(Atlantic) – From local Iowa origins to completing a California tour, Omaha-based rock band Gallivant is playing a free concert at Produce in the Park, Thursday, June 11 from 4:30-6:30 PM in the Atlantic City Park. The farmers market performance will feature a mix of covers and original songs. Guitarist Sam Hayes, drummer Dakota Nielsen and bassist/vocalist Joe Donnelly have played across the country while staying true to their local roots.
Sam Hayes was raised in Atlantic and lived there until his graduation, but his love of music came far before that. Past his piano lessons and his involvement in the Atlantic Middle School band, something clicked upon his introduction to the guitar at age 12. He grew a deep love of music from that point on and the guitar has remained his main instrument to this day.
Upon his graduation from Atlantic High School and his transition into college life at Iowa Western Community College, Hayes and Joe Donnelly decided they would both continue their deep-rooted love of music together and form a band that would later be known as Gallivant.
“Rock has always been the genre of music that spoke to me personally, and the other members of the band have strong roots in rock too,” Hayes said.
While their original music is based heavily in rock, Gallivant ties in metal, rap, funk and R&B influences often. The band also performs covers: their first video on YouTube, a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic,” has over 35,000 views. The band will perform a setlist with both covers and original songs for their June 11 performance at Produce in the Park.
With Dakota Nielsen joining to round out the band, Gallivant based themselves in Omaha with hopes of playing close to increased opportunity. Despite this the band returns to Atlantic frequently, with past performances at Ragbrai and the alumni event AHS Smackdown. Hayes said playing in the Atlantic area gives him an opportunity to see familiar faces while performing in his hometown.
After returning from their California tour on June 1, Gallivant is moving forward with a goal list that is “never-ending” according to Hayes. The band recently hired a booking agent and are continuing to write new music. Their newest single, “We Will In Time,” released June 3 and is part of a larger album in the works. These steps bring them closer to the dream of becoming a household name.
Produce in the Park, as Hayes described it, is a “great opportunity to play in front of a crowd that’s ready to rock and roll.” Gallivant will play for Produce in the Park June 11 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and bring an electric energy to World Cup Night that can’t be missed. Music entertainment at Produce in the Park is sponsored by Rolling Hills Bank.
In addition to the Gallivant performance, June 11 Produce in the Park will offer a bounce house by the Nishna Valley YMCA, face painting, soccer fun for World Cup Day, a radish harvesting activity, and guest chefs sharing free samples of recipes featuring cilantro and radishes, as well as premium local food and craft vendors. Vendors will be selling produce (carrots, green onions, leafy greens, asparagus, radishes), meats (beef, pork, chicken, lamb), farm-fresh eggs, honey, baked goods (sourdough bread, cinnamon rolls, pastries, cookies), bath and body products, candles and wax melts, garden products (plants, decorations, compost), and crafts (paintings, leather goods), and more.
On June 11, food trucks include Karam’s Grill, serving Mediterranean food such gyros and chicken shawarma, the Teeny Weeny Weiner Wagon, and first-time vendor HKA Drinks, selling loaded teas and energy drinks.
Produce in the Park farmers markets are made possible by Annual Sponsors including the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cass Health, Atlantic Hy-Vee, Cass County Tourism, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, and the Nishna Valley YMCA. Sponsors for the month of June include Community First Credit Union and United Church of Christ.
Produce in the Park is held every Thursday evening in the Atlantic City Park from 4:30–6:30 PM from June through September. All are welcome, and admission is free. The market accepts SNAP/EBT, SUN Bucks (Summer EBT available to children) and Double Up Food Bucks. Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor and sponsor applications for summer markets in the Atlantic City Park. Applications can be completed online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com, and printed copies are available at the Atlantic Area
Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park welcomes vendors selling handmade or homegrown products, including local foods and baked goods, crafts, art, decorations, and plants.
For the latest information on all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).
