Arts & Entertainment
Parks and Recreation Hosts Summer Concert Series
Town has scheduled six free-admission summer performances at Dickinson Memorial Park
Music filled the air at Newtown's Dickinson Memorial Park last night as John Voket and Brendan Walsh performed one classic hit after another as part of the Parks and Recreation's Summer Concert Series.
While the threat of rain forced the free-admission concert – the fourth of six performances scheduled for this summer – under the park's pavilion, it didn't dampen the audience's enjoyment.
"It's nice to be able to sit outside and have something free. Good music to listen to, it's free, bring your lunch or your supper, what could be better?" said Barbara Glassman, 68.
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The duo treated the audience to music everyone could appreciate as they played songs from some of the industry's greatest artists such as the Grateful Dead, U2 and Bruce Springsteen.
"The music selection is great," said Hamden resident Holly Masi, 40, a friend of Voket. "I was really surprised about the Frank Sinatra song, ("Fly Me to the Moon") I happen to really like that song. I like the way he mixes it up, which also adds to the appeal of everyone."
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Newtown resident Tom Long, 40, who has attended the concerts since the town's Park and Recreation began hosting them last year, said most, if not everyone can relate to the playlists.
"It's hard to do something that everyone's going to like, so I think most of the bands do a good job of being diverse and playing things for the younger kids as well as the older population that's here," Long said.
Guests brought food and lawn chairs while energetic youth flocked to the adjacent playground, turning a damp night into a enjoyable family outing.
"It's kind of an all-ages thing. It doesn't just appeal to one group. It's for everyone. You have the park around you for the kids to play, so it's a win-win for everyone, said Masi.
With the summer winding down, there are just two concerts left on this year's schedule.
On Aug. 19 Erika Vaughn Midnight Rodeo will perform, while Newtown All-Stars Arrangement by Voket, also a reporter and editor at the Newtown Bee, will conclude the series on Aug. 26. Both of those events will be held at Dickinson Park.
