The Summer Breeze outdoor concert series will return to Merchants Square’s beautiful Duke of Gloucester Street for the 24th year. The series begins on Wednesday July 1 at 7 p.m. and runs weekly through August with a blockbuster lineup of bands. Unless otherwise noted, all of the free outdoor concerts are held on Wednesdays beginning at 7 p.m.July 1: Independence Day Concert 7:00 -8:15 p.m. TRADOC Concert Band
The TRADOC Concert Band from The United States Army Training and Doctrine Command out of Ft. Eustis will play American favorites and patriotic tunes in honor of Independence Day.
July 8: Rare Mixx 7–9 p.m.
Raremixx entertains audiences with a wide variety of music from the 60s to the present. Whether your preference is soft jazz, standard dinner music, or high-energy dance RareMixx plays it all. (Rain date: TBA if needed)
July 15: Tidewater Drive 7–9 p.m.
Tidewater Drive (TWD) is a "smoking hot show band," "a genuine eight-piece show band" with a full horn section. The versatile band specializing in Motown, Disco, Funk and Top 40 has shared the national stage with renowned artists Bobby Brown and the Heads of State, The Average White Band and Keyshia Coles. We look forward to their first performance in Merchants Square! (Rain date: TBA if needed)
July 22: The Original Rhondels 7–9 p.m.
The Original Rhondels are a music tradition from Virginia Beach, with top hits like, May I", "I've Been Hurt", and "What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am", The unexpected passing of Bill Deal in December of 2003 was a great loss to the music industry, however the Original Rhondels continue to perform the great music that earned them a star on the Legends Walk of Fame. (Rain date: TBA if needed)
July 29: Slapnation 7-9 p.m.
Virginia’s premier party and dance band returns to the Square again this year. With a vast repertoire from Motown, 70's Disco, and Top 40 Dance music from the 80's to today, you will hear something from this band that will make you want to get up and dance! (Rain date: TBA if needed)
Aug 5: TRADOC Arsenal Brass 7–8:30 p.m.
Arsenal Brass plays music from America's most popular music genres. The nine-piece ensemble performs hits from popular groups such as Youngblood Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, and Bonerama, as well as classic hits from Michael Jackson to Amy Winehouse. Arsenal Brass performs for schools, festivals, and any event that requires high-energy popular music.
Aug 12: US Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble 7–8:30 p.m.
This versatile 13-piece ensemble, Rhythm in Blue performs a wide variety of jazz, blues and funk.
Aug 19: US Army TRADOC Rock Band 7–8:30 p.m.
A versatile and energetic ensemble, TRADOC Rock brings contemporary styles such as Classic Rock, Pop and Country music to Soldiers and families.
Aug 26:US Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band 7–8:30 p.m.
The concert band is comprised of over 40 professional airman-musicians who wow audiences on regular tours throughout the East Coast with a variety of renditions of great orchestral classics, marches, Broadway hits, jazz standards, movie music and patriotic favorites.
- All concerts are free, and concertgoers are advised to bring a lawn chair.
- At all Summer Breeze concerts except July 1, Merchants Square also offers children’s entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. including face painting, bubble making and clowns.
For more information about weather-related postponements or cancellations, please see the Merchants Square website, www.merchantssquare.org, follow the Facebook page, or call the events hotline on concert days: (757) 565-8889.
