Twilight In The Park…
45 Years in the making!
In 1981, over 45 years ago, one citizen Mike Waggener had an idea; to have free pop music concerts on Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage during the summer months. He approached Frank Martinez, B.P. Cultural Arts Manager, who agreed to give it a trial run if Mike would organize the program. The first summer there were six Twilight Concerts by local performers. By the summer of 1983 there were thirty-three musical groups who donated their time and talent to provide the free Concerts for the public. Volunteers were recruited to help plan, select new performers, and usher at the Concerts. Over the years many citizens have volunteered their time to keep the Twilight Concerts alive.
In 2007, Gordon and Lloyd Uber volunteered and assisted the Twilight Committee in purchasing its own Sound Equipment which provided a huge boost to the Twilight Concerts musical abilities. A one-time $1,000 donation from two City Councilmembers, Donna Frye and Toni Atkins, and an accumulation of the audience donations over the years helped secure the equipment and hire a Sound Tech, Tom Baker. A few years later an assistant Sound Tech was hired, Paul Schlohmann. The Twilight Committee was able to purchase additional sound equipment gradually over the next 15 years with audience donations. By 2012, Committee volunteers and the two Sound Techs contacted San Diego High Schools, Colleges & Universities to initiate a Sound Tech Intern Program. Ten to twelve students (18yrs and over) were interviewed each year and trained to set up and assist with sound production for small and major musical concerts. The students received school credit and letters of recommendation from Tom Baker.
In 2023 we were introduced to Dave Smith (owner of Dave Wave Studios), and he has brought world class professional sound to the stage. This has also helped the bands, since he provides he own sound equipment. Our concerts have never sounded so good.
The Twilight Concerts receive no other City money or Sponsorship monies; therefore, your donations are VERY APPRECIATED to help us pay for our Audio Engineer, and for printing & advertising and this new website.
WE WANT TO THANK EVERYONE who has been a part of the Twilight Concerts and the Audience over the last 45 years!
Everything connected with these concerts is on a volunteer basis and we wish to thank:
- The performers for their time and talent
- The City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department for use of the facilities
- The Twilight Committee for continuing to combine these elements for the benefit of the San Diego Community and its visitors
- The Save Starlight organization for their assistance in maintaining the Twilight Concerts since 2025
- You, the people who attend