Free concerts are held at Temple Plaza, Danville Illinois. Food is usually ready by 5:30pm, and the band begins at 6pm.
02/13/2025
In 1997, as Executive Director for Downtown Danville, Inc. my Board and I started a summer concert series. The idea was to have live music on a Friday night in Downtown Danville because..."Why not?"
The entire series began with a quartet from the Danville Symphony Orchestra thanks to the then Conductor and all-around cool cat, Jim Ball.
If I'm not mistaken, it was Gary Ludwig and Pat O'Shaughnessy and I drinking beers by ourselves in the dusty ruins of the then recently demolished Kresge Building thinking "This is great!"
Over the years, what came to be known as Summer Sounds, evolved into quite the series.
Also, over the years, I left and was asked to return and left and asked to return more than a few times.
It moved to Temple Plaza. It's been 8 shows, 6 shows, 10 shows, 14 shows.
The success of the Summer Concert Series was even written into our business plan at Vermilion River Beer Company....which is why, for the past two years, after DDI had made the decision to let it go, it fell on my partners and I to not only take it on but to also foot the bill. Yes, we had Sponsors. We've had very generous sponsors.
The City of Danville was a willing and gracious partner in helping this to happen as well.
Unfortunately, even with the help of these sponsors, the cost for my partners and I, after two years, is a bit... is too much for us to take on.
I've made the decision on behalf of Vermilion River Beer Company not to continue the financial commitment it takes for us to be the gap financier for this series.
Understand, WE aren't canceling anything directly. The series is up for grabs in a sense. In fact, we'd love to be a sponsor. Hell, we'd come out money ahead as a sponsor. I'd love to help organize, manage or even simply book for the series.
And, ultimately, if the series doesn't continue at Temple Plaza...we're probably going to make sure there is music downtown, just perhaps a change of venue.
Until a final decision is made, it's at least been an impressive 27 year run.
