Arts in the Park
Manhattan welcomes another summer of exciting entertainment. Every Friday starting at 8 p.m. in June and July find a free performance in Manhattan's City Park at the Larry Norvell Band Shell. This event is organized and sponsored by the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department.
2023 Summer Lineup
June 2
Opener - Plastique
From: Kansas
A new wave/rock band that plays locally. They started in 1978 and were a signed band in LA. Their singer Dave Zerfas has been a very respected musician/artist throughout the years.
Listen to Plastique
Headliner - Augustus
From: Colorado
Augustus is a dual guitar, harmony-driven rock act from Boulder Colorado, they are constantly touring and making the festival circuit.
Listen to Augustus
June 9
Johnny Woods
From: Oklahoma
Johnny Woods is an up-and-coming country act with mellower, old-school country vibes while maintaining a bit of the more modern “ag sound” that fills venues in the Midwest.
Listen to Johnny Woods
June 16 - Juneteenth Performance
Keith Washington
From: Michigan
Keith Washington is a national recording artist who performs R&B, soul, and Jazz from Detroit, Michigan. He is best known for his 1991 hit song “Kissing You”. He will be joining us for the Juneteenth Soul Jam Event.
Listen to Keith Washington
June 23
Co-Headliner- The Box Turtles
From: Manhattan
Local band, The Box Turtles, formed in 2017. In that time, they have been regionally touring and creating a following for themselves with their rock originals along with their crowd-pleasing covers.
Listen to The Box Turtles
Co-Headliner- Dave Spiker
From: Manhattan
Dave Spiker is nothing short of a local music legend. Spiker is not only a top-shelf solo singer-songwriter but has been an amazing frontman, guitarist, bassist, drummer, and songwriter for many of Manhattan's most notable bands such as Ruskabank, The Goodbye Sort, The Pembertons, and Jonathan to name a few.
June 30
Colten Jesse
From: Oklahoma
Colten Jesse is one of the biggest acts that we have coming to the City Park stage. He maintains an old-school country sound. He has managed to rack up over 3 million views on his song “Marlboro Man” on Youtube. This is definitely not something that you get to go to for free in normal circumstances.
Listen to Colton Jesse
July 7
Drifters Mile
From: Ozark Mountains
Born from the Ozark Mountains( a melding pot of music and cultures for generations), Drifters Mile plays roots music, influenced by nearly every type of music that one can listen to.
Listen to Drifters Mile
July 14
Paramount
From: Kansas & Missouri
Paramount is the 70s/80s cover band that brings in big crowds around here. They play big venues, most notably The Voodoo Lounge in KC. Their tributes to anthems of the past and their loud guitar-driven sound is a crowd pleaser!
Listen to Paramount
July 21
Co-Headliner- Pink Fuzz
From: Colorado
Pink Fuzz is not only a co-headliner for Midfest in Manhattan but is also a road dog band that brings great hooks and huge rock & roll guitar riffs.
Listen to Pink Fuzz
Co-Headliner- Headlight Rivals
From: Manhattan
Co-headliner of Manhattan’s own Midfest, is the premier rock & roll band of Manhattan currently! They are a touring act that has a full-length LP entitled Mattson out and are now on the record label, Dumb Ghost Recording Enterprises. Their heavy but poppy sounds might remind some of bands such as Cheap Trick, Soul Asylum, and The Replacements.
Listen to Headlight Rivals
July 28
Opener- The Blackbird Fields
From: Manhattan
The Blackbird Fields is a very enjoyable local act for all ages and also have a good local pull around Manhattan. They are a Blues/Rock fusion much like The Black Keys or White Stripes. They are lyrically driven and put out a lot of sound for just a guitar and a drum set!
Listen to The Blackbird Fields
Headliner- Wayne Gottstine
From: Kansas
Wayne Gottstine is a local legend with bands from Lawrence that have a great pull around here as he is very respected in Manhattan and the surrounding areas. He was one of the founding members of Split Lip Rayfield. He is a folk, rock, and bluegrass musician who is no stranger to national touring.
Listen to Wayne Gottstine
