City Set to Kick Off Free Park Concerts

Several Los Angeles-area bands will perform free outdoor park concerts throughout August.

Sponsored by the city of San Fernando, the fourth annual Summer Concert Series at San Fernando Recreation Park starts Sunday with a performance by Johnny Alonzo and the Playboys, an oldies group, followed by the Aug. 9 appearance of Maria Fatal, a rock en Espanol band.

“We encourage people just to come and relax,” said Virginia Diediker, a coordinator at the Recreation and Community Services Department. “A lot of them bring picnics.”

When the series began in 1995, it was hardly the monthlong event it has become, said Diediker, “We just had two groups.”

As the number of musicians involved increased, the crowds grew, Diediker said.

She said as many as 2,000 people turn out for performances by the most popular of the various groups.

A particular favorite, Diediker said, is Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, which returns to Los Angeles from a recording session in Mexico with that country’s national philharmonic days before its San Fernando appearance Aug. 16.

The Blue Rhythm Jazz Orchestra--a big band, swing group--will perform Aug. 23, followed on Aug. 30 by the Susie Hansen Latin Band, which plays a repertoire ranging from salsa music to traditional Jewish and Irish songs and country music.

Each concert starts at 6 p.m. The park is at 208 Park Ave.

For more information, call (818) 898-1290.