Cheap summer concerts are back at this historic Phoenix music venue. See who's playing
Charlie Levy thought his team was onto something when they put together the inaugural Escape to Crescent Ballroom Summer Matinee Concert Series in the early days of last year's record-breaking heat wave to get people out of the house on triple-digit afternoons.
The concert series ended up exceeding all his expectations, though. The shows were crowded. The performers had a great time. The Crescent Ballroom staff had a great time.
"There's nothing better to beat the heat than live music in a cool, air-conditioned ballroom," Levy says.
So he's bringing the concert series back for summer 2024.
New this summer is a burlesque show, which you have to be 18 to attend. All the other shows are open to all ages.
"People can bring their whole families," Levy says. "Last year, we had people over 80 come out to the show and people in their 20s. I love when that happens when it's such a great cross-section of our community."
There's a definite "something for everyone" appeal to this year's lineup, from New Orleans jazz to bossa nova, the Great American Songbook, indie-rock, flamenco, salsa, neo-soul and mambo.
The Charles Lewis Quintet is back after a sold-out matinee in 2023.
"Charles is a legendary jazz artist," Levy says. "He's turning 91 this year. But he puts Mick Jagger to shame. He's also a trained dancer. He'll just walk to the stage and look like he's dancing."
This year's series is off to an earlier start than last year because they didn't think of the idea until June of last year. And as Levy says, "We had to hurry up. It was hot. There was nothing to do. We were like, 'Let's put some shows together.' This time, we had a whole year to figure it out."
Crescent Ballroom summer concert series
Here's the lineup. All shows are at 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 30: Agua De Coco (salsa from Hermosillo, Mexico) with Phoenix Funkeros. $9.
Sunday, July 14: Barefoot (indie-pop). $8.
Sunday, July 21: Flamenco Por La Vida (traditional flamenco). $16 and up.
Saturday, July 27: Lola Torch and guests (burlesque). $14.
Sunday, July 28: Bad Cactus Brass Band (New Orleans jazz and brass) with DJ Dauphine (from New Orleans). $8.
Saturday, Aug. 3: Hyperbella (galactic neo-soul) with Ruminations. $8.
Sunday, Aug. 4: Paper Foxes with Proper Pet and Practically People (indie-rock). $8.
Sunday, Aug. 11: Charles Lewis Quintet (bossa nova). $8.
Saturday, Aug. 17: Orkesta Mendoza (mambo). $15 and up.
Sunday, Sept. 8: Great American Songbook with Rick Naimark on piano and vocals (jazz standards). $5.
Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @EdMasley.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Crescent Ballroom summer matinee concerts 2024: Here's the lineup