Kayaking concert takes to the water

Shamarr Allen, a trumpeter from New Orleans, will take the stage, sort of, in Toledo on Wednesday night.

Mr. Allen is set to be the first of three performances this summer on the Maumee River as part of Black Swamp Conservancy’s Paddle and Groove series. He will play on a pontoon boat as listeners kayak around him.

Attendees will launch in their kayaks from International Park at 5:30 p.m. and then kayak downstream toward the sunflower murals on the Glass City River Wall.

The goal of the event is both to provide listeners with a unique concert experience and increase awareness of the conservancy’s work both upstream and in the downtown area.

Tickets cost $15 for those who bring their own kayak and $45 otherwise. Tandem kayaks are also available for $60, and children under the age of 18 can only attend in a tandem with an adult.

The next two concerts will feature the Charlie Millard Band on Aug. 14 and Ben Gage Band on Sept. 11.

Tickets are available at blackswamp.org .