Eclectic Acts Slated For The Yard's Second Annual Concert Series
spend a Sunday afternoon at the city of Altoona's container park, where local musical acts will take the stage all summer long
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Downtown Altoona’s new container park, The Yard (211 Division St.), will be poised to continue its upward trajectory as a hub for local retailers, Chippewa Valley cuisine and live entertainment.
As the summer months draw near, the City of Altoona has unveiled the return of its “Sunday Concert Series” in The Yard’s single outdoor stage. From May through September, both longtime area acts and newcomers to the music scene will perform.
Locals may be familiar with the city’s existing summer concert series – Rock’n On The River and Kickin’ It Country – hosted in the outdoor pavilion at River Prairie Park (Front Porch Pl, Altoona). In turn, The Yard’s Sunday Concert Series provides a platform for soloists and duos who are fresh additions to the city’s musical rotations.
“Here is a little different spin, instead of country or rock and roll,” Chad Duerkop, the City of Altoona’s parks and recreation director, said. “(The series) gives the community a different style of music and a place to be together.”
Each of the Sunday Concert Series events are free to attend; this season, performers are slated to hit the stage across several dates, Duerkop said. The series’ itinerary was curated by local veteran musician Dave Engedal, who will also take the stage as part of the summer series.
Many of the artists this season will perform on The Yard’s intimate stage for the very first time, Engedal said. He has invited popular local jazz improvisers Sue Orfield and Randy Sinz, country-rock musician Tommy Margarita, Johnny Keyz, Allison Sky and other area soloists to the lineup.
The Yard’s more intimate outdoor venue means its atmosphere takes on a relaxed quality – where patrons can grab a bite to eat and gather around with front-row seats from nearly all vantage points.
"(The series) gives the community a different style of music and a place to be together."
CHAD DUERKOP
PARKS & REC DIRECTOR, CITY OF ALTOONA
“I have been around forever and so I know a lot of the bands in town,” Engedal said of his curatorial inspiration. “There are so many acts out there that are doing single to duo (performances)... I am trying to find (something) eclectic, not the same… get different people in there.”
Mirroring the spirit of Altoona’s established musical events, both Engedal and Duerkop believe the container park acts as a bridge between community engagement and artistic collaboration. In its second season and beyond, Duerkop invites local organizers to consider The Yard for their next event in the Valley.
For now, take this as your sign to soak in the rhythm of fresh and favorite melodies under the summer sun – perhaps paired with Borsch House pierogies or other cuisines from on-site vendors – in downtown Altoona.
“We want to really push that The Yard is the place for you,” Duerkop said “If somebody else wants to hold an event, we have that opportunity for them.”
The Yard’s free Sunday Concert Series began on May 3 and will continue through September in Altoona (211 Division St.). To learn more, visit the City of Altoona Parks and Recreation or The Yard Facebook pages online.
