NEDERLAND – Sponsored by the Nederland Downtown Development Authority, the Summer Concert Series kicked off in a big way at Chipeta Park on Saturday, June 7. Accessible to everyone, there was no charge to attend.
The Cary Moran Duo took the stage first at 4 p.m. Born in Billings, Montana, and currently residing in Fort Collins, Moran uses his life experiences in the West to inform his lyrics. One of the numbers performed, titled “Waiting for a Chinook,” refers to the warming winds that roll down the Rocky Mountains.
Appearing with his wife Celeste on vocals, Moran demonstrates masterful finger-style acoustic guitar playing that blends his Crow heritage with blues, country, and folk.
Having toured domestically and internationally and shared the stage with performers such as Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Arlo Guthrie, David Bromberg, and Los Lobos, Moran found Nederland just the latest stop of his venerable 40-year career.
Next on tap that afternoon was Zimbabwean virtuoso marimba player/singer Blessing Bled Chimanga. Backed by two saxophones, drums, electric bass, keyboards, and a female vocalist and percussionist utilizing various traditional instruments, his music is an infectious fusion of African rhythms.
While the music alone was enough to permeate your soul, the glue that holds it all together is Chimanga himself. To label his act “high-energy” would be a gross understatement.
Chimanga spent half of his time weaving through the crowd engaging attendees while furiously banging on the marimba and talking with them individually. At one point, he led a joyous conga line that snaked through the park grounds.
Whipped into a near frenzy by the charismatic front man and primeval rhythms, dancers were invited closer to the stage.
“A-weema-weh. a weema-weh, a weema-weh / hush my darling, don’t fear, my darling / the lion sleeps tonight,” was given the Chimanga treatment and struck a chord with concertgoers.
When he enthusiastically sang “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” after having participated in such an entertaining and uplifting experience, you believed it.
There are five more shows remaining on the Nederland Summer Concert Series at Chipeta Park. The next concert features Los Mocochetes with Trio Ojaleo and will be held June 21 from 4 until 7 p.m.
