Woodstock concerts bring peace, love and music to Concord

In August of 1969, the Woodstock music festival was born at a farm in Bethel, NY. Woodstock was expected to draw 100,000, but attracted more than 500,000 people and launched the careers of many of today’s familiar rock ‘n’ roll icons.

As a salute to that cultural phenomenon, the City of Concord, CA,  presents a three-day Woodstock celebration in Todos Santos Plaza this weekend with tributes to Santana, Jefferson Airplane and Jimi Hendrix.

On Thursday evening, despite near 100 degree temperatures of the day still cooling down, the entire park was filled and the Santana tribute band, Caravanserai, had joyful people dancing and grooving like it was 1969. The celebration continues Friday and Saturday, with 2 more concerts in Todos Santos Plaza.

Musicians of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in the festivities that feature a Community Drum Jam starting at 4 p.m before each concert. Singer-songwriter guitar circles will commence on the lawn in front of the main stage at the conclusion of the concerts. To add to the fun, the park will be sprinkled with strolling street performers, Burning Man style art pieces and a few specially selected arts and crafts vendors.

CARAVANSERAI, The Legendary Music of Santana, rocked the plaza on Thurday evening.

Friday, Aug. 16
SAN FRANCISCO AIRSHIP: Jefferson Airplane Evolution

Saturday, Aug. 17
PURPLE HAZE: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix featuring Ralph Woodson

Time: 6 to 8 p.m. each night (4 p.m. Community Drum Jam and 8 p.m. Guitar Circle)
Location: Todos Santos Plaza— 2175 Willow Pass Road at Grant St.
Admission and Parking: Free

Many of the concerts are broadcast live (as well as rebroadcast) over Concord TV on Comcast channel 28, Wave channel 29 and U-Verse channel 99. See the schedule at http://www.cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/1129/Concord-Cable-TV-Schedule-PDF