Summer in Springfield means there’s music in the air, as the Braddock Nights series of concerts continues.
These free concerts take place in Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, and people attending are encouraged to relax and bring blankets or lawn chairs, along with snacks and picnics. The upcoming performers are the Kings Park Band, The NOVA Brass Ensemble, and Sunny@Midnight.
The Kings Park Band started out with nine members in 1965, using donated music and practicing in a basement. Today, the band has more than 55 members and is a full concert band with a professional, paid conductor. The band has performed in many different venues over the years, including parks and fairs.
The NOVA Brass Ensemble, which formed in 1997 under the direction of John Wright, performs light classical and pop music at social and civic events throughout Northern Virginia. Members of the group come from the Reunion Music Society Jazz Orchestra, the NOVA Symphony’s brass section, and others. The group performs music from the 16th century to Broadway.
Sunny@Midnight plays Americana/roots music and is driven by multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and singer Jeff Smith, and Sherry Stewart, who is also a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and singer. Stewart’s songs are inspired in part by nature and the group delivers them with a blusey swagger.
The Kings Park Band appears August 2, NOVA performs August 9, and Sunny@Midnight plays August 16. Organizers of events like this will often work with banner printing to create suitable decorations for the outdoor venue.
