![The Donnis Trio was the opening act at the Del Mar Summer Twilight Concert on June 28, 2022.
The Donnis Trio was the opening act at the Del Mar Summer Twilight Concert on June 28, 2022.](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DMT-L-twilight062024-01.jpg?w=525)
In 1982, with the Del Mar Foundation (DMF) in its infancy, Mayor Lou Terrell, in his role as a founding director of DMF, began working with an enthusiastic group of volunteers to plan the first-ever Summer Twilight Concerts, which took place in the summer of 1983 in Seagrove Park because Powerhouse Park didn’t yet exist.
Now, more than four decades later, the series still brings families, friends and neighbors together to picnic, enjoy music, and take in Del Mar’s trademark ocean views and sunsets. The 2024 summer concerts will take place June 25, July 9, July 23, and Aug. 13, beginning at 6 p.m. with Zel’s Opening Act, followed at 7 p.m. with the main attraction.
The festivities will begin on June 25 with Zel’s Opening Act, The Microblades, an all-female powerhouse trio, who won the 2024 San Diego Music Awards’ (SDMA) Pop Song of the Year for “Cowboy.” At 7 p.m. the main attraction, San Diego’s Daring Greatly, winners of the 2023 SDMA Song of the Year award for “Never A Goodbye,” and nominee for SDMA’s 2024 Best Rock Artist hits the stage.
On July 9, The Tourmaliners, a dynamic surf guitar band that blends the guitar sounds of Dick Dale, Link Wray and The Ventures with fun danceable tiki vibrations and spy gyrations, will open for The Jimmy’s Buffet, “the world’s bestest and funnest celebration of Jimmy Buffett’s music and vibes.”
On July 23, Sage Sam, a singer/songwriter, opens with music that brings together digital synths, pop elements, warm guitars and rich bass to produce a modern sound with a hint of California vibes. The main act, Desperado, has become one of the best and most well known Eagles tributes in the United States.
On Aug. 13, the Zel’s Opening Act will be Jenn Howard, whose aesthetic draws from the second line swagger of her beloved hometown of New Orleans’ brass and funk band heritages, and the storytelling traditions of country and folk. Closing out the 2024 series will be The Walrus, who are again traveling to Del Mar from New Orleans after wowing the crowd last summer with the music of the Beatles.
Local business sponsors this year, whose financial support make these shows possible, include D’Arcy Capital Management, Del Mar Car Care, Jake’s Del Mar, Monarch Ocean Pub, Poseidon Restaurant, Rande Turner Collective, and Zel’s Del Mar.
“These shows are a result of months of planning – as well as non-stop work on the day of the concerts – from many volunteers; generous financial support from DMF’s donors, local business sponsors, and the County of San Diego; along with close coordination and preparation with the City,” said Hylton Lonstein, president of the Del Mar Foundation, in a news release. “On behalf of all who attend and enjoy the concerts, I’d like to say thank you to all whose contributions create such an amazing experience. It’s going to be a great summer!”
Visit delmarfoundation.org for more information. — Del Mar Foundation news release
![Attendees at the first Del Mar Summer Twilight Concert of the 2022 season.](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/DMT-L-twiconcert062024-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)