Swinging Summer concert series coming to Ritz

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, June 8, 2011

This summer, Ritz-Carlton Lodge and Reynolds Plantation will team up for their Swinging Summer Concert Series, complete with a stunning array of fireworks. The family-friendly assortment activities are the perfect way to shake off the woes of the school year and indulge in the happiness that comes from a well-planned vacation or “stay-cation.” The summer concert series will take place from 7:30 to 10 p.m. and will be followed by a fireworks display. A list of bands for the community every Sunday has been booked and  June 12, The Tommy Talton Band will be actively engaging listeners with Talton’s classic slide and guitar work, and highly distinctive vocals, along with passionate songwriting. The Tommy Talton Band fits in well with the Summer Concert Series as his live performances appeal to all ages, as evidenced by the wide age range of audiences at the band’s live performances. Listeners can expect to hear music from numerous genres including Tommy Talton originals, blues, southern rock and country rock to Americana, R&B and soul.

Gino Marasco, the director of sales and marketing for The Ritz-Carlton, has been actively planning the summer concert series for months. The event, which he hopes to make an annual one, has already started off with a terrific bang, much like the fireworks show after the concert.

“This whole thing came about because we wanted to liven up the end of the weekend, and keep the atmosphere going into the week. We’ve done a lot to activate the lake, so to speak, with Jet Ski rentals, and pontoon boats, and this was another way to give visitors something fun to do on the weekend. We do fireworks every 4th of July, and it is always very well attended so we thought, ‘Why not? Let’s take a leap of faith,” Marasco said.

The Ritz-Carlton has booked bands until August 28, and Shannon Turner who frequents the Hilton-Head area scene will be the summer’s grand finale. For those who have boats, the show is absolutely free, and boaters can enjoy the festivities on the water. For others, a simple $10 parking charge per vehicle covers the evening. Food and beverages can also be purchased at the Ritz-Carlton’s restaurant, Gaby’s by the Lake, as well as the Beach Buggy, which offers snacks, drinks and snow cones. The shows will take place at the hotel’s newly constructed lakeside Pergola, adding to the glamour of the concert and hotel.

For those who are enjoying the excitement of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, a special “Fireworks Package” is offered for guests.

“The package for the guest room starts off at $289 a night, and includes valet parking for one vehicle, a snack pack for the fireworks and concert, a lake view room, as well as wine for two. The concert can be viewed from the lake view room, or our guests can go out on to the lawn and enjoy the show even closer,” Marasco said.

On Memorial Day Weekend, the concert boasted about 175 people and 20 to 30 boats were also in attendance. Chairs are not provided, and visitors are urged to bring their own chairs and blankets.

“The great thing about where we are having the concert is that it isn’t at eye level. It has a natural stadium seating so there really isn’t a bad seat on the lawn. Seeing everyone having such a great time was really incredible and everyone had a great time,” Marasco said.

Every band contracted has a different type of style and is very family-orientated, something that Marasco said was very important to the Ritz-Carlton. The shows will take place every Sunday through Aug. 28. The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation is located at One Lake Oconee Trail in Greensboro, and more information can be obtained by logging on to their website at www.RitzCarltonLodge.com or by calling (706) 467-0600.