Donavon Frankenreiter Kicks Off OC’s Best Summer Concert Series 6/22
Written By: Ian Hays OC Parks Summer Concert Series
Folks, it’s that time again. The OC Parks Summer Concert Series is upon us. That means outdoor live music and good times are right around the corner. This year, a total of 10 concerts will be held at various parks in Orange County. And with the concerts being free, food trucks at the ready, a beer and wine garden (21+ only) and plenty of space to spread out some blankets for the whole family, who could pass it up? The concert series will run each Thursday, June 22 through Aug. 24, from 6-8 p.m. You will be able to catch the good times at Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.
To top it off, this year’s roster does not disappoint.
You have Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on June 29, bringing their signature swing style. So, be sure to bring your dancing shoes if you feel so inclined. On July 29 you can see Orange County legend, Matt Costa at the Irvine Regional Park, and the troubadour will be bringing his signature indie pop to the masses. And even with all the other amazing acts already announced, the OC Parks Summer Concert Series still had a few tricks up their sleeve – they recently announced Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness at their surprise guest for the August 17 concert at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point! And honestly, overlooking the ocean on a warm summer evening with live music and good food, the indie-pop star will take the experience to the next level.
The annual series kicks everything off on June 22 at Fullerton’s Craig Regional Park. On opening night, you’ll be treated to the surf-infused folk rock of Donavon Frankenreiter. The Orange County native shared about his excitement to be playing the OC Parks Summer Concert Series for the first time.
Donavon grew up all over Orange County. For him, life was mainly about surfing. He surfed all up and down OC, from San Clemente to Huntington. He even went pro at 16. And while he did live for a stint in Hawaii, the Golden Coast was too much of a draw for him to stay away forever.
Surfing with friends is actually when Donavon began to get into music. People would always be bringing guitars to the bonfires and post-session hang outs. It was time for jamming and just having a laid back time after a day of battling Mother Nature for a perfect wave. And while he did play in bands in high school, music was more just a fun thing to do on the side. It wasn’t until Donavon was 30 that he released his first album. That’s when he introduced the laid-back vibes of his music to the world—think Jack Johnson with a little Orange County swagger.
And while there’s a lot of great music venues in Orange County, there’s nothing like being a local playing for locals. There’s a connection there and Donavon is excited to be a part of the festivities. And just like the rest of Orange County, he is excited to come out for the other musicians and support local arts and activities.
For Donavon, the big thing that keeps him coming back to music and surfing is that “these things are forever changing. I never play the same show twice and I never catch the same wave twice.” Donavon has been around the block. He knows how much the arts and surfing are a part of Orange County’s history; these two activities are also what draw newcomers to the paradise of the south land. And now he gets to be a part of that history when he kicks off the annual OC Parks Summer Concert Series.
And what advice does Donavon Frankenreiter have for those young ones who dream of one day playing gigs like this? For him, it’s all about perspective.
“If you’re playing music and enjoying it and it is making you happy, then you’re already successful,” he says. Not all notoriety needs to come from monetary or celebrity style success. And if playing for fans in your hometown is the kind of intimate setting that brings people together more than it divides, Donavon and the rest of the artists have already succeeded.
See the complete lineup below and online!
Craig Regional Park
Location: 3300 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92835
Contact: 714.973.3180, [email protected]
Date: Thursday, June 22
Artist: Donavon Frankenreiter and Matt Baxter
Date: Thursday, June 29
Artist: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Dallas & Doll
Mason Regional Park
Location: 18712 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Contact: 949.923.2220, [email protected]
Date: Thursday, July 6
Artist: Hollywood Stones and Jelly of the Month Club
Date: Thursday, July 13
Artist: Open Arms and Flashback Heart Attack
Irvine Regional Park
Location: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA, 92869
Contact: 714.973.6835, [email protected]
Date: Thursday, July 20
Artist: The Federal Empire and Kelly Rae Band
Date: Thursday, July 27
Artist: Matt Costa and David Rosales
Mile Square Regional Park
Location: 16801 Euclid St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Contact: 714.973.6600, [email protected]
Date: Thursday, August 3
Artist: The Fenians and Orion Walsh
Date: Thursday, August 10
Artist: Common Sense and Wheeland Brothers
Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
Location: 33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92629
Contact: 949.923.2280, [email protected]
Date: Thursday, August 17
Artist: Special Performance to be Announced June 1
Date: Thursday, August 24
Artist: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
Local Headliners Expected to Play at OC Parks Summer Concert Series
