Sponsored by Long Beach Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal and The Freedom Band Foundation, the Gay Freedom Band and Union Station Swing Orchestra will perform a free concert Monday, July 4 from 6pm to 8pm at the Bixby Park Historic Band Shell, 2001 E. First St.
The evening will feature The Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles in “Let Freedom Swing,” highlighting American festive music from John Phillip Sousa to the Beach Boys, and saluting the men and women of the American armed forces.
Union Station Swing Orchestra will offer some of the Swing Era’s musical hits.
“What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than to picnic in the park with inspiring music and fireworks all within view of our fabulous waterfront,” Lowenthal said.
“This year’s Independence Day concert is actually on the 4th of July,” said producer Alison Jordan, noting that audience members will be able to enjoy a treat after the musical fireworks die down— real fireworks. Concert-goers can move to the south end of the park to view the Queen Mary’s fireworks demonstration.
Willis Masonheimer, longtime director of the Gay Freedom Band, said the recently restored band shell at Long Beach’s Bixby Park is like a second home for the group now. “We have played three summer concerts there in recent years but never before on the Fourth of July,” he said. “It’s such a great place for families, neighbors, and visitors to mingle and listen to an afternoon of Broadway and concert favorites, not to mention loads of unabashed patriotic music.”
