, who began her musical career busking on the streets of her hometown, bring local flavor to the series.

“Ashley Heath, who is also a familiar voice in Black Mountain, will close out the season in August,” Bowman said. “So, we really focused on bringing together a really cool mix of artists the audience will enjoy.”

Veterans Park, which is hosting the series for the third year, offers a relaxing family-friendly environment for the shows, he continued.

Black Mountain will host its annual summer outdoor concert series, Park Rhythms, at Veterans Park, every Thursday, beginning June 29 through Aug. 17. Photo by Fred McCormick

“There’s plenty of parking, which was a challenge at previous Park Rhythms locations, and you can big in from The Oaks trail, which we encourage people to do,” Bowman said. “We hold the concerts on the baseball field closest to the playground, so the outfield grass allows people to bring chairs and spread out while their children play close by. It’s a great venue for this.”

In addition, the setting provides ample space to host a rotating cast of food trucks, which will include Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, Master BBQ AVL and three Dirty Gertie’s appearances. The event is sponsored by Pisgah AVL, Mark Kleive DDS, Cup of Jomo, Dough House, LEAF Global Arts, Greybeard Realty, Four Sisters Bakery, The Red Radish, Acoustic Corner and Sarah Sunshine Pottery.

“We’re thankful to this year’s sponsors, who cover the costs of staging, sound and paying the artists,” Bowman said. “Because of them we can keep this a free event, and we’re really looking forward to brining the community another summer of Park Rhythms."