TEMECULA -- There is more to do in Temecula than just sweat in the summertime. The city's summer concert and movie series will kick off this week, offering residents two months of weekly entertainment options.

The Summer Sunset Concert Series will serve up live music to the public Thursday nights through Aug. 23 at the Community Recreation Center Amphitheater. And each Friday evening, Summer Moonlight Movies in the Park will be shown at various locations throughout the city through Aug. 24.

The summertime entertainment series began in 2001 with concerts in August. The popularity of the event caused the schedule to be lengthened to include eight weeks of concerts, said Gail Zigler, administrative assistant for Temecula Community Services Department. In 2003, the movie component was added at the request of City Councilman Mike Naggar.

"One of the reasons the city began to offer the concerts was due to the fact that the city had very little programming at the CRC amphitheater," Zigler said.

Zigler said the total budget for both the concert and movie events is $28,000 a year.

The gates to the sunset concerts open at 5:30 p.m., so residents can stake out seats. The performances begin at 7 and end at 8:30. Free face-painting and balloon art is offered for children. The Temecula Teen Council will sell snacks and beverages at the concerts. Zigler said the public is welcome to bring food items, however, alcohol and pets are not permitted at any of the city's facilities. She said the same rules also apply to the movie screenings.

"A lot of people come for a picnic dinner in the park and let their kids run around," she said. "It's a family-friendly event, but a lot of the people who come to the concerts don't have kids."

The PG-rated film "Over the Hedge," will kick off the moonlight movies in the park Friday. The showing will take place at the Temecula Duck Pond. The movie events will rotate between four locations throughout the city, which include Temeku Hills Park, the Temecula Amphitheater at the CRC and Harveston Community Park.

The activities on the movie nights begin at 6:30 p.m., and include crafts and games for kids. The movies begin at dusk.

"We try to get the crowd involved by singing a song to get the blood flowing before they settle in for the movie," she said. "There is usually some 'Hokeypokey' and 'YMCA' dancing. The kids and adults seem to get into it."

The movies are selected by the city and are rated G or PG.

Zigler said typical attendance at both the concerts and the movies ranges from 300 to 500 people, depending on the performance. She said one of the most popular performers is the Neil Diamond cover band that usually draws a standing-room only crowd. Hot August Night, "A tribute to Neil Diamond," will play July 12.

Temecula Mayor Chuck Washington said the city is looking for ways to extend the number of fun-family activities it offers. He said plans are in the works to create a Monday Family Night, too.

"I think it is important to recognize the activities that are centered around keeping kids and families together -- and entertained," Washington said. "Outdoor summer events are one of the coolest things a city can do for its people. We are looking into more programs that will bring residents together in our parks."

Call (951) 694-6480 or go to www.cityoftemecula.org

Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616

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