AMPED UP

The 8 Great Tuesdays series at the bayfront Pepsi Amphitheater takes a giant step forward this summer.

PREVIEW by John Chacona Contributing writer

John Chacona, an Erie writer, is a contributor to Coda and Signal to Noise magazines. His blog on music and culture, ‘let’s call this,’ is at www.johnchacona.com.

The best seat in the house for music in Erie is not even in the house. It’s on the bay.

Outside of Red Rocks in Colorado or the Hollywood Bowl, it’s hard to think of a more dramatically situated concert venue in the U.S. than the Pepsi Amphitheater at Liberty Park on Erie’s bayfront.

That’s right, Erie. Where else can national touring acts be upstaged by some of the world’s most picturesque sunsets — and not even mind?

Welcome to 8 Great Tuesdays, the summer concert series on the bay that combines top-rank talent, an unforgettable setting, and an unbeatable price. All of the Tuesday evening concerts in the series from July 11 to Aug. 29 are free.

That’s a sure-fire way to get the attention of Erie audiences, and the demanding local crowds have noticed. Last year, the series drew between 3,000 and 6,000 visitors to the parachute-shaped bayfront venue.

That number looks to rise this year as the series’ popularity has given the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, the presenter and owner of the 8.5-acre Liberty Park, a bigger budget that will mean more national touring acts this summer.

And Ron “Moondog” Esser, the Pittsburgh-based booker of the series, has responded, snagging the Yardbirds, Jefferson Starship / Jefferson Airplane’s Galactic Reunion Tour, and guitarist Rick Derringer, who powered Edgar Winter’s 1970’s juggernaut and scored a classic-rock hit with “Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo.”

ACTS SUCH AS THESE ARE drawn by the prospect of work on an evening that’s traditionally slow in the concert business. But don’t think they haven’t noticed the setting.

“Everybody wants to play there, everybody,” said Esser about the amphitheater. “We get hundreds of people who want to do that space because it’s that beautiful.”

Still, 8 Great Tuesdays started as a local series presenting local talent, and Esser has honored that tradition by booking some of Erie’s finest musicians.

“We’ve had a lot of success with theme nights,” said Nicole Eller, who took over the administration of the series from Rebecca Martin, who herself oversaw 8 Great Tuesdays from its inception in 1999.

“We’ve had rock, legend, and country nights, and Motown was something that we’d wanted to do for a while.”

That’s how the series will start next Tuesday evening with the 20 or so members of the Gem City All Stars aggregation. Other local favorites Jake’s Blues, Dave Stevens Big Band, and a country music evening with the Fabulous Gunslingers and Derryl Perry are also on the schedule.

But the series’ best evening just might be Aug. 1 when Key West Express transforms the Bayfront Parkway into Duval Street with the lilting music of Jimmy Buffett. Don’t forget to applaud the sunset, a nightly ritual on Key West’s West Pier.

“I don’t know anywhere that I’ve ever been that can say it has a more beautiful vibe than that amphitheater on a Tuesday night,” an amped-up Esser told me. “Week after week and year after year.”

8 Great Tuesdays will be presented July 11, 18, 25, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at the Pepsi Amphitheater in Liberty Park, 730 W. Bayfront Parkway. See accompanying schedule. For details, call Nicole Eller, 455-7557.
When Tuesday rocks

8c G on rea c t e T rts ue a s t d L a i ys be , rty a s Pa erie rk s on of f E r r ee ie’s bayfront, are held Tuesdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m., except for the Aug. 29 Rick Derringer concert, which begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday. A tribute to Motown with the Gem City All Stars, Spooner. July 18. Jake’s Blues, Blue Fire. July 25. Legendary rock band, the Yardbirds. Aug. 1. Key West Express. Aug. 8. Jefferson Starship/Jefferson Airplane Galactic Reunion Tour 2006. Aug. 15. Dave Stevens Big Band. Aug. 22. Country night with the Fabulous Gunslingers and Derryl Perry. Aug. 29. Rick Derringer and special guest.

Gem City All Stars will also appear Saturday at 9:30 p.m. in Billies at the Avalon Hotel, 16 W. 10th St. For More Information on 8 Great Tuesdays, visit www.porterie.org/8 _ great_tuesdays.html.