Music Off Central Holds First Concert in New Half Shell

Going through Sutherlin yesterday or today, there was a big commotion at Central Park as a giant metal frame draped in blue and white fabric went up with the help of a team of people on the ground and tractors. The new structure is Sutherlin's own half shell concert stage ready for the summer concert series that starts tomorrow. Music Off Central's secretary Debbie Hamilton said she is excited to see the concert series go big. "I was almost in tears this afternoon," Hamilton said. "We have much bigger bands than we've had in the past. It was mostly local bands. We probably had maybe max 200 people. We never had any food trucks until last year. We decided with this fabulous half shell and stage to go bigger." Sutherlin has had a summer music in the park concert series since 2008, but is going bigger this year. With help from American Rescue Plan Act funds, the City of Sutherlin purchased the fabric band shell that can go up and down as needed, laid a concrete stage, and has landscaping set to go in tomorrow. Hamilton said city staff worked very hard to make this happen, despite weather and shipping delays. "It's been waiting for the weather to do the stage area part then the half shell came from Canada - the only place near the United States we could get one," Hamilton said. "It came in Thursday. Nothing like waiting until the last minute," Hamilton joked. There will be food trucks and cotton candy in addition to the band playing in the park where families can utilize the park, playground, and splashpad. "We're making it a family affair," Hamilton said. "We're super excited. Come, have fun, bring your kids. We're just ready to bring our community back together - enjoy everybody, enjoy the music." The food trucks will be ready to serve at 5:30 p.m., there will be a small ribbon cutting ceremony at about 6:15 p.m., and the concert will start at 6:30 p.m. at Central Park. The band for tomorrow night will be The Koz from Eugene playing 70's to 90's classic rock. There are five concerts in the series, every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. through Aug. 11. For more information, got to https://musicoffcentral.org/lineup/. *** Photos of the half shell contributed by Ryan Cram Photo of The Koz from Music Off Central