Before I had ever been to Lowe Mill, I had heard about the Concerts on the Dock. I was not really sure what it was all about, though it sounded pretty cool…but…

Was a back dock of a historic old mill someplace I would want to hang out on a Friday night?

The Friday that Changed My Mind

It turns out, YES! The Concerts on the Dock is a GREAT place to hang out! Here’s how I found out.

One Friday afternoon while at Lowe Mill (I had moved into my studio there few months before) I saw some activity on one side of the back dock….

• Instruments were being set up
• People were busy hooking up wires and lights
• And there was definitely some excitement in the air.

Then I saw the grassy area in front of the dock was starting to fill up with people! They were…

• Setting up chairs
• Blankets
• Coolers.

Sidewalk chalk and hoola hoops appeared!

Kids started playing…

it reminded me a lot of a block party or neighborhood party from when I was growing up.

I don’t know about your current neighborhood, but mine, though nice, is not at all into being outside (except to mow the lawn). And that’s a shame, because our kids have really missed out on that community aspect…but that’s another post altogether.

Welcome Home

The Concerts on the Back Dock experience is all about hanging out with friends and/or family in a really cool place, listening to some really good music – about half of the bands that perform are local. Like everything else at Lowe Mill, there is a genuine sense of welcome and friendliness.

It’s not always easy to find something the whole family can do together other than go out to eat or go to a movie on a Friday night, and with the longer days of Spring and Summer, being outside in the cool dusk and early evening is soooo appealing. It’s also a great way to catch up with friends….and it ends early enough that your group can still go out afterwards.

Concerts on the Dock: April Line-Up

Music style ranges from Blues to Reggae and everything in between, and you’ll no doubt see your favorite local talent at some point. Oh, and I should mention that it’s FREE! This is the perfect, laid-back way to start the weekend! The music goes from 6-9pm every Friday from April – October.

• April 6: Kush Reggae Band
• April 13: Mandolin Orange
• April 20: Microwave Dave and the Nukes
• April 27: XVSK, drums and cello

The photos above were taken by Suzi of Love it Out Photography (studio 114) from a concert last year featuring Kush (who happens to be playing this Friday!) I love the Concerts and I really love that they are at Lowe Mill!