Be Local by relaxing at summer concert series
Imagine a nice summer day in a local park, relaxing while you listen to music at an outdoor concert, enjoying refreshments and spending time with family and friends.
What a way to make beautiful memories!
In fact, these summer concert series are happening in communities across the area, organized by local groups that provide them either for free or at low cost.
Many invite local vendors to sell food and other items for you to enjoy. Some offer basket auctions to raise funds to help defray expenses. Some ask you to bring your own lawn chair. The events are low key.
Be Local means supporting these concerts put on by people who care about the places where they live.
“It’s a terrific service to our community – bringing an open air concert that’s free on a weekly basis,” said Herb Thompson, president of the Waynesburg Lions Club, which sponsors a series at the Lions Club Community Park in Waynesburg. “We generally serve grilled hot dogs and soft drinks to enjoy while listening to this great music. We work to provide a wide variety of music from steel drums to banjos, and expect folks enjoy that variety.”
Thompson continued, “It’s a small venue so musicians can interact with the audience. Most hang out during break periods and after the show is over to meet and greet those in attendance. Our park setting serves as a nice place for friends to meet and sit back and enjoy time together. Many families attend as well and the kids can use the playground while parents listen to the music. The Tuesday evening venue also provides a nice break to the work week for a lot of people.”
Deshirl Yesenosky, who chairs the Waynesburg summer concert committee, added “The park does seem to be a perfect place to have the music. It is very relaxing there and no worry about paying to park either. The motto of Lions is ‘We serve’ and with our music, we do just that.”
Mark Smith, president of the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts, said MVAA is sponsoring its second summer concert series with funding from EQT at Chess Park in Monongahela.
“Our mission is to advance cultural and arts programs and events in the Mon Valley,” said Smith. “We’ve expanded the programs to include three bands on each date along with food vendors and food truck vendors. It’s free to the public.”
Annette Buffer, who with Lenore Byrd, coordinates the Power of Music summer concert series at the Brownsville Amphitheater in Snowden Square Park in Brownsville, said, “This gives people an opportunity to meet and greet, have a bite and enjoy music. We’re seeing neighbors coming out and they’ll call on the elderly and bring them.”
Buffer observed many musicians have a following they bring to the concerts. She added each concert serves food that is matched to the music, such as halupki and cabbage rolls for polka, hot dogs and barbecue for rock’n roll, and ribs for blues bands.
Mark Rafail, director of the Uniontown Redevelopment Authority, agreed concerts in Uniontown’s Storey Square are well received, but said there are still a lot of people who don’t know about them.
“They’re free and fun. Every week, there’s a different food vendor and a farmer’s market,” said Rafail. “We offer free parking in the Penn Street garage. You get a free concert and enjoy yourself.”
The concert support local musicians.
Yesenosky said of the musicians, “Many have told me how much being able to perform for us means to them. They appreciate that we have provided another venue for live music so that their craft is able to be witnessed by all who want to come.”
Keith Schwartz of Hopwood, president of American Federation of Musicians Local 592, who assists with the concert series at Palmer Park and Cedar Creek, commented on the decrease of venues playing live music, and observed, “A lot of musicians only get to play in the parks.”
Schwartz talked about the quality of local musicians, saying many previously played in prestigious military bands.
“Come out and show your support and enjoy good musicians,” Schwartz said.
Smith reported the MVAA series employs musicians of all ages – from students to professionals. Smith noted the June 17 concert includes Jakobs Ferry Stragglers, which he said is a local band but one of the largest blue grass attractions on the East Coast, while the July 15 concert includes the Twin Coaches Junior Jazz Trio, composed of students from eighth through 11th grades.
“The concert series supports musicians, the city and all the vendors. It’s one of the largest outdoor events in the valley,” Smith said. “Musicians appreciate the opportunity to share their art and the community appreciates attending the outdoor events. Last year, we exceeded 1,200 people. We expect to double it this year. “
Rafail noted the concerts also offer opportunities to local vendors, who support the concerts with their participation.
Host organizations are grateful to their sponsors, such as Uniontown Hospital, which sponsors the Uniontown series, and EQT, which sponsors the Mon Valley AAA series.
Local communities also benefit from being able to listen to music.
“Absolutely, the arts are important,” said Buffer. “They bring out a sensitivity in people and makes you more interactive with each other. Music is powerful. That’s where out title comes from – The Power of Music.”
“Music is part of our culture,” said Rafail. “Look at how popular shows like ‘American Idol’ are. I would much rather have someone walking down the street singing than being on the phone and playing a video game.”
As these summer music series get underway, local hosts are encouraging area residents to come out.
“The more people,”said Smith, “the more exciting it is.”
Rafail urged, “Come early! Stay late!”