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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Friday Nights at the Cove, Montevallo’s annual live entertainment series, is set to entertain the citizens of Montevallo beginning on Friday, April 25.

Each event will feature a different musician at Owl’s Cove Park on 737 Main Street, with the event being a family-friendly event with free admission. Live music on each installment of the series will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Courtney Bennett, the executive director of Montevallo Main Street, outlined the inception of the series and how it has evolved over the years.

“We started Friday Nights at the Cove in 2018 right after Owl’s Cove Park was finished,” Bennett said. “Providing free outdoor concerts was our way to introduce this ‘pocket park’ to the community as a new public space to gather and make memories.”

The event featured multiple different styles and iterations before settling on its current format.

“We tried different things over the years, such as hiring professional solo artists and bands, hosting open mic nights and extending the concert season into the fall, but we currently focus on having different professional groups in a variety of genres perform on the last Friday of April through July,” Bennett said. “That seems to be what brings the biggest crowds to the park.”

Bennett described what attendees can expect in terms of the atmosphere of Friday Nights at the Cove.

“Attendees are invited to bring their own chair to the park, settle in and enjoy two hours of live music,” Bennett said. “It’s a great time to bring a ‘picnic’ dinner from one of your favorite downtown Montevallo restaurants and enjoy it alongside the music. Folks are welcome to bring their families. One of my favorite parts is when people dance.”

Bennett detailed the variety of bands and genres that will be featured in this year’s series.

“This year’s lineup includes a classic rock band, an acoustic version of the popular band Twelve performing a variety of hits and for the first time ever a cumbia band and an international supergroup with African influences,” Bennett said.

Below is a list of the performers at Friday Nights at the Cove and when they will be performing:

 

• April 25- The Wringers
• May 30- Twelve
• June 27- Saul Ramirez y Su Ritmo Tropical
• July 25- Swanglish

 

Along with being a fun event for Montevallo residents, the event also contributes to Montevallo’s local culture and economy.

“People talk about Friday Nights at the Cove all year,” Bennett said. “It’s one of our signature downtown events. We also thank our sponsors for allowing us to offer this event free to the public. This year’s sponsors include Dr. Bobby F. Shunnarah of Montevallo Family Dentistry, Alabama Custom Trailer & RV and Team Lehman Realty/Su Casa Real Estate. We are seeking one more sponsor for the concert season and invite any interested businesses to contact the Montevallo Main Street office.”

Bennett concluded by emphasizing the event offers something for everybody.

“Music and food are two of the things that bring people together,” Bennett said. “We are proud to offer this concert series every year as a way to bring our community together to kick back, relax and spend time with each other.”

For more information on Montevallo Main Street, visit Cityofmontevallo.com/MontevalloMainStreet.aspx.