Mon, 06/11/2018 - 03:22 pm

Jennifer DeChant

Matt Newberg performs along the Kennebec River on July 7 as part of the summer concert series. Courtesy of Jennifer DeChant

OC & The Off-Beats perform on July 21. Dylan Verner photo

Matt Newberg performs along the Kennebec River on July 7 as part of the summer concert series. Courtesy of Jennifer DeChant

OC & The Off-Beats perform on July 21. Dylan Verner photo

The Chocolate Church Arts Center presents the Summer Saturday Concert Series featuring live entertainment at 6 p.m. in the Bath waterfront park on Commercial Street. Concerts begin July 7 and continue through Saturday, Aug. 25.

Singer-songwriter Matt Newberg kicks off this fresh air series of concerts along the Kennebec River on July 7. A long time teacher, Matt has recently released a single entitled, Lost. The project brings him together with long time collaborators Gregg Hoover on guitar and Jeff Glidden on drums. Jake McCarthy (of Love to Burn, Pantones, etc.) has joined the band on bass.

The Summer Saturday Concert Series, produced by the Chocolate Church in partnership with the City of Bath, will also feature:

July 14 - Cold Chocolate (Americana, roots, bluegrass); July 21 - OC & The Off-Beats (rock, soul, pop); July 28 - Big Chips Trio & Friends (jazz, blues, soul); Aug. 4 - Duquette Trio (alternative folk); Aug. 11 - Pretty Girls Sing Soprano (folk, acoustic); Aug. 18 - Red Beans & Rice (acoustic blues duo); Aug. 25 - Pan Fried Steel (steel drum band).

The Summer Saturday Concert Series has become a destination event attracting visitors who enjoy dinner, explore local stores and listen to the finest in local and regional musicians. People of all ages bring blankets or lawn chairs and pack snacks or bring dinner for an evening of live entertainment at no cost. Concerts are weather dependent.

Also this summer, for students in grades 5-9 there will be a three-week long Summer Theatre Camp beginning on July 30 at the Chocolate Church located at 804 Washington Street in Bath. The students will be working a music director and a professional choreographer as well as a professional person who works on the technology side of the theater. This three-week adventure encourages skills of play, social interaction, story-telling, imagination, play writing, improvisation, impersonation and comedy interlaced with physical activity and engagement culminating into a performance open to the public on Aug. 17.

Actors Equity Association member Dennis St. Pierre, who offers over 30 years of stage and television experience, will lead STEAM-POWERED Theatre Camp that will meet 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. The fee is $300 and registration is available online www.chocolatechurcharts.org or by calling the box office 207-442-8455. Deadline is July 2.