Billy King and friends at this week’s Gazebo Concert

In one of the earliest gazebo concert seasons of the early 1990s, faithful fans may remember the pre-teen “King Brothers” group, appearing on the gazebo stage. The duo performed both original songs and covers artfully, and found local fame in the Ann Arbor area.

Over the years, Billy King has continued to hone his musical roots while working on the family farm, Frog Holler, near Brooklyn. While living and working on the farm, Billy still writes and records his music and, with his brother, organized a three-day music festival featuring Michigan artists that takes place each summer in August at the farm.

He also actively continues to perform, whether solo, duo, or with an entire cadre of fellow local musicians, which is the “and friends” that he will bring to Thursday night’s energetic concert at the Gazebo. Come out and see who shows up to play and sing along with Billy–it will be a very pleasant surprise!

The Gazebo Concert committee has put in an order for a perfect summer night on the lawn at Wurster Park for this Thursday, June 20! Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, bring a picnic or just a snack, and spend 90 minutes with great music and good neighbors.

In the event of rain, however, the concert will go on in a drier location! The rain location for this week only is the St. Mary Parish Center on Madison Street. There will be signs directing you, and please follow the Manchester Gazebo Concerts’ Facebook page to find out if we will need to utilize the rain location. An announcement will be made by 5 pm.

The Gazebo Concert Series, a Manchester summer staple since 1989, is celebrating its 30th anniversary season this year and is grateful for the ongoing support from its sponsors and friends. This year’s sponsors have included the Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization, Manchester Wellness Coalition (part of 5 Healthy Towns), LaRock Dental, and Frank’s Place. We are also appreciative of the many, many friends who make donations both large and small during the intermission of each concert. However–if you come to the concerts empty-handed (or empty-pocketed, as it were), you may make a donation online at home, when you visit www.riverfolkarts.org!

Thank you for your support of the arts in Manchester!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.