Summer Arts Festival preview

6 weeks of fun begins on June 13.The series is 47 years strong.

Six weeks, 19 different shows, four special events and even Sundaes to top it off. Sounds like the Springfield Arts Council’s Summer Arts Festival.

This 47th year of the popular series will feature everything from parrotheads and flying monkeys to a cirque act and Russian folk to disco. It will combine returning favorite acts such as oldies act Phil Dirt and the Dozers, The Dark Star Orchestra and United States Air Force Band of Flight and new attractions such as Who’s Bad: Tribute to Michael Jackson, Night Fever: The Tribute to the Bee Gees and Cirque Zuma Zuma.

Performances are at Turner Pavilion in Veterans’ Park, 250 Cliff Park Road in Springfield.

Admission to all shows is free, but attendees can help keep the great entertainment coming when they pass the hat during intermission. There is a cost for certain pre-show events, which are noted.

Bring lawn chairs and blankets for free seating in the amphitheater, and there is limited free parking available, nonreserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Sandwiches, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase at concession stands.

Besides these events, the Summer Sundaes arts series will also offer five Sunday afternoon performances at the Springfield Center for the Arts at Wittenberg. (See related story for more information.)

All programs and artists are subject to change. Canceled performances cannot be rescheduled. Inclement weather may cause cancellations or delays on the night of a show.

For more information, call 324-2712 or go to www.SpringfieldArtsCouncil.org.

All shows are at 8 p.m. except where noted.

Week 1: June 13-16

June 13-15: Ribfest, 5 p.m. (Special festival event)

Thursday, June 13: Who’s Bad: Tribute to Michael Jackson

Friday, June 14: Phil Dirt and the Dozers

Saturday, June 15: The Motown Sounds of Touch

Sunday, June 16: Springfield Symphony Orchestra

Week 2: June 19-22

Wednesday, June 19: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Thursday, June 20: Urban Jazz Coalition

Friday, June 21: Parrothead Party in the Park, 5 p.m. (Special festival event)

Friday, June 21: Parrots of the Caribbean

Saturday, June 22: Night Fever: The Tribute to the Bee Gees

Week 3: June 27-30

Thursday, June 27, through Sunday, June 30: “The Wizard of Oz,” performed live onstage

Week 4: July 1-7

Monday, July 1: The United States Air Force Band of Flight

Tuesday, July 2: A Russian Folkfest with Moscow Nights and Golden Gates

Wednesday, July 3: Hotel California: The Original Tribute to the Eagles

Friday, July 5: Yesterday: The Beatles Tribute

Saturday, July 6: Cirque Zuma Zuma

Sunday, July 7: Festival Farmers Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Springfield Center for the Arts at Wittenberg (Special festival event)

Sunday, July 7: Susan Werner: The Hayseed Project

Week 5: July 8-13

Monday, July 8: The Dark Star Orchestra, 7 p.m. (Special time)

Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13: Sip of Summer Beer and Wine Tasting, 5 p.m. (Special festival event)

Friday, July 12: Griffin House

Saturday, July 13: Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago (a tribute to the band Chicago)

Week 6: July 17-20

Wednesday, July 17-Saturday, July 20: “Footloose: The Musical,” performed live onstage

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