The city is inviting Delta residents to enjoy an evening of music from the comfort of their own blanket or lawn chair this summer.
Delta's Concerts in the Park series returns to local parks and public spaces this July, with a dozen free one-hour outdoor concerts scheduled to be held in North Delta, Ladner and Tsawwassen through to the end of August. (Events are cancelled in inclement weather.)
Five of the series' 12 shows are planned for locations in North Delta.
On Saturday, July 12, multiple-award-winning "soul-folk songbird" Carly Reirson plays the North Delta Social Heart Plaza from at 1 p.m.
"Reirson transports listeners to a world of nostalgia and timeless emotions with her soaring melodies and honest lyrics," reads a bio posted on the City of Delta's website.
"An old soul at heart, Reirson's music resonates with a deep sense of authenticity, weaving tales of love and heartache that transcend generations. Her velvety yet soul-stirring voice invites you to delve into the depths of your own feelings as she shares her stories of love, loss and solitude."
Produced by Juno-winning producer Murray Pulver, Reirson's new album, Diary of a Beating Heart, is "a raw exploration into the worlds of human experience, both painful and beautiful" that gives listeners "a front row view into Carly’s vulnerable inner world, held together by her raw vocals and soulful tones."
Links to stream the album and more can be found on Instagram (@carlyreirson).
On Tuesday, July 22, the Delta Concert Band will be in Sunshine Hills Park for a 7 p.m. show.
The Delta Concert Band played its first-ever concert in May of 1965, and since then has been a mainstay of the community. The band has also represented Delta throughout the Lower Mainland, across B.C., and in places as far-flung as Hawaii, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, England and Scotland.
Though primarily composed of adult-age musicians, qualified secondary school band students are invited to play in the DCB for free, and the group also lends support to local school band students and directors via coaching sessions and shared concerts. For more info, visit deltaconcertband.ca.
"Vancouver’s piano man," Matthew Presidente, brings his high-energy performing style to the North Delta Social Heart Plaza on Tuesday, July 29, 7 p.m. start.
Presidente is a bold rock/pop songwriter praised by Xtra Magazine as “one of — if not — the best singer/songwriters our LGBT scene has,” going full-time in 2022, touring BC and earning himself a Creative BC grant with which to record.
In 2023/24, Presidente played over 200 shows, including at The Fox, The Rickshaw, and on Pride stages across B.C. and Alberta. His latest album, Chosen Sun, "blends queer empowerment and piano-rock, cementing his place in Vancouver’s vibrant music scene," according to his bio on the city's website.
Check out Presidente's music, videos and more at matthewpresidente.com.
Operatically trained "cinematic indie-folk" artist Elise Boulanger brings her "sweet darkness wrapped in orchestral instrumentation" to Sunstone Park on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.
Hailing from Vancouver, Boulanger is a bilingual environmental advocate who creates cinematic dreamscapes atop orchestral strings, piano, drums and ukulele, according to her bio on the city's website.
Reminiscent of Kate Bush with her angelic yet raw dramatic artistry, she uses her "haunting avalanche of a voice" and bold, beautiful actions to teach audiences how to live well with the planet.
Boulanger has performed at some of Western Canada’s largest events, including Canada Day in Victoria, and her most recent release is a music video for her song “Chrysalis,” available to view at eliseboulanger.com.
She is currently working on her first LP, O, Earthling, which addresses the climate crisis and pays reverence to the beauty of the earth, and this summer she will be releasing her first electronic remix in collaboration with Vancouver electronic artist The Golden Age of Wrestling.
Closing out the North Delta portion of the series is the Dylan Walker Band, playing the North Delta Social Heart Plaza on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.
Dylan Walker Band are a Vancouver-based pop/rock group who have been praised for their flamboyant stage presence, powerful vocals and sublime songwriting abilities, according ot their bio.
Since coming together in 2022, the band has explored a vast variety of genres, including rock, pop, country, punk and blues. Learn more on the group's Instagram page (@dylan_walker_band).
The City of Delta's Concerts in the Park series kicks off with the Ranj Singh Trio at Memorial Park in Ladner on Wednesday, July 2 (7 p.m.), followed by The BluesHawks at Diefenbaker Park in Tsawwassen on Tuesday, July 8 (7 p.m.).
Other shows this season include Tea for Two on the Elliott Street Wharf July 18 (7 p.m.), Luc Ferdinands on the Elliott Street Wharf Aug. 1 (7 p.m.), Magic Kingdom Sing & Dance A-Long Show at Diefenbaker Park Aug. 10 (1 p.m.), Jana Seale on the Elliott Street Wharf Aug. 22 (7 p.m.), and Tunnel Vision at Diefenbaker Park Aug. 28 (7 p.m.).
Full schedule and performer bios can be found at delta.ca/concertsinthepark.
