Around Town

Hot Summer Nights Heat Up Old Town

Friday and Saturday nights are hotter than ever, as Hot Summer Nights and Movie Classics in the Park return to Temecula.

Now through August 29th, every Friday night from 6 to 10pm, the streets and patios of Front Street transform into a rockin’ street party.

Music fills the Old Town air as bands of all different genres line the sidewalk, restaurant parking lots and in front of the town square. Crowds of visitors sway with the beat and the sweet smell of kettle corn is undeniable.

Each Friday evening’s entertainment schedule is different, with each night featuring bands of a particular musical style. From big band to reggae to zydeco and beyond, there’s always something for everyone.

If all of this isn’t enough to keep your feet tapping, specials guest performers including glee clubs, dance companies and even lounge singers beckon patrons to Old Town restaurants; further boosting the business of the recently rejuvenated dining and entertainment district.

As an example of some of the tremendous entertainment options Hot Summer Nights brings to Temecula, the roster on August 8th includes the Northern California-based rock and roll trio, Reckless in Vegas; taking the stage at Old Town Pub & Grub.

“We do all the music that was made famous in the sixties, but we do sort of a modern, edgy twist to it,” Reckless in Vegas front man, Michael Shapiro, said during a recent interview.” We sort of take Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, all those sort of songs that were made famous back then, and we’ve done new arrangements for them but the lyrics and the melodies are true to the originals.”

Adorned in newly pressed suits, Reckless in Vegas takes the music of the Rat Pack and combines it with current hits for a completely unique sound.

“There are a few mash ups we do,” Shapiro said. “For example, we do Frank Sinatra’s ‘Very Good Year,’ but the music is Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit.’ Or, we will do Sammy Davis Jr’s. ‘Mr. Bojangles’ but we put in Hendrix’s ‘Manic Depression.’”

Dynamite Dave at Hot Summer Nights

Dynamite Dave has been entertaining Temecula for over a decade.

In addition to musical acts, Friday’s Hot Summer Nights will also feature family fun, including jolly jumpers, “Wow Bubbles” walk on water bubbles, and balloon animals, courtesy of Dynamite Dave, the pirate clown, who has been delighting kids in Old Town for over a decade.

“It’s really kind of sad but, the night before, I don’t sleep very good because I get so excited about being here,” he said. “It’s probably my twelfth year being out here and it’s always so much fun with the families and the kids.”

Family activities vary week to week so check the City of Temecula’s schedule for more information.

If you still have energy left the next day, on Saturdays the fun continues with “Saturday Night Movie Classics at the Park.”

“Saturday Night Movie Classics are a way to show some classic movies to a younger generation who have never seen them or never got to see them on the big screen,” Dawn Adamiak, City of Temecula Recreation Supervisor, said during a recent interview.

The movies in the park schedule includes:

  • Aug 2nd Casablanca at Town Square Park
  • Aug 9th Breakfast at Tiffany’s at Sam Hicks Park
  • Aug 16th Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid at Town Square Park
  • Aug 23rd One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at Town Square Park

All movies begin at dusk. More information on all events can be found on the City of Temecula website.

Whether it’s a chance to rock out in Old Town or catch a movie classic with the family, Hot Summer Nights in Temecula are the hottest free tickets in town.

Temecula Hot Summer Nights

Fridays from 6-10 in Old Town Temecula
Saturday Night Movie Classics in the Park (check the City of Temecula website schedule)

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Holly Herndon

Holly Herndon

Holly has been covering arts & entertainment in the Temecula Valley for as long as she has been a part of the community. She loves San Diego sports almost as much as she loves her family.

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