Arts in the Parks was started to give not only the community a free, musical and arts experience during the warm weather of the summer season, but to also give artists a chance to showcase their talent. Along with a performer, each Arts in the Park event showcases a local artists visual work.

“This is an opportunity for people in the community and area to showcase their talent and what they’re doing,” said MACA Executive Director Justin Anderson. “It’s been going on for many years now and we want to keep it going because it’s a nice thing for Minot to have.”

Every concert is free, family-friendly event. Taking place in the park, Anderson explains, makes it easier to stop by or leave early if wanted. Everyone is just invited to take advantage of the performances and stop by.

Concerts will take place every Thursday and Sunday from June 2 through Aug. 8 with a few Tuesday concerts placed throughout. Each concert will feature a local performer and a visual artist with food vendors at many of them.

Submitted Photo Arts in the Parks returns for another year for a summer filled with musical concerts at Oak Park. The long list of performers will take their turns on the stage every Thursday and Sunday with a few Tuesday concerts planned.

For the 2019 Arts in the Parks season, MACA will be doing something new: partnering with nonprofits in the community.

“We’ve always done the whole pass the hat for donations to MACA,” explained Anderson. “This summer we’re partnering with a couple non-profits in the community that’ll be involved, help with volunteers and some promotion, and at the end of the night when we’ve partnered with a nonprofit for that concert, those donations will then be split between MACA and that nonprofit.”

Anderson says it’s an opportunity to not only bring awareness to Arts in the Parks, but also to other entities that are so important to the community.

In total, Arts in the Parks is expected to have 23 performers take the stage to entertain audiences.

“We’ve got a lot of the ones people have come to expect at Arts in the Parks and we’ve got a few new faces as well, which will be exciting,” Anderson said.

Performers expected are classics such as the City Band, Voices of Note, JMB Band and more. Chloe Marie and Daniel Starks are both scheduled to return for another year too. Closing out the 2019 season will be Soulshine, which Anderson expects will be a nice and big concert.

New performers taking the stage will include Vanity Plate, Songbirds of North America, Jessie Vetter and more.

“We will also have Rinat’s dance studio there for one concert to do a dance show. That’ll be a lot of fun,” said Anderson.

“We’ve got a lot of the ones people have come to expect…and we’ve got a few new faces as well, which will be exciting.”

Anderson says that MACA is very thankful for the partnership with Minot Parks District and being able to bring Arts in the Parks out every year.

“This has become and continues to be a really great partnership between the Minot Area Council of the Arts, a small nonprofit Arts council, and the Minot Parks District. They help us out a lot,” he said.

More information on upcoming concerts can be found the Minot Area Council of the Arts Facebook page.