Concert Series Heats Up Summer
Aug 14, 2024 12:17PM ● By Angela Underwood
DIXON, CA (MPG) - If you hear music from Pardi Plaza, it’s likely the Dixon Chamber of Commerce Summer Concert Series.
Dixon Chamber of Commerce President Shauna Manina has a history with music. Manina planned public concerts in Vacaville for nearly three decades before bringing bands into Dixon.
“I saw how it brought the community together,” Manina said of the concert series Dixon now celebrates every summer season. “I had this wild idea back in the fall of 2022 to do a concert series at our newly opened Pardi Plaza, which is kind of a crowning jewel of the city, and I approached the city about it and they liked the idea.”
So does the public.
Manina gave a glimpse into the series, saying crowds vary with the bands and temperature but no matter what, a good time plays out with the music.
Popular local band Strange Brew will return to Pardi Plaza to pump up the crowd with some of the most popular hits. Photo courtesy of Dixon Chamber of Commerce
“We will have families with little kids running around and moving to the music, and they love it,” Manina said of the families who bring blankets and picnic dinners. “We have middle-aged couples that just come and sit and hold hands, or sometimes they dance.”
Dixon public information officer Madeline Graf noted the three-year relationship with the Dixon Chamber of Commerce to bring music here.
“Concerts in the Plaza provide an opportunity for social connection and give the community a way to get outside and enjoy entertainment downtown,” Graf said.
That is the case, especially for one senior citizen who Manina recalls meeting.
“I walk the crowd during the concerts and I get to know a lot of the people and there was this one little old man in a motorized wheelchair who would come out to enjoy the music,” Manina said, adding they talked for a bit and he thanked her. “He said, ‘I feel so isolated and this gets me out among people.’”
The mingling among friends and neighbors varies like the music played, according to the Chamber of Commerce president, who has a 300-band list to choose from when creating the annual lineup.
“I correspond with the band and check out their music,” Manina said of the jazz, blues, classic rock and country artists. “If it’s something I think would be a good fit, then we negotiate.”
Bonanza King will perform on Aug. 15, after press time, followed by the Pub Kats on Sept. 5 and the Kindred Spirits on Sept. 19.
“The Pub Kats are incredible,” Manina said. “They will pack the house.”
The Pub Kats continue to draw a large crowd to Dixon, playing again this summer in Pardi Plaza on Sept. 5. Photo courtesy of Dixon Chamber of Commerce
The series caps off in October with a new singer, who will make her music debut in Dixon on Oct. 3.
“One thing I did differently this year, too, is I have a vocalist named Romana Viera, who does Portuguese and Latin jazz,” Manina said.
According to the chamber president, the fans are not the only ones feeling the good vibes.
“All of the bands seem to love playing here,” Manina said. “Every single one of them has expressed to me that they’d love to return.”
The chamber president and public information officer pointed out the sponsors who helped offset the series’ cost.
“For the first time, Kaiser Permanente came in as our grand sponsor,” Manina said. “All of our other sponsors see the importance of building community, coming together, and having a good time.”
Manina said investors are “truly invested in the quality of life here in Dixon” and Graf said, “We are grateful for this partnership and our sponsors for making this free event possible.”
Like any event, naysayers arise, according to Manina.
“We get criticized because we don’t offer alcohol,” Manina said. “It’s a city park and we cannot serve alcohol; however, several restaurants directly across the street serve alcohol and they can go over there, sit on the patio and listen to the music.”
Manina welcomes all residents to come out and enjoy the music at Pardi Plaza this season.
“It’s an opportunity to do something different here in Dixon,” Manina said.
The series caps off in October with a new singer, who
will make her music debut in Dixon on Oct. 3.
“One thing I did differently this year, too, is I have a vocalist named Romana Viera, who does Portuguese and Latin jazz,” Manina said.
Singer Romana Viera will make her music debut in Dixon on Oct. 3 at the Pardi Plaza during the Summer Concert Series 2024. Photo courtesy of Dixon Chamber of Commerce
According to the chamber president, the fans are not the only ones feeling the good vibes.
“All of the bands seem to love playing here,” Manina said. “Every single one of them has expressed to me that they’d love to return.”
The chamber president and public information officer pointed out the sponsors who helped offset the series’ cost.
“For the first time, Kaiser Permanente came in as our grand sponsor,” Manina said. “All of our other sponsors see the importance of building community, coming together, and having a good time.”
Manina said investors are “truly invested in the quality of life here in Dixon” and Graf said, “We are grateful for this partnership and our sponsors for making this free event possible.”
Like any event, naysayers arise, according to Manina.
“We get criticized because we don’t offer alcohol,” Manina said. “It’s a city park and we cannot serve alcohol; however, several restaurants directly across the street serve alcohol and they can go over there, sit on the patio and listen to the music.”
Manina welcomes all residents to come out and enjoy the music at Pardi Plaza this season.
“It’s an opportunity to do something different here in Dixon,” Manina said.
