The Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater is lit for the first time on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
Salem’s new amphitheater in Riverfront Park will host its first concert Friday following the monthly Salem Art Walk.
The city is putting on a free concert starting at 8 p.m. featuring Salem singer and songwriter Rich McCloud, whose music “combines rap, soul, hip-hop, pop, blues-rock, folk, poetry and a fiery spirit to bring inspiration to listeners world wide,” according to his website.
The event was intended to be the second in a monthly series starting in May, but city leaders canceled that event because of thunderstorms expected in the forecast.
The concert follows the downtown art walk held from 5-8 p.m., where businesses showcase local artists and have other special events.
The concerts are intended to test the acoustics of the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater, which was finished last summer and donated to the city by the Rotary Club of Salem, said parks department spokesman Trevor Smith.
Other free concerts are scheduled at 8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month through September.
-Rachel Alexander
