The River Cities Big Band performs Thursday in the bandshell in downtown Norway as part of Music in the Park.

NORWAY — This week, Music in the Park will welcome a seasoned group of performers who are “back by popular demand,” as the River Cities Big Band presents the eighth concert of the summer. The free summertime music series will continue at 7 p.m. Thursday at the band shell in downtown Norway.

The River Cities Big Band is a pro-quality group of seasoned performers that draws its members from the greater Marinette-Menominee area, but also draws players from as far south as Green Bay and as far east as Escanaba. The band is under the direction of Greg Hunt, retired Norway-Vulcan Schools band director and former bass trombonist with the band. Under his leadership, the audience will hear a wide variety of big band music, from the great standards of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and Chuck Mangione to contemporary classics from Chicago and The Eagles. In addition to great improvisers in all sections of the band, vocalists Amy Linstad and John Wills will delight the audience with their soulful numbers.

Many members are current or former music educators, but the band literally has members from all walks of life, ranging in age from 24 to 86. The RCBB, formerly known as the Community Jazz Ensemble, has performed for many summer concerts in the Menominee-Marinette area over the past 42 years, and in February 2020 was awarded special recognition by the Menominee Area Arts Council for “Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Music.”

They love to interact with their audiences and look forward to playing at new venues as often as possible.

“We hope folks that come into Iron Mountain for this week’s Out to Lunch concert with Mark Young and the Happy Enchiladas will enjoy the afternoon, have a nice dinner in the area and come on down to beautiful Band Shell Park in Norway for our eighth free performance of this summer’s series, River Cities Big Band is an outstanding modern big band, and always brings a wonderful show,” MIP Programming Director Carol Sundstrom said.

After storms moved through earlier in the day, a beautiful summer evening saw live music fans packing Band Shell Park, and the seventh Music in the Park concert in Norway gave blues and jazz fans a full night of hard-hitting tunes to an engaged, fun live music crowd.

In case of inclement weather, concerts will be at the Crossroads Church (Grace United Methodist/Bethany Lutheran) on Odill Drive, behind the Norway Historical Museum on the east edge of Norway. Check the Norway Music in the Park Facebook page for updates if the weather is questionable.

Music in the Park is grateful for the financial support they have received from several organizations, businesses and individuals this year, without whom this concert series would not be possible – Major underwriters include: John and Nancy Sundstrom and Jim’s Music of Iron Mountain, this week’s “spotlight” sponsors; Darlene Asselin, in memory of William Asselin; The Norway Senior Center; The Curtis J. Brackett Memorial Foundation; Northern Interstate Bank – Norway and surrounding areas; The Holmberg Agency of Norway; The Iron Mountain Iron Mine in Vulcan; the Law Offices of Mouw and Celello, Iron Mountain; Carrie Toretta-Partello, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group of Iron Mountain; Norway Township; Steven and Debra Tinti; Larry and Kathy Bourdeau; Preferred Powersports of Norway; Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area; The Vulcan-Norway-Loretto Lions Club; media support from WJNR-WOBE-WHTO Radio, The Iron Mountain Daily News, the Advertiser; and numerous individual and anonymous sponsors. This support is greatly appreciated.

Upcoming Music in the Park performances include:

Aug. 7: Norton, Chartier & Company – Iron Mountain;

Aug. 14: The DayDreamers – Marquette*.

(* — Double Header concert with Iron Mountain Out to Lunch)

Aug. 21: Special 11th Audience Appreciation Concert featuring the Grand Design Band – Delta County.