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If there’s a message left on music goers in attendance at Sunday’s Concert in the Park, hosted by the City of South Pasadena, it’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.
They won’t stop believing that ‘Escape: The Journey Tribute,’ is a real crowd pleaser and sounds like the real thing.
Those not on the dance floor were swaying, some mouthing the words to Journey hits that made the band, formed in San Francisco in 1973, famous. “Who’s Crying Now,” “Separate Ways” and “Faithfully” were all among the hits of the day performed Sunday night.
Journey, the group made famous, continues to tour today, but as tribute bands go, ‘Escape’ recaptured the thrill generations of original fans remember as they opened the summer series with a Father’s Day special. Like the real performing band itself, ‘Escape’ came to South Pasadena with five top musicians. The group has performed live in nearly every state in the nation.
Keeping an eye on all the excitement was Anthony Kim, the City of South Pasadena’s community services coordinator. “This is a fun, energetic night to spend with your friends and family,” he said. “It’s activity for them to come out on a cool night.”
It was “cool” both figuratively and literally. Many listening to the music were bundled up during the late spring night as summer doesn’t officially begin until Friday. And, well, a lot of those watching would likely say the band was “cool” to witness, as the sounds took them back to an era gone by.
In the crowd, noted Kim, were “regulars,” – South Pasadena residents who have been attending the concerts for years along with a large number of visitors to the city. Council members from other communities have been known to occasionally attend.
Eric Rhodes drove all the way from the Semi Valley to be a part of Sunday’s sounds in Garfield Park. “I think the band is awesome and it’s a very good venue,” he noted. “It’s a nice place. It’s very clean.”
Crowds range, according to Kim, from around the 800 to 1,000 people in attendance. About 1,300 came to see “The Answer” perform rock during a 2018 concert. Kim said Sunday being Father’s Day kept the size of the audience slightly down.
Brian Dooey of South Pasadena insists “It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially with the kids being out of school [for the summer] and we don’t have to worry about school the next day. It’s great to listen to some classic rock.”
Organized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission and presented by the City of South Pasadena, the free concerts, which receive strong community sponsorship support, have been a summer ritual for the past 20 years.
Grab a couple of beach chairs, a blanket or two, a picnic-style dinner and enjoy the two-hour concerts on Sunday nights at 6 p.m. in South Pasadena.
“We want to see you out here!” said Kim.
FUTURE SCHEDULE
Sunday, June 30, 2019 | Louie Cruz Beltran (Latin Jazz)
Sunday, July 14, 2019 | The Wiseguys Big Band Machine
Sunday, July 28, 2019 | The Kings of 88 (Classic Piano Rock)
Sunday, August 11, 2019 | Blue Breeze Band (R&B/Funk)
