LES BROWN BAND TO PERFORM IN PARK; CITY SPONSORS FREE EVENING CONCERT AT VALENCIA MEADOWS.

Byline: Stacy Brown / Daily News Staff Writer

More than 2,000 people are expected Sunday at Valencia Meadows Park, where Les Brown and his Band of Renown will perform a free concert sponsored by the city of Santa Clarita.

Organizers said the city's eighth annual Concerts in the Park series this year has been the most popular yet.

``Without question, there have been more people than in previous years. It's been a huge success,'' said Carl Williams of the Cultural Arts Center, which promotes the series.

``Given that this year marks the city's 10th anniversary, it makes the concerts even more special,'' Williams said.

Cultural Arts Coordinator Sean Morgan said each concert so far this year has drawn 2,000 people or more.

Morgan said the festivals are designed to bring residents of the Santa Clarita Valley closer together.

``It's a chance for the community to have a good time,'' he said. The series opened July 13 with a performance at Old Orchard Park by Groove Therapy, a '70s rock-and-roll band. Blues singer Shawn Jones and Latin-jazz performer Poncho Sanchez also headlined concerts.

Organizers said Brown and his band will play standards such as ``Sentimental Journey'' and ``I've Got Love to Keep Me Warm.''

The free concert will begin at 5:30 at the park, 25671 Fedala Road, Valencia. For more information, call [phone].

The series will end Aug. 24 with a concert by a popular Santa Clarita band, Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries, at Hart Park in Newhall.

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PHOTO Les Brown

Set for ``Sentimental Journey''