Maybe you don’t remember Carmel Plaza’s music series of years past. The genre was smooth jazz and elevator music – perhaps suited to a serene shopping environment.
But things have changed. With the completion of the long-term renovation of the courtyard that followed the shopping center’s acquisition in 2012 by O’Connor Capital Partners, the stodgy music series also finds itself at the end of a transformation. Long gone is the smooth jazz, and in its place are consecutive Fridays throughout the summer of some of the area’s most popular party bands, like The Money Band, Red Beans and Rice, Everyday People and the Joy Bonner Band.
“The music series was a bit sleepy before,” the Plaza’s general manager Gayle Speare says, “so we wanted to retool it to be more interactive and to get people involved and up and dancing.”
To that end, each Friday offers not only uptempo dance music but also boasts a rotating pairing of small bites from popular restaurants like Fifi’s, Allegro and Grasing’s, along with pours from local wineries like Blair Estate, Scheid and Holman Ranch.
The change to dance groups was the brainchild of marketing manager Martha Torres, who allied herself with local John Kelley Productions to source the talent.
“The genesis of the music series becoming what it is now was Martha’s hiring,” Speare says. “She’s done a terrific job of booking the bands and running the event.”
This week (July 6), look for the Chicano All Stars paired with bites by Il Fornaio and pours from Hahn Family wines, followed July 13 by the Extra Large Band, 400° Gourmet Burgers and Wrath Wines. (A full schedule is available on the Plaza’s website.)
“While the summer music series has long been embraced by the local community, this year’s series seeks to kick off our newly renovated courtyard,” Speare adds. “The whole vibe of Carmel Plaza has changed. There’s a lot more energy and it’s a much more interesting place to be, eat, listen and shop.”
CARMEL PLAZA SUMMER MUSIC SERIES 5-7pm Fridays through Aug. 17. Carmel Plaza Courtyard, Ocean and Mission, Carmel. No cover; $15 food and beverage package. 624-0108, carmelplaza.com
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