"I'm Vanessa," said Vanessa Trien to the many children with their bright eyes turned to her Tuesday evening at Dickinson Park.

Stepping down off the band shell, she encouraged her young audience: "Maybe you could clap your hands?" Vanessa Trien and The Jumping Monkeys entertained the many parents and children this week as part of the Summer Jam concert series hosted by Newtown Parks & Recreation.

Her band offered a family-friendly performance. Ms Trien, walking through the lawn as children flocked closer, said, "Now, it's music time." She sang about the sun and "one fine day, I'm going outside and find some friends…" She waved her arms, and so did her audience. As she jumped, they jumped; as she spun in place, so did they.

"Hey," shouted Ms Trien, "Reach up to the blue sky." She asked, "How fast can you spin round and round?"

Ms Trien's music is a mixture of folk, blues, and pop. She has four Parents' Choice award-winning albums; two songs from her most recently released fourth album were selected as a finalist ("Fireworks") and semifinalist ("Wonderful You") for the International Songwriting Competition's children's music category.

Erin Masotta, coordinator of the concert series, points out that the band has traveled from Boston every summer since the inception of the Summer Jam series.

Next to the stage was Victor's Lemonade stand, where parents purchased cups for their families.

Victor and his father Stephen Riccitelli poured lemonade throughout the concert. Victor is donating his earnings to the Newtown Police Department, his father said.

The Summer Jam Children's Concert Series has returned to the Dickinson Park bandshell for a sixth season with performances on Tuesdays at 6 pm that began June 26 and continue through August 7.

Updates and weather-related location changes will be posted to the Newtown Parks & Recreation Facebook page and the Summer Jam Facebook page. Check with Parks & Rec at 203-270-4340.

The 2018 performance roster features artists who have collectively earned Latin Grammy nominations, a Latin Grammy Award, multiple Parents' Choice Awards, and many additional accolades and songwriting awards.

Newtown Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold said the series brings a lot of joy to the community each year.

The series is free and open to the public, courtesy of the generosity of the local sponsors that make this series possible. Claris Construction Inc is the title sponsor of the series for the sixth year. Gold sponsors include Andy Sachs and the Around Town Team at Coldwell Banker, Honda of Danbury,

People's United Bank, Popowich Chiropractic & Acupuncture Care, and Union Savings Bank. Additional support has been provided by Associated Refuse Haulers.

Summer Jam continues on July 17 with an energetic and bilingual show performed by 2015 Latin Grammy winner for Best Children's Album (Los Animales) Mister G.

The July 24 performance will feature the one-man-band of Parents' Choice Award recipient KB Whirly, who intertwines storytelling, improvisation, and interactive music-making as he highlights various genres throughout his show.

On July 31 Summer Jam will welcome Parents' Choice and NAPPA Awards recipient Rolie Polie Guacamole. With six albums of inventive music, Rolie Polie Guacamole's music is imaginative, creative, and fun, with instrumental layers, rhythm, and humor.

The 2018 series will conclude on August 7 with a performance by PBS mega personality SteveSongs. Mr Steve has eight albums, the most recent being his 2014 release Orangutan Van. The musician has been the recipient of numerous awards, including two Parents' Choice Gold Awards.

Newtown has again been recognized for its distinguished commitment to high-caliber music education as one of the 2018 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants.

Dickinson Park is at 50 Elm Drive. Additional parking is available in a lot off the park's Brushy Hill Road entrance. For additional information, newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation/pages/summer-concerts-park-2018.