Got plans for Wednesday evening? Why not stop by the courtyard outside the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for the next Wednesday Evening Live?
Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization and parochial vicar at the cathedral, said the free weekly concerts began May 28 and run through Aug. 27. They begin with vespers at 5:30 p.m. and end with night prayer at 8 p.m.
(See above for a photo gallery from some of the previous concerts.)
Food, beer and water can be purchased. Attendees also are encouraged to visit the cathedral, where volunteers are stationed, for private prayer, to view the church and to ask questions.
Outside, the music takes place on a small stage. There also are umbrella tables, chairs and benches available. Some guests bring lawn chairs.
“It’s a great way to spend a summer evening,” Father Ference said, as well as providing another opportunity for evangelization and offering free entertainment aimed at a variety of age groups.
On July 30, Bishop Edward Malesic stopped by to enjoy the music of Audrey Rose and Tom Evanchuck, and to mingle with others in attendance. The weather was perfect – warm with a light breeze. However, Mother Nature has been fickle, bringing rain and wind to dampen a couple of the previous events.
As the evening drew to a close, Father Ference invited attendees to use their cell phones to click on a QR code found on information sheets scattered around the courtyard. The code directed them to iBreviary, which guided them through night prayer on their cell phones. With heads bowed, the group – and Bishop Malesic – prayed. The evening ended with a blessing from Father Ference.
Performers scheduled for the rest of the month are Aug. 6, David Kruse; Aug. 13, A Good Band is Hard to Find; Aug. 20, Soubirous (a band composed of priests in the diocese), and Evanchuck returns on Aug. 27 to close out the first year of the concert series.
Click here for more on Wednesday Evening Live.