Twilite Delite concert series begins tonight

BANGOR – For the past four summers, people have gathered Thursday evenings along the waterfront, bringing children, guests and picnic baskets with them, to take in the sunset and enjoy the vibrant music offered by the Twilite Delite Concerts.

To celebrate the program’s fifth year, its producer, Bangor Center Corp., has brought back some of the most popular musicians to perform in this season’s series, “Encore!” Beginning at 7 tonight, the concerts on the waterfront start up with Brewer’s Queen City Big Band. The band was created by local musicians who love big-band music but had no outlet for their passion.

“We live in this beautiful town on this beautiful river and it’s good for people to be able to come down on a nice evening and listen to music,” says Steve Robbins, spokesman for the concert series.

All of the musical acts are by local musicians or people who have Maine ties. The Moon Puppies, performing June 21, are well known for their toe-tapping swing tunes. Jazz chanteuse Diane Linscott is originally from Maine and will perform with friends on June 28. The Blue Hill Brass Quintet, playing July 5, has been a huge hit with past audiences, playing Dixieland, big band, kids’ music and some musical surprises that one wouldn’t expect from a brass ensemble. The locally famous Memphis Belles will sing and entertain families on July 12, with something for people of all ages. The series will end on July 19, with the 18-member Brian Nadeau’s Big Band playing tunes from the era of Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.

The free concerts are sponsored by Miller Drug, Prexar, Hamel Fuels, the Bangor Mall, Berry, Dunn McNeil & Parker and the Bangor State Fair.

The concerts, held at 7 p.m. every Thursday on the Bangor waterfront near the harbor master’s office, are scheduled to last about an hour, but have tended to continue for as long as people were having a good time. For more information call 942-5548.