Music on the Half Shell

If you’re into outdoor concerts; then this is the event for you. The South Umpqua river runs behind the half shell and provides a nice ambiance. When the weather is hot the trees along the park provide lots of shade. The hillside provides a nice amphitheater that is conducive to the artist’s music.
If you want to check it out. Get there early to lay your blanket out for optimal viewing. Otherwise, you will be searching for a location. Food and snacks are available for purchase, or you can have a picnic if you choose.

This is only the second time we’ve been here but Rose and I find it an altogether pleasing evening. The crowd is big; composed of all ages and types and quite orderly. The performers are not super stars but are regionally well known and quite good. Arrive an hour or so early and bring a folding chair, a blanket and a cooler of your favorite goodies. A bottle of wine is allowed. Food is available for sale if you don’t feel like packing anything. Lots of people go to the park at 0500 the day of the concert and stake out their spot with a blanket. I’m not gonna do that. We find that the spaces left are quite good and suit us just fine. Besides, watching all the people is almost as entertaining as the music! Great family event!
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As I sit alone 1,000 miles away from the place I once knew before, I fantasize one last time enjoying Music On The Half Shell. The best times I’ve had were here at Stewart Park with my family and friends surrounded by the most bubbly out going down to earth people all joining together for one common interest which is music. Variety from soul, jazz, alternative, hip hop and the list goes on. Everyone enjoys the beautiful noise. Some eat and watch, others sing along, the free spirited dance the children play at the park, and all the while everyone is having a good time not realizing that peace is the theme. I’ve never seen such large groups of people just mingling and not trying to look for drama. The summer nights are the best! Everyone lays out there blankets few inches or feet apart from the others and it’s like one huge blanket spread out across the park. I have yet to experience such another great moment. Thank you Oregonians and thank you to all of the wonderful artists who helped make Music on The Half Shell what it is! :)

The best «Concert’s in the Park» series in the world. No shit! They have had big performers from every era and genre play here, and the best thing… it’s free. I’ve seen Richie Havens (the African American dude playing Here Comes the Sun in the Woodstock Movie) here and Andrew Gold. OK, not the performers headlining the big places, but people a little off the grid and a little less top 40/​hip hop/​crap oriented.
This year, according to the web sight, will be Sly & Robbie (take a hit, you’re in a good growing region), Robben Ford, Acoustic Alchemy, and a Hawaiian World Music Festival with Ledward Kaapana (master slack key player), HAPA (more great guitar) and John Cruz.
And Riders in the Sky have played here a couple of years.
A great Tuesday night, next to the Umpqua River, in a beautiful setting.