An annual summer concert series returned with guitar riffs and a roar as a military group belted out classic rock and pop well into the night.
Gresham’s 15th annual Music Mondays heralded its exciting slate of performances with a toe-tapping, head-banging showcase from 45 Away — “Oregon’s Own” 234th Army Band of the National Guard.
The group, which made its Music Mondays return after several years, brought plenty of hits. They channeled Jimi Hendrix with a guitar solo “Star Spangled Banner;” and played songs like “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King; “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake; “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon; “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John; “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer; “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae; “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder; and so much more.
“We are so excited to be back at Music Mondays,” 45 Away called out to the crowd.
Opening the Monday, July 1, show was something a bit different for the enthusiastic crowd. Gordo, a loop artist who bills himself as the one-man, 10-piece band, showed off his live improvisational skills. Jason Gordon played and looped rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, horns, harmonica, and lead and harmony vocals.
What made the Music Mondays show from Gordo fun was the interactions with the crowd, allowing for a unique experience before 45 Away brought back the classics.
Music Mondays is held weekly throughout July and August, courtesy the Center for the Arts Foundation. The free, family-friendly shows are held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Gresham Arts Plaza, 401 N.E. Second St.
The first show was bigger and better than ever before — organizers all agreed the crowd was the biggest for the opening week of Music Mondays. While the amazing performances are the main draw, with future acts bringing blues, jazz, country, Latin, reggae, folk, soul/R&B, and more, there is plenty of fun to be had across the plaza.
Folks packed into the space, set up with chairs on the concrete and picnic blankets out on the grass. Many brought their own meals, while others purchased from the plethora of offerings: Hoppy Brewer’s “Hopulance,” treats from Tany’s Café Con Pan, Father Time BBQ, Taquizas Morelia, and Shorty’s Hotdogs.
Much of the plaza is dedicated to kids. East Hill Church and some other sponsors had lots of games and crafts, and at the southern end was the Children’s Splash Pad, which is a chlorinated way for kids, and parents in the splash zone, to stay cool during the hot summer days.
If you missed the opening show, don’t worry, there are plenty of jams ahead. Here is the 2024 Music Mondays lineup:
July 8: Blues Battalion (blues); The Christopher Brown Quartet (jazz)July 15: Isa Y Cuba Ache (Latin); Son Cubano (Cuban salsa)July 22: Whip Wilson (country); Lusted Road (country/rock)July 29: Christopher Kern (steel pan); CoLoSo (reggae)Aug. 5: Big Country (country); Trent Beaver & the Damage (country/rock)Aug. 12: Sonny Hess (blues); Johnny Wheels (blues)Aug. 19: 10 O’Clock Hill (folk); Darling Radio (Americana/folk)Aug. 26: JT Trawick (folk); The Denominators (soul/R&B)
Sponsors for the show include the city of Gresham, KMO Real Estate, TriMet, Clackamas County Bank, Gresham Ford, McDonald Wetle, Miller & Main LLC, USWC Taekwondo, SDF Collective, The Hoppy Brewer, The Wes, The Arts Plaza Apartments, Regional Arts & Culture Council, MEWA, Ziply Fiber, AARP Oregon, Pacific Crest Construction Inc., Port of Portland, Pacific Office Automation, Gresham Sanitary Services, Burns Feed Store, A to Z Signs, Chess Lab Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Dry Box, Mad Cow Brewing Co, Alejandro’s Mariscos & Bar, the Gresham Farmers Market, Office Depot, Money Saver Mini Storage, and The Outlook.
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