The lineup has been announced for this summer’s Memorial Park Concert.
The annual event has been an Omaha tradition for nearly 40 years and will feature Smokey Robinson as the headliner, with support from the band Cake at this year’s event, which will be held June 26 and kick off at 6:30 p.m.
“The Memorial Park Concert is a longstanding tradition that highlights one of our city’s many great parks,” Jake Lindner, interim parks director, said in a news release. “Our parks crew puts a lot of work into prepping the park for the concert, and we appreciate their work along with all of the other city departments that come together to make this event a success each year.”
Robinson will headline the event with a catalogue of hits spanning more than 40 years.
He founded The Miracles while still in high school, and the group’s single “Shop Around” became Motown’s first No. 1 hit on the R&B singles chart. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen hits for the group, including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “The Tracks of My Tears” and “I Second That Emotion.”
In addition to his own success, Robinson has written songs for The Temptations, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway and Marvin Gaye.
Cake formed in California in the early 1990s and found success with songs like,“Short Skirt/Long Jacket,” “The Distance” and “Never There.” Cake is currently at work on its ninth album, due out later this year.
In addition to the headliners, local musicians are invited to apply to be featured via video between the sets and during the day leading up to the show. The application to be considered is open through April 3, and all local bands and solo artists are encouraged to apply.
A firework display by J&M Displays will light the night sky following the shows and will serve as an early celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.
“Mark those calendars, invite your neighbor and let’s make this a night to remember,” Omaha Mayor John Ewing said in a news release. “There’s nothing quite like live music under the summer sky with the best community around.”