Photo Courtesy of Southlands Shopping Center
O
rganizers at Southlands Shopping Center in Aurora look forward to the annual tradition as well, and invite several thousand of their closest friends to join them for summer festivities, including the Sounds of Southlands Concert Series and Movies on the Square. The center has been bringing communities together for nearly ten years with free summer activities, and this year is slated to be one of the best on record. “This has turned into such a great tradition,” said Joyce Rocha, Director of Marketing for Southlands. “It seems like ALL the people come out to enjoy the music. Then the little kids start dancing, and everyone follows. Watching the dancing is one of the best parts of my job.” The roster for the 2016 Sounds of Southlands is impressive, with nine acts performing throughout the summer, every Thursday at 6:00pm on the Town Square. With the wide variety of performers, there is literally a concert to suit everyone’s tastes. Tunisia kicks of the summer with the many styles of Motown, Disco and Jazz, just to name a few. Bring your flip-flops, straw hats and desire to dance as the Margarita Brothers adds a tropical flair to summer. Three concerts of nostalgia are slated, with The Long Run, Colorado’s Tribute to the Eagles, Under a Blood Red Sky, who will make everyone remember the joy of U2, and Message in a Bottle, paying tribute to the Police. Hazel Miller brings the Blues home, with a little Jazz and RB mixed in. Don your dancing shoes for Wash Park, who promises to deliver the hippest dance tunes from the 70’s to today. Cowboy boots recommended, but not required, for the hard country music of Kory Brunson. Chris Daniels and the Kings wrap up the Summer series with Blues, Funk, Rock and Swing. Of course there’s plenty to keep the little ones busy too, with Movies on the Square, animated movies screened each Wednesday at dusk from July 20 to August 10. Music, singing and activities begin at 7:00pm.
2016 Concert Schedule: JUNE 16: TUNISIA JUNE 23: MARGARITA BROTHERS JUNE 30: THE LONG RUN JULY 7: UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY JULY 14: HAZEL MILLER JULY 21: WASH PARK JULY 28: KORY BRUNSON BAND AUGUST 4: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE AUGUST 11: CHRIS DANIELS AND THE KINGS All events are “rain or shine,” and attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. Rocha recommends staking out a spot early, since some begin lining up in the early afternoon. There is ample parking around the square, although some streets are blocked off for the safety of those attending. There are also abundant handicap spaces available. There are dozens of eating establishments throughout the center and surrounding the square, ranging from sit-down dinners to grab-ngo, to desserts and snacks. “It is great we have the opportunity to sponsor these events through the summer,” said Rocha. “We love seeing everyone gather together, and it’s important to us to give back to the community.” Visit us online at: www.spotlightmagazine.net
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