Holladay’s Fourth of July celebration kicked off Holladay’s annual free concert series at Holladay City Hall Park with the Charley Jenkins band performing patriotic country hits. This year’s Secret Suburb Concert Series—a hidden gem in Holladay—is presented by the Holladay Arts Council in partnership with Excellence in the Community and sponsored by Holladay Bank & Trust. The series of concerts celebrates connection through music by bringing the community together for two months of summer evening entertainment and family fun. 

Jeff Whiteley, founder and managing director of the nonprofit organization Excellence in the Community, has partnered with Holladay City for the last eight years to produce eight Saturday evening concerts held at Holladay City Hall Park.

“I’m a Utah musician, and Excellence in the Community works to elevate the image of Utah talent,” Whiteley said. “Our premise is that Utah has fabulous talent resources in every genre. We sit down with the Holladay Arts Council, and they ask for my suggestions, which I provide. They then make their suggestions. We check out different groups and come up with a program.”

Saturday evening music filled the air with over 1,000 residents spread out across the Holladay Park lawn on blankets and camp chairs. The Charley Jenkins Band took the stage at 8 p.m. Jenkins invited the audience to come forward and participate in the electric slide line dance. He called out the steps, and the participants quickly caught on as the band launched into "Achy Breaky Heart," a country hit originally sung by Billy Ray Cyrus. 

National two-time fiddle champion Grace Monson stepped forward with her fiddle and drew her bow across the D and A strings in a plaintive double stop, mimicking the sound of the rumble of a train engine firing up. Two pizzicato plucks followed and the clanging train bell sounded. Monson then launched into the fiddle tune "Orange Blossom Special."   

The fast-paced fiddle piece picked up speed with rapid-fire bowing, signaling that the luxurious "Orange Blossom Special" passenger train was starting up and gaining momentum as it began to race down the tracks. A crowd of dancers near the stage kept up with the accelerating tempo, executing some impressive slides, turns and skip dance steps. 

Excellence in the Community concerts are offered to the public at no charge.

“The vision of Excellence in the Community is to make high-quality music available to everyone, regardless of income,” Whiteley said. “I want every little kid to grow up and say, ‘In Utah, we have great mountains, we have great skiing, and we have great music.’ That’s a gift we can give future generations.”

The country music concert led up to a fireworks show bringing the night time celebration to a close. 

Summer concert series lineup:

7/4 - Charley Jenkins: Patriotic country hits

7/12 - Hot House West Sing Orchestra: Big band swing spectacle

7/19 - Changing Lanes: Motown and soul tribute

7/26 - Will Baxter Band: Eric Clapton tribute

8/2 - Alicia Wrigley Quartet: Carole King jazz tribute

8/9 - The PickPockets: Bluegrass that breaks ground

8/16 - Senxao: High-energy Latin fusion

8/23 - The Discographers: Eighties teen movie hits

Concerts typically begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise specified, and please note that bands are subject to change without notice. Concerts are located in the Holladay City Hall Park, 4580 S. 2300 East.  

For additional information visit the Holladay Arts Council website at www.holladayarts.org.

This year’s Holladay Arts Council concert series celebrates connection through music by bringing the community together for two months of summer evening entertainment and family fun. (Collette Hayes/City Journals)