May 1, 2025 3:40 a.m. 

In the KQEN Cultural Spotlight:

The Riverbend Live! summer concert series is returning for its 29th season of free outdoor performances in Winston, celebrating another summer of music, theater, and community.

This year’s lineup includes five Friday night performances spanning Blues, Americana, Cowboy Poetry and Western Music, Electro Swing, plus a full-scale youth theater production – all on stage at Riverbend Park.

The Riverbend Live! lineup will feature:

*July 4th: Southern Avenue. The Blues Music Award-winning, Grammy nominated Memphis based family band, plays original Memphis blues, modern soul and gospel-infused roots music.

*July 11th: Eilen Jewell. An Idaho native, Jewell built her career the old-fashioned way, touring relentlessly. Over the course of nine albums, she has crisscrossed the globe countless times, appearing with artists as diverse as Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples, George Jones and Emmylou Harris.

*July 18th: Cowboy Poetry and Western Music: Andy Nelson is an energetic and high-spirited cowboy poet and humorist offering the history, heritage and hilarity of the cowboy culture through traditional poetry and storytelling. Brenn Hill is a singer/songwriter with a career spanning twelve recordings of mostly self-penned music and over two decades on the road.

*July 25th and 26th. Seussical the Musical is a contemporary re-imaging of Dr. Seuss which weaves together many of his most famous stories and characters in unexpected ways. A cast of young people will be directed by Bart McHenry, assistant theater professor at Umpqua Community College.

*August 1st: Good Co. The 1920s will collide with the 2020s when the Seattle group takes the stage, bringing Electro Swing to life with infectious energy and vintage flair. This six-piece ensemble channels the spirit of Cab Calloway and the soundscape of Daft Punk into a danceable, genre-bending spectacle that’s equal parts retro and future.

Performances begin at 7:00 p.m. and run approximately two hours. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Outside food and picnic baskets are welcome. Food vendors will be available at all concerts. The Humble Lush will offer beverages at concerts but not during the youth theater performances. Pets and smoking are not allowed in the venue.

Complete information about Riverbend Live! is available at: https://riverbendlive.org/