HERD

Summer Concerts

Summer Breeze Lunchtime Concert Series
July 12, 2016

WPI’s popular Summer Breeze Concert Series, now in its 15th year, will continue on Wednesday, when nationally known folk rock musician Dave Binder takes the stage on the Rubin Campus Center patio at noon. Four additional performances are booked through Aug. 17.

The Marlene Jazz Quartet opened the Summer Concert Series on July 6.The series kicked off on July 6, with the Marlene Jazz Quartet providing some cool jazz for lunchtime listeners.

Jim McLaughlin, assistant dean of student programs and director of the Rubin Campus Center says the lunchtime music series began in 2001, the first summer after the Campus Center was opened.

The summer concert series is just one thing that helps develop community and a place to gather, to have lunch, and to enjoy some entertainment, McLaughlin says. “The Campus Center is not just a building, it’s a program with many people involved to serve the community. The purpose of our building is to be the community center for the university, where all members can come and gather for activities and events.”

The Summer Lunch Hour Concert Series features live music each week from noon to 1 p.m. on the back patio or, if inclement weather, the Food Court stage.

DEPARTMENT(S)
Rubin Campus Center

This summer’s schedule:

  • July 13: Dave Binder — Acoustic Folk Rock
  • July 20: Deux Amis — Cajun
  • July 27: Worcester Brass Consort — Popular American Classics
  • August 10: Elan Trotman — Smooth Jazz/Caribbean
  • August 17: Divas with a Twist — Rock, Jazz & Disco

“In putting together the concert series, one thing that’s important is that we have a wide variety of people’s tastes in music, different genres of music,” McLaughlin says. “We also like to utilize the talents of our WPI faculty and staff who are musicians. This year, Sam Politz and his wife (Betsy Bronstein), the group Deux Amis, will be returning. In having the series, I like to bring in some outside artists, also use some of our own talent right here at WPI.

“We’re always looking for new talent and people who would like to perform here, either during our Summer Concerts, or during the school year. Anyone who works at WPI who is in a band or performs music, I would welcome talking to them about performing.”

The Summer Lunch Hour Concert Series is sponsored by Campus Center and Student Activities.

Contact Jim McLaughlin at jimmcl@wpi.edu.

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