The popular Idyllwild Summer Concert Series looks as if it will take place this summer, beginning on Thursday, July 6, and running for the customary eight weeks.
Ken Dahleen’s longstanding summer entertainment staple looked doubtful for this summer, inasmuch as its many-season home, the Idyllwild Community Center site, would be closed for construction throughout the summer of 2017.
Dahleen had been reassured by the board of the San Jacinto Mountain Community Center (ICC governance) that ISCS summer entertainment would resume at the new ICC Amphitheater in July 2018.
But now, with an agreement in principle with the Johnson brothers, Jay and Steve, with interest and likely support from Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Chuck Washington’s office and staff, and plans for Southern California Edison to install sufficient power to run the series, Dahleen said it seems as if the series is a “go.”
The location will be the Johnson property directly across from the ICC site. The stage will be located on the south side of the property facing north toward the audience.
“There are still roadblocks that could present problems — the cost of installing power on the property, as well as time and cost of county permitting processes — but I’m proceeding forward at this time,” said Dahleen.
Assuming all infrastructure preparation and permits are affordable and can be executed in time, the series would begin at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, July 6, and run for eight weeks.
Those interested in becoming series sponsors or providing financial support should contact Dahleen at 951-659-2229 and/or mail checks directly to the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series at P.O. Box 1542, Idyllwild, CA 92549.
Each year, Dahleen and his board begin the series by contracting with headliners and supporting acts even before they have sufficient capital to fund the series. The community has always played a huge part in helping to finance this free concert series dedicated to providing summer entertainment for locals.
This year, with less of a head start than in previous years, sponsorships are increasingly important. “Also, the series will be much more expensive this year because of the extraordinary one-time-only extra costs of providing power and obtaining county permits,” said Dahleen.