SOLANA BEACH — Concerts at the Cove, a new summer series hosted by the city of Solana Beach and Belly Up Tavern, will feature local jazz, blues and folk musicians from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday nights through Aug. 28 at Fletcher Cove Park, 140 S. Sierra Ave.

The free concerts will include family-oriented music provided by solo artists or groups no larger than two or three performers.

“These concerts will provide amateur local musicians with a venue to perform throughout the summer,” said Kirk Wenger of the Parks and Recreation Commission. “The city will retain all rights to approve every musician or group and will require the Belly Up to confirm the talent at least two weeks prior to each concert.”

The city will also have complete sound check oversight to ensure proper sound levels and the right to cancel events at any time without recourse from scheduled performers.

“One of our primary goals in the recreation department is to simply create community, and I’m very confident that this program will achieve that objective,” Wenger said, adding that the Parks and Recreation Commission was “unanimously enthusiastic.”

Performers will receive $100 to cover travel expenses and offset the cost of equipment rentals.

Residents are encouraged to bring low-back beach chairs, blankets or towels and picnics. Alcohol, tobacco, pets and barbecues are not allowed. Unattended space reservation is also prohibited.

“This is something this community can really get behind,” Mayor Joe Kellejian said.

Councilman Dave Roberts supported a suggestion from Gerri Retman-Opper, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, that the city survey nearby residents at the end of the concert series to determine any impacts the program may have had on the surrounding community.

For a list of scheduled performers, visit http://www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us.