Watsonville Music in the Plaza series returns Friday – Santa Cruz Sentinel

Watsonville City Plaza, home of the Music in the Plaza summer concert series. (Nick Sestanovich – Santa Cruz Sentinel file)

WATSONVILLE – The summer concert season has begun, which means music lovers everywhere have the opportunity to experience live music.

Yes, that includes those who don’t have the time or money to see big-name artists in amphitheaters or stadiums. Watsonville will once again offer residents the opportunity to attend concerts downtown for free with the return of its Music in the Plaza series.

Starting Friday and every first and third Friday of the month through September 6, Watsonville City Plaza will host seven different bands representing a variety of genres, playing a lively mix of music that is sure to get the crowd moving.

It kicks off Friday with a musical tribute to Selena, the Tejano pop singer who had four consecutive No. 1 hits on Billboard’s U.S. Latin charts in 1994, won a Grammy for her 1993 album “Selena Live!” and gained a loyal following that continues long after her murder in 1995 at age 23.

On July 5, two local mariachi bands will perform: Grupo Fuerza Mx from Salinas and La Distancia de Tierra from Watsonville. Organizers describe it as a “friendly musical showdown between two local groups.”

On July 19th, the Mojo Faux Band will perform, a group specializing in rock and soul party songs.

The variety continues on August 5 with the 5 Star Band, an Anaheim group that plays golden oldies by artists such as Chuck Berry, Wilson Pickett, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, The Drifters, Van Morrison and others.

Next up on August 19 is D-Kovers, a Bay Area quartet with members from Mexico, Argentina and the United States, playing a mix of ’80s, ’90s and 21st century rock songs, all in Spanish.

The series concludes on September 6 with the Roots Rockers, a local band playing popular reggae tunes.

All concerts will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Plaza, 358 Main St., Watsonville. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets or pick up food from local restaurants. Additionally, the concerts will be held at the end of the Watsonville Certified Farmers Market, so concertgoers will have food options there as well.

For more information, visit Watsonville.gov/1804/Music-in-the-Plaza.