Area residents invited to attend concert, dinner

By Morgan Conklin
Summer Reporter

The Purdue Memorial Union invites area residents to attend a series of free outdoor summer concerts beginning this Wednesday.

Each of the four concerts will last from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Union, unless inclement weather forces the show inside to the La Posada Room in the Union.

A buffet style dinner will also be available for $8.50. The dinner selection will include items that reflect the style of the featured artist or group and, although guests are only allowed to walk through the buffet line once, the dinner will be served throughout the concert, said Ben Grossman, assistant chef at the Union.

"Some of the food that we provide is not stuff you often get — things like okra, jambalaya and gumbo," said Grossman. "We like seeing the people react to what they are eating."

The Union has sponsored the concert series for several years, and Sara Solloway, program director for the Purdue Memorial Union, said, "People really like (the concert series). It seems like people are looking for activities to do outside, and if the weather is nice, it will be a good time to be outside to enjoy the music and food."

A group that preformed last year will begin this year’s concert series on Wednesday. The Sisters of Thunder will entertain their audience with a cappella. A soul food dinner will be served to complement the show.

The Clayton Miller Blues Band will perform on July 11. A Cajun dinner featuring BBQ pork ribs and peach cobbler will be among the variety of selections available at the buffet.

On July 18, The Bent Nickel Dance Band will make their first appearance in the concert series. Jambalaya and blackened chicken top the list of food that will accompany their performance.

Another band that was featured last year will conclude this year’s series on July 25. The Lafayette Area String Quartet will perform while guests can choose to eat a dinner consisting of a plethora of French foods.

"The concerts provide a wonderful opportunity for people to be outside and enjoy great local music and good food," said Elaine McVay, marketing coordinator for the Union.

"There is a tremendous amount of positive feedback from the people," said Grossman. "It is something good that we do to give back to the community — not just Purdue, but the local community."