Ives Concert Park, on the Westside campus of Western Connecticut State University, celebrated its 40th year in operation in 2014, and like a few 40-year-olds, the venue has found itself in need of some cosmetic enhancements to maintain its youthful vigor. As the result of an ongoing bidding process, the roof of the famed gazebo at the outdoor concert facility will be replaced this season, along with the roof of the adjacent offices and artist green room.
Because these improvements have been anticipated since last year, it has been challenging for staff to schedule performances until the final work schedule was ironed out last week. While a “quiet” June and most of July at Ives is disappointing, the enhancements needed to be done and could not have been scheduled until contractors were confirmed and the weather made it possible.
Once the repairs are completed, the Ives will offer a variety of entertainment, music and other festivals for the remainder of the summer and into early autumn. Among them:
July 10, 11, 12, 18, 19 – “The Cat in the Hat” at the MainStage Theatre in the WCSU Visual and Performing Arts Center
July 25 – WXCI presents “Indie Under the Stars”
July 31 – Connecticut Ballet Summer Dance Caravan
Aug. 1 – WXCI & No Gimmick Records present “Urban Music Fest”
Aug. 8 – Fourth Annual Westside Reggae Festival
Aug. 9 – Ecuadorian Festival
Aug. 15 – Fab 4 Beatles Music Festival
Aug. 29-30 – Food Truck Fest
Sept. 7 – Latin Music Festival
Sept. 12 – CT on Tap
Sept. 18-20 – Irish Festival
Sept. 26-27 – Farm Fest
Oct. 10 – Harvest Jam
Information about these and future events can be found on the Ives website at www.ivesconcertpark.com or on the Ives Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ivesconcertpark.