The show is free and presented by the Springfield Arts Council.
“The band is really excited. We’ve been wanting to get back on that stage,” said Tony Powell, Animal Grace’s sole original member. “A lot of people have come up to me asking me when we may be getting back there.”
Powell, the band’s lead and rhythm guitarist, played solo sets the previous two years at the festival’s Live on the Terrace pre-concert shows.
Occasionally experimenting into other musical areas over the years, Animal Grace has stuck to its hard-rock guns.
“Everything comes back around,” said Powell.
Mixing covers of classic rock staples and original tunes from its four CDs will be in Saturday’s hourlong set. Animal Grace will also introduce a new song from some of the new material the band has been writing
Powell said the hardest thing about planning for the Arts Festival show is narrowing down its three to four hours worth of tunes into just one.
A guitar teacher in Springfield, Powell is pleased that some of his younger students who can’t see Animal Grace play in local bars can check out his live skills at the Arts Festival, as well as the chance to reach new fans.
While Animal Grace has gone through several incarnations over its nearly three decades, the current lineup, which also includes guitarist Mark Palmer, drummer Kenny Barnett and bassist Mike Neal, has been together for nearly 20. Don’t expect them to stop now.
“There’s a lot of good talent to showcase in Springfield,” Powell said. “We’re looking forward to rocking the Arts Festival.”
How to go
What: Animal Grace
Where: Turner Pavilion, Veteran's Park, Springfield
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 1
Admission: Free
More info: 937-324-2712 or www.SpringfieldArtsCouncil.org
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