Enjoying Live Music in the OC

For those who love music, the opportunities for enjoying live performances are seemingly endless throughout Orange County. From festivals to concert series, here are some places you can take in live music this month.

OC Funk Fest

For the third year in a row, Curious Entertainment will be bringing the OC Funk Fest to the OC Fair & Event Center. Taking place on June 10th, the event will feature S.O.S. Band, Zapp, Evelyn Champagne King, Lakeside and Chocolate Milk. A pre-party featuring music by Gap X Band and Stone City Band begins at noon while the show itself takes place from 3:00 to 10:00 pm. Food trucks and merchandise vendors will also be onsite. Admission to the event ranges from $20 to $40 while parking is $10. The OC Fair & Event Center is located at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

OC Night Market

The OC Night Market is returning to Orange County on June 16th. With the theme of LET’S PLAY Summer 2017, this year’s event will feature hundreds of food, arts, crafts and merchandise vendors as well as entertainment options. One of the biggest food festivals of the year, the event will take place from 4:00 pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 4:00 pm until 11:00 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5, while children 6 and under are free. $3 admission will be offered on Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Parking is $8.

Huntington Beach Concert Band Summer Concert Series 2017

The annual Summer Series sponsored by Huntington Beach Concert Band returns on June 25th. Celebrating its 44-year anniversary, the Huntington Beach Concert Band will offer 11 free concerts ever Sunday until September 3rd. Each concert features a different band with musical styles ranging from show tunes, to Latin Jazz, Dixieland, Big Band Music, Salsa and Swing. Some of the planned events include:

• June 25th: Patriotic Pastiche, a 75-piece brass, woodwind and percussion ensemble that will perform a variety of musical selections celebrating the United States of America.
• July 23rd: Huntington Beach Concert Band performs “Music from the Movies” featuring movie scores.
• August 20th: Huntington Beach Concert Band performs “Shall We Dance?” with professional dancers from the “Dance All You Can” studio

The July 30th, August 6th, August 20th, August 27th and September 3rd concerts will be preceded by 30 minutes of free Latin and / or Swing dance lesson starting at 4:15 pm.

The all-volunteer Huntington Beach Concert Band is one of the oldest and largest community bands in the county. Composed of professional and amateur musicians from around the region, the band has performed at a number of venues throughout the area. Among these are Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, Richard M. Nixon Library, Verizon Amphitheater and the Temecula Music Festival.

The Huntington Beach Concert Band’s Summer Concert Series takes place in the natural amphitheater of Huntington Beach Central Park behind Huntington Beach Central Library at 7111 Talbert Ave. at Goldenwest Street. Concerts begin at 5:00 pm and guests are invited to bring picnic dinners, beach chairs and blankets.