MONROE - Barb Nelson is keeping her fingers crossed there will be clear blue skies for Clear Blue Betty Thursday night.
The popular rock band is scheduled to perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday on the Square in downtown Monroe. As the director of Monroe Main Street, Nelson wants to see good weather for the fourth installment of this season's Concert on the Square series.
The first concert June 12, a special performance by the Monroe City Band to mark the city's Sesquicentennial, had to be moved inside to the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center at the last minute because of severe weather. Having the PAC available was a stroke of luck, Nelson said. Normally, moving or rebooking concerts isn't possible.
The next concert, June 26, had better weather and the Stateline Playboys played without a hitch.
The Ken Kilian Saxtet wasn't so lucky July 10. Nelson said the group was set up under a tent when a storm rolled in right before showtime, causing a complete rainout.
The newly expanded concert series has seen some good turnout from local music fans - even during the threat of tornadoes before the Sesquicentennial concert.
"About 200 came out during the sirens" to see the city band, Nelson said. "I was impressed."
About 700 turned out for the Stateline Playboys.
There were even "at least a dozen chairs set up before it downpoured" and washed out the Saxtet's performance.
Nelson is optimistic the weather will hold for Clear Blue Betty's performance on the north side of the Square. As of press time this morning, there is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday night, but the forecast doesn't specify when those storms might start.
"We're hoping for the best," Nelson said.
There's two more concerts on tap after Thursday'a performance. On Aug. 14, Beal Street Jazz will present New Orleans style jazz. On Aug. 28, the Fever River String Band will perform their "old-timey" folk music.
The popular rock band is scheduled to perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday on the Square in downtown Monroe. As the director of Monroe Main Street, Nelson wants to see good weather for the fourth installment of this season's Concert on the Square series.
The first concert June 12, a special performance by the Monroe City Band to mark the city's Sesquicentennial, had to be moved inside to the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center at the last minute because of severe weather. Having the PAC available was a stroke of luck, Nelson said. Normally, moving or rebooking concerts isn't possible.
The next concert, June 26, had better weather and the Stateline Playboys played without a hitch.
The Ken Kilian Saxtet wasn't so lucky July 10. Nelson said the group was set up under a tent when a storm rolled in right before showtime, causing a complete rainout.
The newly expanded concert series has seen some good turnout from local music fans - even during the threat of tornadoes before the Sesquicentennial concert.
"About 200 came out during the sirens" to see the city band, Nelson said. "I was impressed."
About 700 turned out for the Stateline Playboys.
There were even "at least a dozen chairs set up before it downpoured" and washed out the Saxtet's performance.
Nelson is optimistic the weather will hold for Clear Blue Betty's performance on the north side of the Square. As of press time this morning, there is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday night, but the forecast doesn't specify when those storms might start.
"We're hoping for the best," Nelson said.
There's two more concerts on tap after Thursday'a performance. On Aug. 14, Beal Street Jazz will present New Orleans style jazz. On Aug. 28, the Fever River String Band will perform their "old-timey" folk music.