Those Lazy Hazy Days of Summer

When I think of summer tunes, it's easy for me to name off several that express the essence of summer.    Some of my favorites include Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer, (Nate King Cole) as well as other summer anthems such as Fun, Fun, Fun (and others by the Beach Boys), Summer in the City, (Lovin' Spoonful), Dancing in the Streets (Martha and the Vandellas), Summer Wind, (Sinatra), Summer Breeze, (Seals and Croft), Summertime (Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald), etc.  My reason for mentioning this music is to inspire me to share photographs capturing the heartbeat of summer during the coming weeks.   I don't want the old man side of me offer any excuses about our Midwest heat and humidity as a cause for not photographing and tasting various summer happenings so I can soak up all the summertime experiences that I need to help me through the grey winter months.

My first installment to a summer series I named, Here Comes Summer was captured about a week ago at the Beloit Art Center's 25th anniversary celebration.  One of the best parts of summer is the street festivals and neighborhood celebrations that bring people together suspending politics, prejudices, and social fears for a brief time to truly embrace our commonality.  

Here Comes Summer Series 1