Over the next four Friday nights, the City of Lake Charles will be celebrating the 25th Downtown at Sundown concert series.

Starting May 19, from 6 to 9 p.m., locals will have the opportunity to enjoy local food, shop local artisans and dance to local music.

Amanda Donaldson, Director of Cultural Affairs for the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, believes that the concert series is a heartbeat of Southwest Louisiana. “Downtown at Sundown has fostered a sense of community by bringing neighbors, families and friends together for 25 years now,” she explained. “It’s a chance to connect, socialize and enjoy quality time together in the heart of Downtown Lake Charles.”

She said it is “a chance to make memories.”

The planning for this series started last year. “The Cultural Affairs Division starts planning the event as soon as the last band’s set is over from the previous year…We give thought to many local and regional musicians and entertainers that would offer our community an unforgettable performance.”

Donaldson said that the SWLA has a rich talent pool, so the hardest part of finding musicians was narrowing it down. “Thankfully, Lake Charles is home to many music festivals and concerts,” she said. “It’s easy to discover a hidden gem on a concert poster, all you have to do is listen.”

The roster is jam-packed with genre-spanning – rock, zydeco, pop, country and blues to name a few – talent. On May 19, the “King of the Rockin’ Blues” Gregg Wright will take the stage.

Wright’s merits speak for themselves. He is an inductee into the Louisiana Hall of Fame and received the 2019 “Living Legends” Blues Award.

The next Friday, May 26, Mason Trail and Zydeco Rhythm will perform, bringing the preserved tradition of authentic zydeco music to Downtown Lake Charles.

June 2 is dedicated to local service men and women, as well as those who support the Fort Polk community. Lafayette-based musicians Nicki & the People’s Victory will be performing music infused with southern Americana and influences from Nicki Needham’s family.

The closing Friday, June 9, will be jam-packed. The last night of Downtown and Sundown has been named “Geaux Blue Friday,”  and will celebrate McNeese State University.

Rowdy will be in attendance, and patrons are encouraged to don their best McNeese attire.

 Gino V., a musician with a musical style that has “funk flair with a rock and roll attitude” will perform an opening set, slated to end at 7:15 p.m.

After the opening performance, the GoldenBelles, McNeese student-led dance group, will take the stage.

To close out the celebration, the Charlie Wayne Band will begin playing at 7:40 p.m. to bring the community a mix of country and rock music.

Throughout the series, a Kids Zone featuring pop-up booths from The Creative Corner, The Children’s Museum of SWLA and games from the City’s Recreation and Parks Department will be set up for the younger audience members.

To keep patrons fueled, a variety of familiar food trucks will be parked and ready to serve. “Our loyal art and food market vendors come back every year with bigger and better merchandise and menu items,” said Donaldson. “We count on them to make the event unique to Lake Charles.”

Downtown at Sundown’s beverage sales will benefit the Literacy Council of SWLA, which provides local adults programming to improve their literacy skills and lives.  “They do so much for our community, so it’s fitting they play an important, visible role in the concert series,” said Donaldson.

The series is free and open to the public. Free admission ensures entertainment is accessible to everyone, she said. “The inclusivity allows people from all walks of life to enjoy live music and SWLA culture.”