Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways play the Center for the Arts at Mizner Park. (Veda Jo Jenkins / sflimages.com)

Photos: Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways @ Mizner

Back by popular demand, Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways performed at Center for the Arts at Mizner Park Friday night as part of Boca Raton’s Summer in the City series. In a time of recession and choosing wisely where to spend your money Boca Raton gives back to the community by presenting free concerts.

Stowe and his band are a community favorite and I can see why. They are known for playing Jimmy Buffett songs and lots of people will claim Jimmy Stowe sounds even better than Buffett.

This was my first time hearing this band and I hate to admit I’ve never been to a Buffett concert (I know that’s a prerequisite to being a true Floridian) but Stowe’s island music soothed my soul. Their music whispers in your ear, “Sit back, relax, let me transport you to a carefree time where life is easy and the wind blows a gentle breeze on your face. Come dance with me under the stars and watch the moonrise in the sky. Remember, life is meant to be enjoyed.”

Stowe and his band opened with “Volcano” but it wasn’t until they played “Brown Eyed Girl” that the party started bringing couples out to dance.

Veda Jo Jenkins is a photographer/writer for sflimages.com. Click on the image to see that site.

From there the tempo kept rising. Stowe played “We are the People” and “A Pirate Looks at Forty” for those dedicated parrotheads, but it wasn’t just parrotheads that enjoy Stowe’s music. Stowe engages with the audience bringing the show to a more personal level. That’s part of his appeal. The band played all the crowd favorites from “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes”, “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere”.

In a time where people never have enough time to do the things they want it’s wonderful to take a few hours and renourish your body. Not quiet as good as a vacation but it worked for me. Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways will be performing next week, Aug. 6, at the Starlight Musicals at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale.

The Summer Concert Series at Mizner will have one more free performance August 13 featuring “That’s Entertainment”.