Summer fun at the Palmdale Amphitheater

Now in its 12th year, The Amp will kick off its summer concert series on Saturday, July 2, with a free “Freedom Symphony” concert performed by West Coast Classical Orchestra, followed by hip-hop divas Salt-N-Pepa with DJ Spinderella on July 9, country star LeAnn Rimes on July 23, Super Soul Saturday: A Party for the Decades featuring DJ Streak, Bump City and Stone Soul on July 30, and Get Jazzed at the Amp with Herbie Kae & Tony Capko, Gina Eckstine and The Adam Cohen Band on August 6.

Tickets for all the concerts are now on sale at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com. Tickets will also be available the day of each concert beginning at 4 p.m. on a cash-only basis.

“We are excited to announce that we are adding new elements to our summer lineup at The Amp to give our residents a wider variety of events and more opportunities for fun,” said Palmdale Recreation and Culture Director Keri Smith. “We’ve added a free concert, expanded the number of bands that will be onstage, created two new themed concerts and added free childrens activities at our Family Movie Nights.”

“In addition to what’s going on at The Amp, there’s a lot more fun coming to Palmdale this summer,” Smith added. “We’re hosting our inaugural Book Festival and ArtTown at Legacy Park on May 7, Sundown events at DryTown, Summer Classic Movie Suspense series at the Playhouse on Thursdays, a Flag Day Celebration and poem contest reveal at the Joe Davies Airpark, An Evening of Jazz at the Playhouse, numerous events at the Library celebrating summer reading, theatrical comedy with Cheaper by the Dozen at the Playhouse, and various art exhibits featuring local artists at Legacy Commons and the Playhouse. We’ve got something for everyone,” Smith said.

Saturday, July 2

The summer concert series begins on Saturday, July 2, with a “Freedom Symphony” by West Coast Classical Orchestra, performing songs that celebrate America. Gates will open at 5 p.m., and the concert will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Attendees may bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages, along with blankets, low back chairs and umbrellas. No fireworks, alcohol, pets or EZ-ups.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted to support future Independence Day celebrations at The Amp. Donations may be made at : www.cityofpalmdale.org/Your-City-Hall/Palmdale-Community-Foundation under Palmdale Amphitheater Concerts.

Saturday, July 9

Hip-hop legends and Grammy® award-winning group Salt-N-Pepa with DJ Spinderella will take the stage Saturday, July 9, at 8 p.m. As the first ever female rap crew, Salt-N-Pepa broke barriers and opened doors that were once closed to women in hip-hop. The duo rose to fame wtih hit songs like “Push It,” “Tramp,” “Shake Your Thang,” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.” Joining them will be DJ Spinderella on the turntables. Tickets start at $16 and are available at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available and include express entry and seating at the front of the stage. VIP seating is theater style (first-come, first-served).

Saturday, July 23

Country star LeAnn Rimes takes the Amphitheater stage on Saturday, July 23, at 8 p.m. Rimes has had 42 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 13 of which are top-10 hits. She has scored numerous hit singles in her career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” which went #1 in 11 countries, and “How Do I Live,” which is the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. With more than 44 million albums sold, two Grammy® Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards, Rimes is also the youngest recipient ever of a Grammy® Award, and the first country recording artist to win in the “Best New Artist” category. Tickets start at $20 and are available at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available.

Saturday, July 30

The Palmdale Amphitheater will present Super Soul Saturday: A Party for the Decades on Saturday, July 30, from 5 to 10 p.m. The lineup features DJ Streak, Bump City and Stone Soul.

Regarded as one of the fastest DJs to scratch, DJ Streak travels and performs across the globe. “Booty-shaking party music” best sums up Bump City. Rooted in improvisation, these all-star musicians, led by drummer Tony Capko, have built an enthusiastic vibe on a long-standing musical tradition that dates back to the legends of funk, soul and blues. Stone Soul’s spot-on renditions of timeless hits from legendary artists have brought them recognition as one of the best Classic Soul and Motown bands working today. Their talents have been called upon to support Stevie Wonder, The O’Jays, Diana Ross and BB King. Tickets for “Super Soul Saturday” start at $8 and are available at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available.

Saturday, Aug. 6

Wrapping up the concert series will be “Get Jazzed at The Amp” on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 10 p.m., with Herbie Kae & Tony Capko, Gina Eckstine and The Adam Cohen Band. After backing major artists most of their careers, Herbie Kae and Tony Capko have joined forces to blend their musical talents. The group will showcase selections from their latest release, Drive Time, including traditional jazz, smooth jazz, funk and R&B. The daughter of legendary jazz singer Billy Eckstine and model/actress Carolle Drake, Gina Eckstine has traveled the world opening for Count Basie, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bill Cosby. Adam Cohen’s prowess on both the acoustic and 6-string electric bass has found him sharing the stage with the likes of Ray Charles, The New York Voices, Taylor Dayne, Ernie Watts,and Tim Weisberg. Cohen’s talent is showcased on his latest release, Ritual. Tickets to “Get Jazzed at The Amp” start at $8 and are available at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available.

Family Movie Nights

Friday nights at The Amp are “Family Movie Nights,” with four blockbusters on tap: Tangled on July 15; Star Wars: The Force Awakens on July 29; Avengers: Age of Ultron on Aug. 5; and Minions on Aug. 12.

Admission is $4. Kids 12 and under are admitted free. Gates open 6 p.m. and the movies begin at dusk. Each movie will feature free kids activities from 6 to 8 p.m., while supplies last. Costumes, impromptu dance parties and parades are encouraged at all Family Movie Nights.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages in coolers are welcome at Family Movie Night events, and snack vendors will be on-site. All bags and coolers will be inspected at the gate. Alcohol and pets are not allowed. Attendees may bring a lawn chair or blanket. Children 12 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information on the concert series and Family Movie Nights, visit www.palmdaleamphitheater.com or call 661-267-5611.

[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]

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