Free summer concert series opens Sunday in Roachdale

ROACHDALE — The cooperation of three local organizations will bring a series of free concerts to Roachdale this summer.

Presented by the Roachdale Public Library at the Roachdale Christian Church, the concerts will begin on Sunday, June 10 when Upward Journey brings its gospel and bluegrass to the church at 6 p.m.

The series is made possible by funding from the Putnam County Community Foundation.

The concerts are taking place in conjunction with the Libraries Rock! summer reading series at the library.

Part of the mission of the Roachdale Public Library is to provide programs and outreach to the Roachdale community. Many of the performers are community members themselves.

All community concerts are free, indoors and air conditioned. In order to provide a temperature controlled environment for the performers and audience, an indoor venue was sought. The Roachdale Christian Church offered its downstairs worship center for the community five of the seven concerts. This space is handicap accessible and will provide some great acoustics for our performers. The June 24 concert by Hendricks Symphony will take place in the church sanctuary.

The final concert on Sunday, July 22 will take place at the library.

Concerts in the series include:

Sunday, June 10, 6 p.m.: Upward Journey - bluegrass/gospel

Saturday, June 16, 6 p.m.: The Daily Worship Project - Christian rock

Sunday, June 24, 4 p.m.: Hendricks Symphony - brass quintet/pop an traditional choral *Held in the sanctuary upstairs

Saturday, June 30, 6 p.m.: Indianapolis Children’s Opera - Hoosier Little Pig

Sunday, July 1: 6 p.m.: Covered Bridge Harmony - women’s barbershop a capella group

Bonnie Grimes Flater - bospel artist

Sunday, July 15, 6 p.m.: Indiana Folk Music Society - folk/acoustic

Sunday, July 22, 4 p.m. Max ‘n’ Kat with special guest Beth Bigelow - cello, guitar, vocal

This final, smaller acoustic concert of the summer will be held at the Roachdale Public Library with refreshments to follow. The Library will be open until 6 p.m. following the concert to register for library cards.

Doors to the concert venues will open half an hour prior to each performance.

The library will have a table set up each week for community members to sign up for a library card, learn about library services and programs & sign up for weekly drawings.

Concerts are free to attend. All performers are offering their services for free or a reduced cost. A free-will donation may be offered.

In addition, items are accepted for Northern Putnam County food pantries. Non-perishable food and toiletry items will be accepted on the day of the concerts.

Additionally, registration forms are available at the library (and on program days) for participants ages 2-13 to attend any or all weeks of the Summer Reading Program, which takes place from 10-11:30 a.m. each Friday from June 8 through July 13.

Kids may also participate in Summer Reading (including the weekly challenges and prizes) if their schedule doesn’t allow them to attend the program.

Performers for the Summer Reading program include:

Friday, June 8: Kathleen Lockwood - cello

Friday, June 15: ZooSoul Drum Circle

Friday, June 22: DeDee Schwomeyer - percussion

Friday, June 29: Music from around the World

Friday, July 6: Lori Baker - recorders

Friday, July 13: Make and take instruments