Concert in the Park

The Riverside Concert Band, played a wonderful concert at the Rollings Park. The Concert in the Park was attended by an estimated 500 people including very young to the very old. The welcoming aroma of kettle corn wafted over the park as you walked up to the soccer field. The quality of musician ship and the variety of music was enjoyable to all those in attendance.

The first thing the early arrival saw was a couple of large towers of speakers and a sound tent. Most people made the correct assumption that the amplification was going to be loud. It was. To sit any closer to the band would have damaged ones hearing.

There is no need to amplify a band of that size, IF the audience is listening. Yes a microphone may be needed to address the audience, or for a singer or narrative. However, Speakers big enough for a rock band do not say, hey we want the community sing to be a community sing. Nor does it say to the audience, welcome to our concert, please show the band respect and DON'T TALK while they are playing.

The appeal for funds for Katrina survivors was inappropriately preachy and potentially offensive to persons whom are not only Christian. Yes, believe it or not there are persons who are in addition to being Christians are Members of Other Faiths, as Some Faiths do not Exclude Christ's Teachings in order to accept the additional Teachings of "Their" religion.

The apparent give and take the Brook and the City have going on should become an issue with the citizens. The Brooks use of the Rollings Park and the City's Collaboration with their events may be excluding other NPO's from having similar opportunities.

Many people were offended by this segment of the program and left, some saying they would donate to the Red Cross on line rather than give The Brook or The City the satisfaction of raising the money and getting some kind of public approval for their actions.

Several positive comments were heard as people walked to their cars. Including the Following: " I wish they could have this once a month, and the soccer Club Earns All the Money". "I wish there was a dance floor." and finely, "We could have sat closer if there weren't speakers."

The cost of renting the speakers, and not having the advertising may make it possible for a concert to be held more often. There are several Community Bands in our area, Riverside Citrus Band (a Swing Band), the Inland Empire's Main Street Community Band, (of San Bernardino Area), and bands in Ontario, not to mention our own High School and Jr. High School Bands. Their concerts could be held in the park for a family event rather than the Multipurpose room which is typically overcrowded for the event.

Some of these Community Bands don't charge to play, some do. It would be nice if such events were provided without running up the expenses by unnecessary items such as excessive amplification equipment rental. It would have been nice if the park had planned a multifunction including a band shell/stage as part of the design of the restrooms, or snack bar. Single purpose Parks aren't the best use of Public Funds.

Community Concerts may be a replacement activity for July 4th if you ask one of the above bands early enough. Hold the Fireworks, pass the watermelon, music, and even songs. Have the sports teams sell all the concessions and do the hosting of the event. If all sports teams were involved, more parents and siblings would also come.

Assistant City Manager Steve Berry and Council Member Lee Ann Garcia were the only members of City Management who's attendance was publicly noted. Citizens patrol, the Grand Terrace Foundation, and the Book Sale from the Library were also there. Burt S for School Board and his minions, passed out campaign flyers. (I wonder if he had a permit to distribute his materials?)

Press Enterprise a sponsor of the event, was peddling subscriptions for $20.00 a year. Do they have a business license in the city? Did the other vendors have a proper business license for the city?

The Funds for this event came from the Blue Mt. Villas, Developer and Landscape People, Press Enterprise provided LOTS of advertisement. The BROOK provided the sing along books, and singers.