Last gazebo concert of the season features Billy King and Emily Slomovits

Emily Slomovits and Billy King performing together at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival (screenshot)

by Marsha Chartrand

Where has the summer gone? It seems like just the other day Riverfolk welcomed Joe Reilly for a kids’ concert at the gazebo. Since then we’ve heard gypsy swing from the Royal Garden Trio; classical banjo from Aaron Jonah Lewis; traditional brass band music from the Dodworth-Saxhorn Band; amazing string music from the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic; and traditional strings from the Palooka Brothers.

And here we are, at the beginning of August, announcing the final concert of the 2022 season featuring two local favorites — who happen, in fact, to have been gazebo favorites since they were kids themselves.

In the early 1990s, Billy led the preteen King Brothers, a two-member band, to local fame around the Ann Arbor area, including the Manchester gazebo, and released five original albums. He’s been singing and songwriting ever since, recently releasing a CD, Garden, and will be featured at this weekend’s River Rhythm event in Manchester as well as his own HollerFest later this month, which takes place on the King family’s farm, Frog Holler, where he still lives and works.

Emily plays music with her dad and uncle, San and Laz Slomovits, the duo Gemini — another longtime gazebo concert staple — as well as with her dad as simply San and Emily. She also sings and plays frequently with Billy King in both in-person and virtual collaborations. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Emily is an actor, teacher, and writer.

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and a picnic if you wish. Or you can enjoy great food from the Emanuel UCC Ice Cream Social just kitty-corner from the gazebo before the concert begins. In case of rain, Emanuel also offers a convenient rain location in their gymnasium.

As always, this performance is free and open to everyone. A freewill donation basket will be passed during the intermission of the concert. Any donation, large or small, is greatly appreciated and helps support this longtime Manchester tradition. Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization also gratefully acknowledges Michigan Humanities for their grant funding for the 2022 program year.

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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.