“Because it’s in a neighborhood park, you have neighborhood people – and it’s one of the things I love most about performing there,” said singer Rochelle “Coco Soul” Walker.
She will be taking the stage with Disco Nights Thursday, June 19 for the sophomore session of Grace Hill’s 2014 presentation of the annual Whitaker Urban Evening Series.
The concerts take place at 7 p.m. each Thursday through July 24 at St. Louis Place Park (Rauschenbach and St. Louis Avenue, 63106).
In the heart of Old North St. Louis, residents of the area casually mosey on over to hear the music in the park that serves as backyards for some.
They also welcome the hundreds of guests who come to the park just for the shows with open arms.
The children play – both independently and through activities set up by the concert organizers. They stomp around the playground area with siblings and make new friends. Neighborhood children show the visiting youngsters the ropes of the St. Louis Park play area.
The adults have their own fun. They mix and mingle, but mostly jam (or groove) to the music.
Walker can’t wait to take the stage there again. Tonight will be her third time singing for the Whitaker Urban Series crowd.
“You see people coming up to the front of the stage and dancing with you – performing right alongside you,” Walker said. “I definitely see more crowd participation than some of the other places I perform. It’s so much fun.”
Also on the bill for the 2014 series: Fatpocket (June 26), The Coleman Hughes Project Featuring Adrienne Felton (July 10), Tribal Funk (July 17) and Brian Owens (July 24).
Charles (Skeet) Rodgers & The Inner City Blues Band kicked off The Whitaker Urban Series last week.
Two-hour performances include everything from the blues, to reggae and R&B.
The series features the finest in St. Louis talent, and the audience reacts as if they are at a family reunion, cheering their talented relatives on while catching the vibe from their performance.
“It’s so much fun getting to go back and perform for the community – and the people who know you,” Walker said. “I love coming back. Every time I do, it’s more like a big party than a concert. They bring the kids and come out to listen to the music they love and grew up with.”
Walker likens the Whitaker Urban Series to a happy hour that the whole family can attend.
“Some people come after work,” Walker said. “They bring picnic baskets and coolers …. and the kids.”
Being a part of the lineup is something she has come to look forward to – and it goes beyond her having the opportunity to bless the stage.
“It’s something to take your stress away whenever you feel like you need to get away for a minute,” Walker said. “It’s not a club. It’s something outside where you can come and see people dance and have a good time from start to finish.”
Grace Hill’s presentation of the Whitaker Urban Evening Series continues June 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Place Park and will continue through July 24. There will be no performance on July 3 in observance of the 4th of July holiday.
For more information on the Series, visit http://www.gracehill.org/content/Whitaker-Concert-Series.php or call (314) 584-6904.
