Island of Black and White takes the stage the Thursday, Multi-musician Hometown Country Radio Show Friday
Historic Folsom roars into action this week with two big nights of live music at the Zittel Family Amphitheater both Thursday and Friday night this week, all of which preludes the 4th annual Hometown Parade on Saturday morning.
Thursday, it’s week four of the Historic Folsom Summer Concert Series with the popular Island of Black and White band taking the stage. Then on Friday night the stage comes to life with numerous talented musicians from both the local region and Nashville for the 2nd annual Folsom Hometown Country Radio Show.
Starting with Thursday night, Island of Black and White is always a crowd pleaser wherever they play. Being the Historic Folsom concerts that have taken place so far have been capacity crowds, Thursday night should be another strong night for the summer series.
A fusion of rock, funk, blues, folk and reggae, Island of Black and White emerged from the foothills of El Dorado County in 2004.As solid contributors to the local music scene in and around Sacramento for over a decade, the band has established itself as a soulful, musical powerhouse. Having played for the heaving crowd of thousands, their music has gained a substantial and loyal following.
Island of Black and White delivers high energy performances, playing a large variety of music, including originals and covers… and their energy is shared with the entire crowd. It is an experience, like no other.
Taking place at the Zittel Family Amphitheater in the heart of the Historic Folsom Plaza the Historic Folsom Summer Twilight Concert Series is free to the public, thanks to a number of generous sponsors which help fund the events. Sponsors for the 2023 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, Gaslight Company, SMUD and Folsom Times.
Thursday night the music begins at 7:30p.m. and concludes at 9:30 p.m. spectators are encouraged to bring their own low back lawn chairs for the event and small ice chests are welcome. But after the show, don’t put those lawn chairs away too fast because Friday night offers a very special night of music as well.
It’s the 2nd annual Hometown Country Radio Show, a free celebration of country music, which began as an experiment last year, proved so popular that local impresario Billy J. Walsh is bringing an updated rendition to the amphitheater behind Scott’s Seafood in Folsom’s historic district on Friday, at 7:30 p.m.
“It is a Grand Ole Opry-style show at the Zittel Family Amphitheater to celebrate the history of country music,” said Walsh, a Folsom resident who performs with his bands the Sky Kings and Rangers and works as a sound technician during the summer concert series at the amphitheater. “This is a multi-artist show featuring some of the best country musicians on the west coast.”
The stage will be shared by 16 musicians, including Walsh; locally-based Nashville recording artists Cynthia Renee and Michael Gregory; Aaron Gayden, who leads the annual Hometown Parade singing “America the Beautiful”; Michael Curtis, Jr.; Flying Eugene Flowers; Rich Gularte; Kevin Jachetta; Barbara Johnson; Giorgi Khokhobashvili; Danielle Walsh Mata; Sunny Mitchell; Jerry Verseput; John Voelz; Mark Wheeler; and Ian Worley. Folsom’s Ian Cornell will serve as guest emcee.
“We will perform a chronology of songs from classic country artists such as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams, through the country-pop era of Alabama, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and into the country-rock era of The Eagles, Poco and Linda Ronstadt before rejoining the current era with songs from Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris and Darius Rucker,” said Walsh. “Stellar musical performances combined with fantastic vocalists will provide an entertaining show unlike any other here in our hometown of Folsom.”
The event is free and family friendly. Walsh said guests are encouraged to arrive early, set-up low-back lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy dinner in the historic district before the show.
Parking is free in the Historic District Parking Garage at 905 Leidesdorff Street, which is right next to the concert venue for a dance across the walkway to grab your seat for some great entertainment.
Upcoming Historic Folsom Live Music schedule
June 22 – Island of Black and White
June 23 – Hometown Country Radio Show
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