Heaping Helping of Summer Jams

I’m delighted to help with your summer plans and share that our Music Preserves Summer Jams concert series at Ocean Institute returns for three unique Friday nights, on July 7, July 21 and Aug. 4.

The bands will be interviewed onstage prior to their performances, discussing the cultural history of their genres of music. Tickets are $35 and available at oceaninstitute.org.

Thank you to Ohana Festival and City of Dana Point as “Gold Record” sponsors, and Clean Juice and Board Supervisor Katrina Foley as “Hit Single” sponsors. We couldn’t do it without the support of our wonderful community.

Attending these shows supports two local nonprofits with educational missions. The evening will include a compelling, intimate interview of the artists, phenomenal musical performances, and just flat-out fun.

Delahunt Brewing and Station Craft are our local beer sponsors for Summer Jams. Wine and other beverages will also be available for purchase, and food trucks will be on-site.

Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat kick it off on Friday July 7, with a tasty mix of early rock and roll, R&B and Soul. Hailed as “The Rhythm and Blues Queen of Southern California,” Tafoya delivers otherworldly vocals that will leave you with your jaw on the floor and wiping tears from your eyes.

Vicki even recorded with Bruno Mars earlier this year! The band is in the red-hot Penrose Records stable of artists, which also includes Thee Sacred Souls, who will perform at Ohana Festival this year.

On July 21, Kareeta will bring their swampy country and Americana to Summer Jams, and Sage Escalante will open the show.

In a cool side note, Sage actually participated in Music Preserves’ backstage experience a few years ago. The inspirational