Songwriters at Sunset concert series at Lover’s Key starts Jan. 2
The Friends of Lover’s Key hope to make the sounds of the beach more enjoyable when their fifth “Songwriters at Sunset” monthly concert series begins Jan. 2 at Lovers Key State Park on Fort Myers Beach.
The gazebo at Lover’s Key State Park will be the site of the shows featuring local musicians playing original songs on acoustic guitars. The first concert will begin at 3:45 p.m. and last until “about 15 minutes before sunset,” said Shelley-Sue Williams, Director of the Friends of Lovers Key. The monthly shows, held on the first Thursday of the month, will run through April.
The concerts will take place at 8700 Estero Blvd. underneath the large gazebo located right on the beach at Lovers Key State Park. Seating on the gazebo is available for the first 80 people. Additional seating is also available on the sand so concertgoers should bring lawn chairs or blankets.
“I usually tell people to come for the concerts and stay for the sunsets,” Williams said.
Williams works with her husband Bob Williams on the planning. He is vice president of Fort Myers-based Americana Community Music Association (ACMA). The musicians will be provided through ACMA, she said. The ACMA is a nonprofit organization that works with local musicians who write original material by promoting them and finding venues for them.
These shows are similar to the local Island Hopper event held each year on Fort Myers Beach with local songwriters sharing songs and the stories behind the songs.
“The gazebo on the beach at Lovers Key provides the perfect stage for the monthly Songwriters at Sunset acoustic concerts,” Williams said. “It is always interesting to hear where a song originated from.”
The Jan. 2 show will feature J.Robert, the creator of the “Florida Songwriter Showcase” and regular performer at the Florida Folk Festival, local charity events, hotels, and corporate events.
Also playing will be Brent Moyer, who melds country, R&B and Americana music.
The organizers will use a portion of the proceeds from sales from food trucks on the beach to help fund a welcome and discovery center that the nonprofit organization has been fundraising for. There is also a daily fee to enter the park, which will not count towards the group’s fundraising efforts.
Park entry fees are $8 for vehicles, $4 for a single person in vehicle and $2 for pedestrian/bicyclists.
The rest of the schedule features much to look forward to: Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy will play Feb. 6 at 4:15 p.m.; The Pearl Street Band will perform Mar. 5 at 4:30 p.m. and Chakulla will play April 2 at 5:45 p.m.