For five summers, music has echoed through the grounds of one of Redlands' most treasured landmarks, transforming evenings at the A.K. Smiley Public Library into memorable community gatherings filled with live entertainment, laughter, and conversation. This month, the popular Smiley LIVE! concert series begins its fifth season by welcoming back the Citrus Sisters, the vocal trio that helped launch the inaugural season in 2021.
The opening performance marks both the beginning of another summer concert season and a celebration of how the series has grown into one of Redlands' favorite cultural traditions. Presented by the A.K. Smiley Public Library, Smiley LIVE! was created to provide free, high-quality entertainment while encouraging residents to experience the library in a new way. Over the past five years, the series has featured musicians representing a wide variety of genres, attracting audiences ranging from lifelong Redlands residents to first-time visitors exploring the city's historic downtown.
The decision to invite the Citrus Sisters back for the season opener reflects the group's special connection to the concert series. Their original performance helped introduce Smiley LIVE! to the community, and their return offers audiences an opportunity to celebrate how both the performers and the program have become familiar parts of Redlands' summer calendar.
Known for their close harmonies, vintage musical style, and engaging stage presence, the Citrus Sisters perform selections inspired by American popular music, swing, jazz, and classic vocal traditions. Their performances often blend timeless favorites with stories that create an intimate and entertaining experience for audiences of all ages. The music appeals not only to longtime fans of classic vocal groups but also to younger listeners discovering these styles for the first time.
The concert series has become another example of Redlands' longstanding commitment to arts and culture. The city has earned a reputation throughout Southern California for supporting community arts through organizations such as the Redlands Bowl Performing Arts, local galleries, theatre productions, and public events that celebrate creativity. Smiley LIVE! complements those offerings by providing free performances in an intimate outdoor setting where audiences can enjoy live music just steps away from one of the city's most historic institutions.
The A.K. Smiley Public Library has served the community since 1898 and remains one of Redlands' architectural and cultural landmarks. While many residents visit the library for books, research, genealogy, and educational programs, events like Smiley LIVE! demonstrate how modern libraries have evolved into vibrant community gathering places. By hosting concerts, lectures, educational workshops, and family programs, the library continues expanding its role as a center for lifelong learning and community engagement.
The concert series also provides meaningful benefits for downtown businesses. Visitors frequently arrive early to enjoy dinner at nearby restaurants, browse local boutiques, or stop for coffee before the performance begins. After the concerts conclude, many attendees continue exploring downtown Redlands, creating additional activity that supports locally owned businesses throughout the evening.
Free cultural events also help strengthen community connections by making the arts accessible to everyone. Unlike ticketed performances that may not fit every household budget, Smiley LIVE! welcomes audiences without an admission charge, allowing families, students, seniors, and visitors to enjoy professional-quality entertainment together. The relaxed outdoor setting encourages neighbors to reconnect, meet new friends, and share an evening centered around music and community.
As Redlands continues growing, preserving opportunities for residents to gather and celebrate together remains an important part of maintaining the city's unique identity. Programs such as Smiley LIVE! demonstrate that investing in arts and culture contributes not only to entertainment but also to economic vitality, civic pride, and community well-being.
The return of the Citrus Sisters represents more than the beginning of another concert season. It celebrates five successful years of bringing people together through music while highlighting the enduring importance of public spaces that encourage learning, creativity, and shared experiences. For many attendees, the evening will become another chapter in a tradition that continues to enrich life in Redlands.
As the first notes fill the air outside the historic library, the concert will once again remind audiences why community events remain such an important part of Redlands' character. They create opportunities to slow down, enjoy the company of neighbors, and appreciate the cultural traditions that continue making Redlands one of the Inland Empire's most vibrant communities.