Groton kicks off concerts at Esker Point and Washington park

Groton — The Ryan Montbleau Band opens the 2012 summer music season with the first of eight Thursday "Summer Sound Waves" concerts at Esker Point Beach at 6 p.m. June 21.

The following night, at 6:30 p.m., Groton Utilities and the City of Groton Recreation department collaborate to present the six-piece band "Rewind" for the first of eight concerts in nine weeks at George Washington Park.

Parking for the events at Esker Point Beach is $10 per car and $5 for motorcycles. Free parking and a shuttle bus are available at Fitch High School.

The Sound Waves series continues June 28 with Eight To The Bar, followed by Barefoot Truth, July 5; Hope Road, July 12; Sugar, July 19; Red Light, July 26; and Branded, Aug. 2. Aug. 9 and 16 are rain dates.

The concerts are sponsored by Mohegan Sun, Euro Cars, Mike Mondello/Edward Jones, Jay Kane and Shoreline Diving and the Companion Animal Hospital.

At Washington Park, families are encouraged to attend and bring a picnic supper. The basketball courts may be used as a dance floor, Groton Utilities spokesman Frank Winkler said.

Upcoming bands there include the Rock N' Soul Revue, June 29; High Times, July 6; Special 20, July 13; 9Teen, July 20; Coastline Swing Band, July 27; and The Cartels on Aug. 10.

There is no concert on City of Groton Day, Aug. 3. The complete Concerts in the Park 2012 schedule also can be found on Groton Utilities' website at www.grotonutilities.com, or at www.cityofgroton.com. The concert hotline for cancellation notices is call (860) 446-4129.

Sound Waves concerts are alcohol free events. Town ordinances prohibit the possession of open containers or consumption of alcohol at the events. The recreation department asks that pets not be brought to the concerts.

Information on Groton Parks and Recreation is available at (860) 536- 5680 and at www.grotonrec.com.

c.potter@theday.com