Who’s playing the Wilsonville Rotary’s Summer Concert series?
Published 2:55 pm Friday, May 9, 2025
- Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts headlined the concert, playing rock n' roll songs from the 1950's and 1960's in 2024. The band has played at the Rotary's summer concerts for 20 years. (File photo)
An Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band, a farewell performance and more are in store for Wilsonville residents for the Rotary Club of Wilsonville’s 2025 summer concerts.
The annual concerts will be held in Town Center Park on the last three Thursdays in July and first Thursday in August. The opening bands, which have not yet been announced, will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the headliners beginning at 6:30 p.m.
While the concerts are free, residents have the opportunity to donate to End Polio now, with contributions matched two-for-one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The first concert on Thursday, July 17 will feature Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts, performing covers of hits from the 1950s and 1960s and stopping in Wilsonville on their farewell tour this year. The band began “as a party gag” in 1978, but has since performed throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond at fairs, concert halls, corporate parties and more, according to the biography on the Rotary’s website. The band has shared the stage with Chuck Berry, the Mamas and the Papas, and others.
On Thursday, July 24, the concert will feature Kalimba, an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band based in the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception in 2011, the 10-piece group has grown to have a full-horn section and performs hits like “Shining Star,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “September.” The band has also collaborated with former Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist Sheldon Reynolds, who praised the group for playing the music “like it’s supposed to be played,” according to the Rotary’s website.
Hit Machine, which covers songs by artists ranging from the Bee Gees to Prince and AC/DC, will perform on Thursday, July 31. It has played throughout the Portland metro area, including the Fort Vancouver Fireworks show and several Blazer playoff games.
The concert series will conclude with the Norman Sylvester Band on Thursday, Aug. 7. “Boogie Cat” Norman Sylvester has performed with B.B King, Buddy Guy, Tower of Power and more, performing “hot, funky blues, R&B and original music.”
More information on the summer concerts can be found on the Rotary Club of Wilsonville’s website.
