Southern Illinois University Carbondale announced on Apr. 17 that the 47th annual Sunset Concert Series will begin June 11, offering six weeks of free outdoor musical performances at various locations in Carbondale.
The concert series is a longstanding tradition that provides diverse music entertainment for people of all ages. This year, concerts will rotate between the Shryock Auditorium lawn, Turley Park, and a new venue called the New Era Events Plaza in downtown Carbondale. The events are scheduled for Thursday evenings through July 23, except for July 2.
Tena Bennett, assistant vice chancellor for auxiliary enterprises and student affairs at SIU, said: “We have some great new and different talent this year and I’m really excited about this lineup. SIU is pleased to again partner with the City of Carbondale and the Carbondale Park District to present entertaining summer nights enjoyable for everyone.”
Each concert starts at 7 p.m. and lasts about two hours. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets; food and drinks can be brought or purchased from vendors on site. The schedule includes performances by Shane Guerrette (Americana/roots-rock/modern indie), Shawn Holt and the Teardrops (blues), The Way Down Wanderers (alternative Americana), Funky Butt Brass Band (brass/funk/soul), Goldpine (Americana), and Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers (zydeco).
Rules are in place to keep events safe: glass bottles, kegs, smoking, grilling, solicitation, and underage drinking are not allowed; only single-serve containers may be brought; pets must be leashed.
SIU’s Office of Student Engagement and Student Affairs organizes these concerts with support from the City of Carbondale and the Carbondale Park District. Organizers say additional sponsors are welcome.
