Westmoreland Cultural Trust's TGIS concerts include new acts, old favorites

Josh Jams, a one-man jam band with an improvised set list driven by audience requests, will kick off the 18th season of TGIS (Thank Goodness It’s Summer), the popular outdoor summer concert series hosted by Westmoreland Cultural Trust.

The free series opens at 6 p.m. Thursday on the lawn of the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road.

Concerts will continue weekly through Aug. 18, with music until 9 p.m. and food and beverages available beginning at 5 p.m.

Returning favorites include Gary Pratt, Hamilton Avenue and The Bricks, while The Living Street, An Evening With, Colin Southfield & The Mushroom Country Band and Artistree will join the lineup for the first time. Genres represented include country, alternative acoustic, rock and blues.

“TGIS is about highlighting local musicians (and allowing guests to) discover all the tremendous talent we have in our area,” said April Kopas, Trust CEO. “The bands enjoy having an enthusiastic audience and look forward to the event each year.”

Two food trucks will be on site each week. Participating eateries are Elegant Catering, Revival, Yovi’s, Western Edge Seafood, Michele’s Mobile Meals, Miss Meatball, Benvenuti, Speals on Wheels and Revival.

Bella Terra Vineyards and Sobel’s Obscure Brewery will sell locally made beer and wine on June 9 and 23, July 14 and Aug. 11.

The June 23 TGIS will be a special Craft Beer and Country Music event, in partnership with Greensburg Craft Beer Week.

Sobel’s Obscure Brewery, Quinn Brewing and another yet-to-be-named craft brewery will be on site, along with Bella Terra Vineyards. Colin Southfield & The Mushroom Country Band will perform.

“We drive all the way from Nashville back to our hometown each year for this beautiful outdoor series,” said C.T. Fields, who performs with wife Alexandra Naples as Willow Hill. The Greensburg natives now perform in Nashville and in various locations around the Caribbean.

“The support Greensburg shows for original music is literally the reason we are able to tour 200 days a year now,” Fields said.

On the Aug. 18 closing night of TGIS, Fields said, “We’ll be playing a ton of songs from the new record we’re working on.”

Fans of Greensburg’s singing florist, Gary Pratt, will be treated to a night of new music during his June 16 gig.

“It’s a brand new show with all new songs. I have a new album, and my songs have really been taking off,” he said. “I’ve been doing (TGIS) for so many years, and it’s something I always look forward to.”

Pratt will be joined by his frequent singing partner, Kate Szallar, along with Tim Bush and Mike Scimmi of Hamilton Avenue.

“The Woods Family Band has a loyal following of fans that love when we perform outdoors,” said Tim Woods, who plays with his sons in the group. “Playing outside is a favorite of ours.”

Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket; no seating is provided. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

Attendees are encouraged to register beginning the Monday prior to each week’s show at westmorelandculturaltrust.org, although walk-ins will be welcome.

Registrants will be entered into a weekly drawing for prizes and will be guaranteed a space if the performance is moved indoors due to inclement weather.

TGIS performers and food purveyors include:

• June 2: Josh Jams (one-man jam band), Elegant Catering and Revival

• June 9: Woods Family Band (roots rock/blues/Americana), Elegant Catering and Yovi’s

• June 16: Gary Pratt (country), Elegant Catering and Western Edge Seafood

• June 23: Colin Southfield & The Mushroom Country Band (country), Elegant Catering and Michele’s Mobile Meals

• June 30: An Evening With (Allman Brothers Band tribute), Elegant Catering and Benvenuti

• June 7: The String Theory (alternative acoustic), Elegant Catering and Michele’s Mobile Meals

• July 14: The Living Street (folk rock), Elegant Catering and Miss Meatball

• June 21: Hamilton Avenue (acoustic classic rock), Elegant Catering and Speals on Wheels

• July 28: The Bricks (acoustic trio), Elegant Catering and Revival

• Aug. 4: Artistree (dance band) Elegant Catering and Benvenuti food trucks

• Aug. 11: Miss Freddye’s Homecookin Band (acoustic rock, blues, gospel), Elegant Catering and Yovi’s

• Aug. 18: Willow Hill (pop/country), Elegant Catering and Benvenuti.