WESTFIELD- The Westfield Athenaeum is proud to present The Dan Kane Singers for a special Valentine’s Benefit Concert. The concert will be featured on two nights, tomorrow and Saturday, both beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the recently renovated Lang Auditorium. Proceeds from each of the concerts will benefit the Athenaeum.
The Valentine’s concert will feature some of the greatest love songs and pop classics ever recorded and will include chocolates and flowers, wine, and an assortment of fruit and cheeses. Tickets are $25, are on sale now and can be purchased at the main desk at the Athenaeum. The Athenaeum is anticipating a sellout concert each night, and with only 100 tickets being sold per concert, those interested in getting tickets are encouraged to act fast.
The Dan Kane Singers are a well-known and much loved part of the musical scene in western Massachusetts and consist of 152 volunteer performers from all over western Mass. Director Dan Kane’s exceptional playing abilities on the keyboard, piano and organ, have been featured on more than 50 CDs with countless talented singers and musicians. He hosts his own radio show spotlighting local talent, as well. His annual Summer Singing Program for 160 children is ranked tops in western Massachusetts, and has often been credited as a starting point for many local talented young singers headed for stardom. He has been the organist at St. Patrick’s Church in Springfield for 30 years with his Dad Jim Kane and is a teacher in Westfield.
After Kane toured the Athenaeum and saw the Lang Auditorium, he reached out to the Athenaeum in hopes of having the Dan Kane Singers perform there, and the Athenaeum readily agreed, according to Director Christopher J. Lindquist.
“This is the real good music, the music that actually has lyrics that one can follow and appreciate. The audience will know every song that we perform and they will have memories connected to each and every story,” said Kane. “We have been preparing for the last two months with great enthuseiasm, as this is the first time we have worked with the library and their fantastic staff. Chris Lindquist and his team have been so wonderful to us. The Lang Theater is a hidden gem in our community, with just over 100 seats; it is intimate and warm, just perfect for a Valentine’s Show”.
A committee made up of Kane, Athenaeum Director Christopher Lindquist, Public Services Librarian Joyce Peregrin, Music Programs Volunteer Joan Machacek, and Athenaeum Executive Assistant Candy Pennington, has been meeting regularly to plan for the event. Peregrin and Machacek have planned for the decorations, the food and wine, and the chocolates and flowers that each concert-goer will be getting.
“The Athenaeum is thrilled to be hosting these benefit concerts” said Lindquist. “We hope this will be just the start of a new collaboration with Dan and that future concerts will be held here featuring the Dan Kane Singers”.
Madeline Lukomski, 15, has been a member of the Dan Kane Singers since she was seven and will be participating in the Valentine’s Benefit Concert. Lukomski said she is really excited for the concert, especially because it’s a fundraiser for a good cause and she gets to help raise money by doing what she loves. Lukomski is also excited about performing at such a local venue.
