It was pretty much standing room only at the Zittel Family Amphitheatre in Historic Folsom Thursday evening, and most who were standing were dancing the night away at the opening of the 2023 Historic Folsom Summer Twilight Concert Series.
See highlights from Thursday’s opening concert in Historic Folsom featuring The Wayside
When it comes to the live music season at the stage in the heart of Folsom’s Historic District, it’s a story that mimics the classic phrase form the movie Field of Dreams, “if you build it, they will come.”
Over the last two years, the Folsom Historic District Association has continued to put great energy into this annual concert series, bringing to the level of popularity it is at today. Several in Folsom have referred to the Historic District venue as one of the best live music destinations in the area.
Thursday night was the first of 14-consecutive weeks of concerts to take place in the series. As it goes into August, the series brings visitors to the Historic District where they can wine, dine and patronize the businesses in the district. While it entertains a great deal of locals each week, the series also attracts visitors from outside of the area who get a glimpse of what Historic Folsom has to offer and are likely to return for future events or just to shop or enjoy a bite to eat.
“This concert series started last night with an amazing turnout. As a business owner we are always amazed and appreciative of how many people these events bring to our district, said Jim Metzker, co-owner of Dorothea’s Shoppe on Sutter Street. “Thursday nights are once again vibrant and fun in the Historic District.”
The Wayside, a local band made up of members that have long been a part of the Folsom community, provided the entertainment Thursday night. The band that plays a variety of genre’s started the evening off with a collection of mellow hits, then brought the energy up as the sun set to get the crowd dancing their socks off. The band themselves even entertained the energetic crowd with their own dance moves on stage.
“We love Folsom, we’re from Folsom, we’ve raised kids here and it’s really special to perform here,” the band said as they took the stage. The Wayside is one of the frequent acts you can find at The Gaslight Company on Sutter Street. The Gaslight Company is one of several sponsors of the concert series that make the events free to the public each week.
“It takes a great deal of hard work and expenses to put these great shows on each week,” said Ian Cornell, emcee for Thursday’s event. “It’s thanks to a number of great sponsors that make it all possible for the FHDA to bring these shows here.”
In addition to Gaslight, sponsors of the 2023 series include Historic Folsom Station, the Folsom Historic District Association, Snook’s Chocolate Factory, Ruby’s Books, Shoop’s Photography, J. Wild’s Burgers and BBQ, Folsom Times and the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD).
The second week of the Twilight Concert Series will bring Dirty Cello on June 8 to that stage. The Cynthia Renee Band returns June 15 followed by The Island of Black and White on June 22. Hipnosis closes out the month on June 29.
Historic Folsom Summer Twilight Concert Series Schedule
June 1 – The Wayside
June 8 – Dirty Cello
June 15 – Cynthia Renee Band
June 22 – Island of Black and White
June 29 – Hipnosis
July 6 – The Golden Cadillacs
July 13 – FBI
July 20 – Old Mule
July 27 – AKA Band
August 3 – Jax Hammer
August 10 – Tom Rigney and Flambeau
August 17 – APPLE Z
August 24 – Bear Whiskey
August 31 – Two Step
