By Siri Osborne
For the Apple Valley Review
APPLE VALLEY — Dancing and laughter brought people together on a warm Thursday night at Civic Center Plaza where families and friends were given a little taste of the ‘60s during the Town’s weekly Sunset Concert Series.
Stone Soul, a Motown cover group, performed in front of hundreds of energetic people, who were settled in on the lawn for a night full of classic Motown music.
Though it wasn’t the band’s first rodeo, so to speak.
“We play at a bunch of free parks for summer concerts,” singer Matt Grey told the Apple Valley Review.
Cover songs by the Temptations, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and other beloved Motown singers had people dancing and clapping, from toddlers to senior citizens. The audience's vivacity reached a crescendo when the band played the Temptations’ “My Girl” and Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman.”
“Everything about Motown music is great. I love it all so much,” audience member and Helendale resident Deborah Noel said.
Many people had brought out blankets and chairs to the park, allowing them to choose their seating in the grass area.
The event had attracted many residents like Christine Bethell who has attended the concert series a few times before with both her family and friends. Another concert-goer Joseph Murillo found out about the event on facebook and thought it was a great idea to bring his family.
“This is a great event for the community to bring together friends and families,” said Bethell.
Along with the live entertainment, the park hosted a variety of food trucks and stands like Ricki’s Tacos, Archuletas and ice cream vendors to name a few.
With temperatures in the 90s, many children took to the nearby pool while others ate, danced and socialized to the funky tunes that Stone Soul was churning out.
The Los Angeles-based band formed in 2000, where they fell in love with performing the Motown classics. The soulful group travels all throughout Southern California for performances.
“The music is awesome and we really are like a family — that’s the best part,” said Rex Merryweather, Stone Soul group member.
This summer concert affair is celebrating its 10th year and will continue to give locals something to look forward to this summer every Thursday through Aug. 11.
“It's a really nice event,”Joseph Murillo said. “It's something you don't get out here often.”