People’s Park hosts live music for lunch

The sun shone bright Tuesday on People’s Park as people enjoyed their lunch outdoors while listening to the smooth sounds of live jazz piano.\nThe People’s Park Tuesday Lunch Concert Series is in full swing as part of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation’s summer 2008 Performing Arts Series, which ends Sept. 30. \nThe seven-year-old series at People’s Park features local Bloomington musicians. Bloomington is home to the prestigous Jacobs School of Music and, as a result, the town is also home to talented performers.\n“There are a lot of local artists so it’s really great to give them a chance to shine,” said Bloomington Parks and Recreation Community Events Specialist Sarah Nix. “And to get people out in the parks.”\nLocated in the middle of the downtown area at the northeast corner of Kirkwood Avenue and North Dunn Street, the park attracts a lot of people looking for something to do or somewhere to eat. \nSteve Walker, a visitor to Bloomington, was happy to stumble upon the event and get a taste of Bloomington’s culture. \n“I’ve been told Bloomington has a bit of everything,” Walker said. “It’s a nice atmosphere, no one’s in a hurry. It’s a good diversion from fast-paced life.”\nFor Kim Deckard, a Bloomington resident who works in an office near People’s Park, it is a great way to take a break from the workday and get to know some of Bloomington’s local musicians.\n“It gets people out of the office or fast food restaurant,” Deckard said. “It’s a good chance to hear local Bloomington artists I’ve never heard of before.”\nIU Jacobs school of Music graduate Craig Brenner played in People’s Park Tuesday. As a musician Brenner said he enjoys being apart of a community that greatly supports the arts.\n“Without the arts life doesn’t have the best thing about living, which is to be creative,” he said. “And that’s the arts.” \nTo find more information about the Performing Arts Summer 2008 series which will feature more concerts at 3rd Street Park and Bryan Park visit \nwww.bloomington.in.gov/parks.