About a decade ago, Port Moody resident and longtime civic volunteer George Balzer was disappointed as he took his regular runs through Rocky Point Park.
At that time, the oceanfront green space was still being developed and Balzer didn’t like that the central performance stage was always empty. “I thought, ‘This isn’t good.’”
So to fill the physical and sound void, the Port Moody Rotarian suggested to city staff he program it. They signed up and, thus, the Summer Sunday Concerts series was born.
Balzer got backing from one of the city’s largest employers, Pacific Coast Terminals, as well as the TD Bank to pay for the bands for eight weeks; soon, other sponsors, such as The Tri-City News, followed.
Today, Balzer recruits top-notch ensembles specializing in funk, soul, reggae, blues and R&B. “It’s the kind of music I like,” he said, with a shrug, “but then a lot of other people like it, too, so I’m not going to mess with a lineup that people like.”
Now in its ninth year, the Summer Sunday Concerts draw large crowds for the free two-hour shows — sometimes, as much as 1,000 people — to watch the groups on the PCT Performance Stage and to groove to the sounds.
The musicians like it, too, often remarking during their sets about the laid-back environment and the lovely water and mountain vistas before them.
Still, the series is for a good cause. Since 2004, it has collected more than $18,000 for the Crossroads Hospice Society, a Tri-City-based charity that has its palliative care facility in Port Moody’s Inlet Centre; it receives 100% of the spectator donations.
This past Sunday, on opening day when Steelin’ in the Years played, Balzer said the series brought in a record amount for Crossroads. “It just keeps growing and growing,” said Balzer who, in 2013, was presented with the city’s first-ever Award for Exemplary Civic Service.
• The Summer Sunday Concerts run on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Rocky Point Park. Visit summersundays.ca.
SUMMER LINEUP
July 19: Ten Souljers
July 26: Groove & Tonic
Aug. 2: Coco Jafro
Aug. 9: Famous Players Band
Aug. 16: R&B Allstars
Aug. 23: Brickhouse
Aug. 30: So Tight summer lineup
