FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
April 6, 2022
Lisa Clemmons Stott, Coordinator, 217-331-2926
Sheila Walk, SAAC, 217-753-3519
Kayla Graven, DSI, 217-544-1723
Lynn Saputo, Park District, 217-544-1751 x1002
Julia Frevert, City of Springfield, 217-789-2235
Scott Troehler, DSHF, 217-816-7166
Jenna Broom, Springfield Jaycees, 217-414-3654
LEVITT AMP SPRINGFIELD MUSIC SERIES KICKS OFF SEASON THREE
Presented by PNC, free summer concerts to feature live music from diverse performers around the country
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - The Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series is returning for a third season starting June 2 through August 4. Presented by PNC, the 10-week live concert series will feature a diverse lineup of high-caliber performers from across the country. The free concerts will begin at 6 p.m. every Thursday in the vacant Y block north of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion. For a full schedule and information about the artists, visit levittampspringfield.org.
“We are thrilled to renew our support for a lineup of performances that will help bring together our neighbors, their families, and attract visitors to the heart of downtown Springfield,” said Brian Ray, PNC regional president of Central Illinois. “The varied talent showcased in this series is a perfect example of how the arts can
enrich and ultimately build stronger, more vibrant communities.”
Organizers have also created a new program for the 2022 season called “Dance Intermission” where local and regional dance troupes will perform during the half-hour intermission between the opening and headline music acts each night.
“From vacant to vibrant—transforming the Y Block into a welcoming destination reflects the power of a community’s collective reimagination of a public space,” said Sharon Yazowski, executive director of the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation. “We’re excited to see the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series continue
to grow in its third year, bringing joy to people of all ages and backgrounds through free live concerts, while also fueling the rebirth of the Y Block as a central gathering place where the community can come together all year long.”
The music series is part of the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation’s national Levitt AMP network of 18 locations which produce nearly 200 free summer concerts around the U.S. The ability to organize an event free to the public is made possible through generous support from sponsors, including a matching grant from
the Levitt Foundation, and a production partnership between the Springfield Area Arts Council, Downtown Springfield Inc, Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation, Springfield Park District, Springfield Jaycees, and the City of Springfield, among others.
The public is invited to host picnics and bring blankets and lawn chairs. Food trucks and beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Local restaurants will be open for takeout service as well.
In its first season, the 2019 concert series attracted more than 7,700 attendees and was voted “Best Free Entertainment” by Illinois Times readers. The second season, originally scheduled for summer of 2020 but postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19, attracted more than 18,000 fans.
Other generous sponsors include Stage Sponsor Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Venue Sponsors Illinois REALTORS and US Bank, and Series Sponsors Springfield Clinic, Memorial Health, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, Wyndham Springfield City Centre, and Pole Barn Chic. Supporting Sponsors include Orthopedic Center of Illinois, Dave & Val Leonatti, Nightsounds on NPR Illinois, Craig Russo Music, Sangamon Mass Transit District, Urban Action Network, and Republic Services.
Concert sponsors include FitClub, the Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce/The Springfield Project, Kerber Eck & Braeckel, Conn's Hospitality, Heartland Coca Cola, Cavanagh & O’Hara, Encore Consulting, Best Version Media, Senator Doris Turner, and Dumb Records.
Other sponsors include La Piazza Cucina Italiana, Star Graphics & Media, Juneteenth Celebration Committee, Alderman Shawn Gregory, Alderwoman Lakeisha Purchase, Alderwoman Kristin DiCenso, Alderwoman Erin Conley, Treasurer Misty Buscher, Springfield Youth Performance Group, State Representative Tim Butler, Alderman Joe McMenamin and Mayor Jim Langfelder.
Those interested in volunteering at the concerts should contact the Springfield Jaycees at spfldjaycees@gmail.com.
For information about the performance schedule, and upcoming announcements on the opening bands and Dance Intermission performances, visit levittampspringfield.org. For timely updates to the schedule and changes due to inclement weather, please follow Levitt AMP Springfield on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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About PNC Bank
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking,
real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.
For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com
About The Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series
The Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a private foundation that partners with towns and cities across America to activate underused public spaces, creating thriving and inclusive destinations where people of all ages and backgrounds come together through the power of free, live music. In 2022, free Levitt concerts will bring a broad array of musical experiences and high-caliber artists to communities nationwide. Learn more at levitt.org
MORE ATTRACTIONS FOR SEASON THREE:
● The Springfield Park District will be hosting children’s activities during each evening of the concerts.
● On June 2nd, Senator Doris Turner will host Jazzy Senior Night with AARP, Abundant Faith Christian Center, AgeLinc, Fresh Visions Senior Ministry, GANT Senior Ministry, and Timberlake Estates.
● On June 16th, the Juneteenth Celebration Committee and Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting the first night of a weekend-long celebration of Juneteenth, also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, as it commemorates the last slave becoming free on June 19, 1865. The Juneteenth Celebration includes a Friday night event at the Illinois State Museum and Saturday and Sunday activities at Comer Cox Park.
● On June 30th, the Springfield Jaycees will host their annual fireworks after the
performances, presented by Pole Barn Chic.
● SMTD will be partnering with Levitt AMP Springfield to remind concert-goers that bus services take you to the fun! Currently, Night Service Route 903 serves the Y block after 6PM returning to transfer connecting to the 901, 902 and 905. For up to-the-minute Thursday night routes to downtown, visit www.smtd.org.
● Organizers are coordinating a 10-booth Makers’ Row in addition to food and beverage vendors.
● The Faith Coalition for the Common Good's N to sake Women's Leadership team will be conducting grassroots outreach to invite citizens to the concerts.