Concert in the park July 5th

The Fourth of July will be extended in Crescent City thanks to a collaboration between the city and the Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness (DNACA). They’ve joined forces to host a series of free Concerts in the Park over the summer. Coming up July 5 at Beachfront Park will be Robert Tiernan and Friends, a high energy jazz/funk fusion. Tiernan’s work spans decades of local and regional performances, most recently at Chetco Brewing Company in Brookings and Mr. Ed’s in Port Orford.

The concert will overlap with the Downtown Diva’s First Fridays, which takes place on the first Friday of every month from June to October. They feature live music, kids’ activities, in-store specials, food trucks, local brews, book signings, live performance art, dance, and artisans. The aim is to bring families downtown for an evening of fun and community engagement. There will be local food from Marlo’s, Tickle Me Tummy, and La Costa, and interests for all ages.

The Downtown Divas are a coalition of businesses and residents committed to promoting downtown Crescent City as a vibrant destination for residents and visitors to gather, shop, work, and enjoy.

They organize community events such as First Friday and the Downtown Crescent City Farmers & Artisans Market.

Their focus is improving the downtown area through beautification projects, long-term improvements, and community family events.

DNACA is a local arts agency dedicated to supporting and promoting the creative arts within Del Norte County. The organization’s mission is to inspire community vitality and engagement through the arts by providing support and excitement for various creative endeavors

They place a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, acknowledging the demographic characteristics of Del Norte County, which, according to their website, is predominantly white and somewhat lacking in cultural diversity. The organization aims to address this through an inclusive and culturally diverse range of programs and initiatives.

The activities are aimed at the full range of community members, promote cultural diversity, and provide educational opportunities.

Among these are a performance series bringing five top-quality, nationally and internationally known performing arts groups to Crescent City each season. The artists not only give public performances, but they also engage with the community through workshops, master classes, assemblies, and lectures/demonstrations in schools and other community settings.

Just a few of their other programs include free performance tickets provided to developmentally disabled individuals, mental health and substance abuse clients, and others who might not typically have access to such events. Free art classes to local veterans and their families, complimentary season tickets to disabled veterans, and participation in the annual “Art by Veterans” exhibit.

For inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP). DNACA coordinates artists to lead classes such as guitar, drawing, and watercolor. They also help organize an annual exhibit of inmate art at the Del Norte Courthouse.

Their Poetry Out Loud program involves high school students in poetry memorization and recitation, culminating in competitions at the classroom, school, county, state, and national levels. It aims to build appreciation for poetry and enhance self-expression and confidence among students.

Robert Tiernan’s music is described as having “equal roots in jazz and rock,” resulting in a sound that defies easy categorization. This fusion of styles has become a hallmark of his work, blending elements from different genres to create what has been described as a “looping two-amp wall of sound that defies anything you’ve ever heard.” He has earned industry recognition, as evidenced by his appearance in Guitar Player Magazine in February 2008.

His repertoire includes vocals, electronic programming, and psychedelic elements, creating a complex and layered sound.

Tiernan has had a long and varied where he’s consistently pushed the boundaries of guitar playing and musical composition. He’s evolved from a participant in various band projects to an innovative solo artist known for his unique fusion of styles and experimental approach to live performance solo, or part of a group, as now in Crescent City as Robert Tiernan and Friends.