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Park concerts feature local bands By Bill Varble The Jerry Miller Band kicks off this summer�s concert series in Medford�s Bear Creek Park June 18. Miller is the former guitarist with the classic rock band Moby Grape who lived for a number of years in Josephine County. The popular series runs through Sept. 3 and features musical groups such as Heart and Soul, Gabriel and the Technicians and the Rhythm Kings. "We�re a little less bluesy and a little more country," Medford Parks and Recreation director Tom Hilton says. Another change is that the focus has returned to Southern Oregon groups this year after being more on regional acts in 1999. "We kind of asked people to apply," Hilton says. "The Parks Commission did the selections based on who applied. We try not to have the same ones each year." Dan Balmer, a hit last year, couldn�t sign this year because he plans to tour with Diana Ross, Hilton says. One group that will return is the Caribbean Super Stars. They drew 2,200 people to the park last year, the biggest show of the series. Hilton says the series cost the city about $12,000 last year for performers and technicians. "I think it�s pretty close this year," he said. "Maybe a little less." Here�s a schedule: June 18: The Jerry Miller Band. June 25: Heart and Soul. July 2: Gabriel and the Technicians. July 9: Rhythm Kings. July 16: Ronnie Glover. July 23: Good Bait Quintet. July 30: Caribbean Super Stars. Aug. 6: Jefferson State Brass. Aug. 13: Blues Express. Aug. 20: Marie Glosser and The Shadows. Aug. 27: Rogue Valley Bluegrass Boys. Sept. 3: Journey�s End Jazz Band. Concerts begin at 7:15 each Sunday evening up to Labor Day at the outdoor stage near Highland Avenue and Bear Creek. They�re for all ages, and they�re free. Another popular entertainment festival splits itself between Bear Creek and Cantrall-Buckley parks on consecutive nights for most of the summer. It�s a classic film festival that opens June 7 at Cantrall-Buckley near Ruch and June 8 at Bear Creek Park. "It�s a drive-in without the cars," Hilton says. The shows run through Sept. 2 starting at dusk Fridays at Cantrall-Buckley and dusk Saturdays at Bear Creek. Here�s a schedule: June 30-July 1: "The Wizard of Oz." July 7-8: "The Man Who Came to Dinner." July 14-15: "Casablanca.�� July 21-22: "Shane." July 28-29: "Creature From the Black Lagoon" (this one�s in 3-D, with free glasses provided). Aug. 4-5: "The Thin Man." Aug. 11-12: "Horsefeathers." Aug. 18-19: "It Happened One Night." Aug. 25-26: "Singin� In the Rain." Sept. 1-2: "Adam�s Rib." A music series opens at Cantrall-Buckley July 1 and 2 with a bluegrass festival. The series features concerts running from 1 to 9 p.m. Admission is $4 (kids under 12 get in free). The series runs through much of the summer. Here�s a look: July 1 and 2: Bluegrass. July 9: Hispanic music. July 23: Christian music. Aug. 6: Rhythm and blues. Aug. 20: Cajun music. To reserve an area, or for information, call 774-8183 or 899-7155. Still another series returns to Medford in August as Parks and Rec again presents concerts in Alba Park in downtown Medford. Free shows are planned for Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, although the roster of performers isn�t set. "We may even get somebody from Britt," Hilton says. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA