Boats fill Holiday Harbor for lakeside concert

BY Ariana Shah

Canyon Lakers enjoyed another unique Rock the Boat Concert where performers turned their backs to the empty amphitheater and sang to the boats floating out in the lake. The Kanan Road Band was the headliner band at the Saturday night concert which was opened by keyboardist Harlan Spector.

Those who attended the free socially-distanced concert sponsored by the Canyon Lake POA watched from the lake, while large screens were planted at the amphitheater at Holiday Harbor to display the performers. In addition, boat owners sat in their boats at the Marina, the beach was full of people at Happy Camp and residents gathered on their decks at Treasure Island.

Crowds of boats anchor and gather at dusk Saturday night just before the beginning of the Rock the Boat Concert at Holiday Harbor. The free concert included two bands and was sponsored by the Canyon Lake POA. The unique concert has the band turn its back on the closed-off amphitheater and face the water.

It was a beautiful day for a concert and boats started arriving in front of the stage at the Canyon Lake Amphitheater at Holiday Harbor Park around 4:00 p.m. The lake became a no wake zone and boats were allowed to anchor starting at 5:00 p.m. Only those in the water were permitted to attend the concert and included those in boats, kayaks and other water devices.

Harlan Spector began his performance at 6:00 p.m. Glimmering lights decorated the stage as Harlan and his keyboard played the blues and entertained about 100 boats on the lake.

“Harlan did his 30-minute set as a duo with drummer and vocalist Perry Lopez and they were awesome,” Doug Schultz, the concert producer, said. “Harlan has recorded and performed with several big name acts like Buddy Miles, Robby Kreiger and Elvin Bishop.”

Legendary blues keyboardist Harlan Spector performs for the in-the-water audience as the opening act of the Rock the Boat Concert Saturday evening. Photos by Doug Schultz

After Harlan, the high energy country rock Kanan Road Band began its 75-minute performance with a set of half originals and half cover songs. The Kanan Road Band is a popular local band that has opened for famous country bands across the nation.

“They interacted with the crowd and were a very talented group,” Doug said. “Their set was explosive and the crowd loved it. They were excellent and the audience responded accordingly.”

The Kanan Road Band is an experienced band and brought with them gear and technicians like national touring acts would bring, he said.

Concert sound and lights made for a quality show and the video screen and moving lights on stage added a touch of a real concert feel, Doug said.

“I hope Canyon Lake enjoyed Rock the Boat,” he said. “It was a beautiful day of music.”

The “Rock the Boat” concert was also hosted last month by Doug Schultz and the Canyon Lake POA. With its great success and the support from the city, the Canyon Lake POA wanted to continue this unique event and the second Rock the Boat Concert was born.