City of Palmdale Announces Summer Fun at the Palmdale Amphitheater

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PALMDALE – The City of Palmdale has announced the lineup for its summer concert series and Family Movie Nights at the Palmdale Amphitheater (The Amp).

City of Palmdale Announces Summer Fun at the Palmdale Amphitheater Salt N Pepa with DJ Spinderella, LeAnn Rimes to Headline Concert Series; West Coast Classical to Present Freedom Symphony July 2;

Family Movie Nights to Feature Four Blockbusters

Now in its 12th year, The Amp will kick off its summer concert series on Saturday, July 2 with a free “Freedom Symphony” concert performed by West Coast Classical Orchestra, followed by hip-hop divas Salt-N-Pepa with DJ Spinderella on July 9, country star LeAnn Rimes on July 23, Super Soul Saturday: A Party for the Decades featuring DJ Streak, Bump City and Stone Soul on July 30 and Get Jazzed at the Amp with Herbie Kaye & Tony Capko, Gina Eckstine and The Adam Cohen Band on August 6.

“We are excited to announce that we are adding new elements to our summer lineup at The Amp to give our residents a wider variety of events and more opportunities for fun,” said Palmdale Recreation and Culture Director Keri Smith. “We’ve added a free concert, expanded the number of bands that will be onstage, created two new themed concerts and added free childrens activities at our Family Movie Nights.”

“In addition to what’s going on at The Amp, there’s a lot more fun coming to Palmdale this summer,” Smith added. “We’re hosting our inaugural Book Festival and ArtTown at Legacy Park on May 7, Sundown events at DryTown, Summer Classic Movie Suspense series at the Playhouse on Thursdays, a Flag Day Celebration and poem contest reveal at the Joe Davies Airpark, An Evening of Jazz at the Playhouse, numerous events at the Library celebrating summer reading, theatrical comedy with Cheaper by the Dozen at the Playhouse, and various art exhibits featuring local artists at Legacy Commons and the Playhouse. We’ve got something for everyone!” Smith said.

The summer concert series begins on Saturday, July 2 with a “Freedom Symphony” by West Coast Classical Orchestra performing songs that celebrate America. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted to support future Independence Day celebrations at The Amp. Donations may be made at :

www.cityofpalmdale.org/Your-City-Hall/Palmdale-Community-Foundation under Palmdale Amphitheater Concerts. Gates will open at 5 pm and the concert will be held from 6:30 to 8 pm. Attendees may bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages with them, along with blankets, low back chairs and umbrella. No fireworks, alcohol, pets or EZ-ups.

The following Saturday, June 9, will feature hip-hop legends and Grammy® award-winning Salt-N-Pepa with DJ Spinderella at 8 pm. As the first ever female rap crew, Salt-N-Pepa, broke barriers and opened doors that were once closed to women in hip-hop. With the hit songs “Push It,” “Tramp,” “Shake Your Thang,” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man,” Salt-N-Pepa defied expectations and catapulted hip-hop to new levels. Joining them will be DJ Spinderella who will spin her turntables for a hot party show.

Tickets are available at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com and start at $16. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available. VIP tickets include express entry and seating at the front of the stage. VIP seating is theater style (first-come, first-served).

Country star LeAnn Rimes takes the Amphitheater stage on Saturday, July 23 at 8 pm. Rimes has had 42 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 13 of which are top-10 hits, and has scored numerous hit singles in her career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” which went #1 in 11 countries, and “How Do I Live,” which is the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. With more than 44 million albums sold, two Grammy® Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards, Rimes is also the youngest recipient ever of a Grammy® Award, and the first country recording artist to win in the “Best New Artist” category.

Tickets are available at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com and start at $20. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available.

Shifting gears from country to soul, the Palmdale Amphitheater will present Super Soul Saturday: A Party for the Decades on Saturday, July 30 from 5 to 10 pm featuring the sounds of Motown, Funk, Disco and The King of Pop Michael Jackson. The line-up features DJ Streak, Bump City and Stone Soul.

Based out of San Francisco, and founder of the Supernatural Turntable Artists, DJ Streak is truly one of the greatest Scratch/Turntablist DJs recognized worldwide. Regarded as one of the fastest DJs to scratch, DJ Streak travels and performs across the globe, from spinning in Las Vegas/NYC/Los Angeles, to delighting crowds of thousands in the Mid-West, Asia and the most extravagant paradise locations.

“Booty-shaking party music” best sums up the inimitable Bump City. Rooted in improvisation, these all-star musicians, led by Drummer Tony Capko, have built an enthusiastic vibe on a long-standing musical tradition that dates back to the legends of funk, soul and blues. With extraordinary musicians and phenomenal vocals and harmonies, this band can throw down anything from old school to high energy — James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, The Temptations … to New Soul Vibes like Joss Stone, Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz — with flair, intensity and a stage presence that's all their own.

Stone Soul’s spot-on renditions of timeless hits from legendary artists have brought them recognition as one of the best Classic Soul and Motown bands working today. Their talents have been called upon to support Stevie Wonder, The O’Jays, Diana Ross and BB King, as well as entertaining thousands at clubs, special events and corporate parties all over Southern California and beyond.

Tickets are available at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com and start at $8. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available.

Wrapping up the concert series will be “Get Jazzed at The Amp” on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 5 to 10 pm with Herbie Kaye & Tony Capko, Gina Eckstine and The Adam Cohen Band.

Sharing the stage with the biggest names in jazz including Ric Braun, Peter White, and Jessy J and Jazz Attack, the Herbie Kae Trio featuring Tony Capko is an Antelope Valley staple. After backing major artists most of their careers, Herbie and Tony have joined forces to blend their musical talents, becoming a favorite at Jazz festivals, concerts and amphitheaters. The group will showcase selections from their latest release, Drive Time, including traditional jazz, smooth jazz, funk and R&B in the style of artists such as Grover Washington, David Sanborn, Richard Elliott, Gerald Albright and Kenny G.

Gina Eckstine began singing professionally at age 7, performing in her father’s nightclub act. As a child, she was inspired and guided by household guests that included Quincy Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Sarah Vaughan, and The Four Tops. The daughter of legendary jazz singer Billy Eckstine and model/actress Carolle Drake, Gina has traveled the world opening for Count Basie, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bill Cosby. Following an appearance on The Tonight Show, she developed her own nightclub act and spent a decade performing at every major hotel and casino in Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, where she continues to perform, most recently at the Mirage. She performs a tribute to her legendary father at many Los Angeles jazz hot spots, and has recently released a new album, All I Have Is Yours.

In a city where the best of the best set the bar high for fellow bassists looking to earn a place among them, Adam Cohen has carved out a healthy piece of the pie. On almost any given night in LA, Adam can be found lending his creative support to artists covering a broad range of stylistic demands. A true “double threat,” Adam’s prowess on both the acoustic and 6-string electric bass has found him sharing the stage with the likes of Ray Charles, The New York Voices, Taylor Dayne, Ernie Watts, Tim Weisberg, Eric Marienthal and Engelbert Humperdinck. As a recording artist, his playing and composing is showcased on his latest release, Ritual.

Tickets are available at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com and start at $8. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available.

Tickets for all the concerts go on sale Thursday, April 14 at 9 am at www.palmdaleamphitheater.com. Tickets will also be available the day of each concert beginning at 4 pm on a cash-only basis.

Sponsorships are available for the concert series and Family Movie Nights, which offer businesses the opportunity to reach potential customers in a unique setting that allows for personal interaction for greater impact. To learn more about either series of events, please contact Sponsorship & Marketing Specialist Stella Devine-Knight at 661/267-5120 or sknight@cityofpalmdale.org.

Family Movie Nights

Friday nights at The Amp are “Family Movie Nights,” with four blockbusters on tap: Tangled, July 15; Star Wars: The Force Awakens, July 29; Avengers: Age of Ultron, Aug. 5; and Minions, Aug. 12.

In Tangled, starring the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, when the kingdom’s most wanted and charming bandit Flynn Rider hides in a mysterious tower, the last thing he expects to find in it is Rapunzel, a spirited teen with an unlikely superpower: 70 feet of magical golden hair! Together, the unlikely duo sets off on a fantastic journey filled with surprising heroes, laughter and suspense. Rated PG.

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, starring Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy, and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance. Rated PG-13.

Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson and James Spader star in Avengers: Age of Ultron. When an attempt is made to jump start a dormant peacekeeping program, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans. Rated PG-13.

Minions, starring the voices of Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm and Steve Carell, tells the tale of super-villain Scarlet Overkill who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world, with Minions recruits Stuart, Kevin and Bob. Rated PG.

Each movie will feature free kids activities from 6 to 8 pm (while supplies last). Costumes, impromptu dance parties and parades are encouraged at all Family Movie Nights.

Admission is $4. Kids 12 & under admitted free. Gates open 6 pm, movies begin at dusk. Food and non-alcoholic beverages in coolers are welcome at Family Movie Night events. All bags and coolers will be inspected at the gate. Alcohol and pets are not allowed. Snack vendors will be on-site for your convenience. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Children 12 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

For more information on the concert series and movies, please visit www.palmdaleamphitheater.com or call 661/267-5611.

About The Amp

The Amp at Marie Kerr Park is the Antelope Valley’s premier outdoor entertainment venue, providing audiences with a blend of high-energy concert performances and community-based programming. Its convenient location, great sight lines and comfortable, grassy seating areas are complemented by Saturday evening concerts and Friday evening Family Movie Nights presented during summer months.

For many years, the City of Palmdale hosted the Starlight Concert Series on a baseball field at Marie Kerr Park, and guests would come as early as 3 am to set out their blankets and stake their spots to watch entertainers perform on a portable stage. There were often smaller events held prior to the concerts, like Family Western Days, Taste of the Valley and the Fourth Saturday Cruise. Soon, however, the concerts were bursting at the seams with guests, and it became clear that a larger venue was needed.

In 2005, after Palmdale residents voted for a bond measure to provide funds for the construction, the Palmdale Amphitheater was opened at the newly expanded Marie Kerr Park site, ushering in a new era. The new amphitheater featured amenities that were not available at the old site, such as permanent restrooms, areas for food vendors, and a green room for the entertainers.

Previous performers at The Amp have included Blake Shelton, The Beach Boys, Lonestar, The Spinners, The Four Tops, Loverboy, The Tempations, The Guess Who, America, SheDaisy, The Rascals, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Chaka Khan, The Whispers, Mercy Me, Pablo Cruise, War, Euge Groove, The Rippingtons, Jeff Golub, The Village People, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Pam Tillis, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Bill Medley, Blind Boys of Alabama, Sugarland, Air Supply, Newsboys, Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits, Tracy Lawrence, Josh Kelly, Blue Oyster Cult, Los Lobos, Montez de Durango, Blood Sweat and Tears, Clay Walker, Morris Day and the Time, Fifth Harmony, Banda Machos and Phil Vassar.