WESTFIELD-Thomas Sawyer is encouraging area residents to descend on the downtown area on June 23 to listen to the “buskers” performing as part of Buskers Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Buskers Day is presented in conjunction with the Westfield Athenaeum’s “Libraries Rock” summer reading kick-off event, also beginning at 10 a.m. on the Park Square Green. Both events are free.
Peter Curro will perform during Buskers Day.
Sawyer, a busker himself, is recruiting musicians for the second annual event which promises tunes to please all musical preferences.
“Most of these people are regular performers in the area, either playing solo, as members of a band, or both,” said Sawyer, who is a member of the Buddy McEarns Band.
“When I’m not playing my acoustic, I am the bass player for the band, a pretty busy blues/rock/Americana band,” said Sawyer.
Sawyer said the street performers set to perform on Buskers Day are all part of a “very healthy local music community.”
Two of the musicians, Ed Bentley and Peter Curro, are eager to share their music with others.
“I played last year on Buskers Day and it was very enjoyable,” said Bentley, who plays guitar, bass and banjitar.
Ed Bentley will be among the “buskers” performing during Buskers Day.
Bentley added he has been playing since he was 12, and has been on tour with Little Eva whose hit song was “Do the Locomotion” in the 1960’s. He also taught guitar at Falcetti’s Music in the 1970’s and has played in local bands throughout the years. Currently, he is writing his own songs and plays them along with cover songs at local venues throughout the area. He is also in charge of the musical entertainment conducted weekly at Thursday’s Westfield Farmers’ Market on the grounds of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement.
“Music is important to Westfield because it brings families along with older adults out to enjoy the downtown activities and escape the everyday pressures of the work-a-day world,” said Bentley.
Curro, a singer and songwriter who plays guitar and harmonica, has been involved in the local music scene for many years, especially since he retired in 2007. Currently, he plays with the group The C Boys which he manages, and shares in the lead singing. Curro is also the Wednesday night host of the songwriters music circle at the Dream Away Lodge in Becket.
“The arts bring the community together,” said Curro. “When we make these events more accessible to our people, the occasions for enjoyment, friendship, understanding and togetherness increase, making our lives so much better.”
Buskers will be performing along Elm Street from the Westfield Athenaeum to the Blended Vintage Marketplace on the west side; on the east side from the Rinnova Building down to Main St and around the corner between Blue Umbrella Books and Janik’s Pierogi Cafe.
“Most local musicians are very generous with their time and talent when it comes to nonprofit community events,” said Sawyer. “On Buskers Day they are playing just for tips, so we would encourage the folks that come out to listen to bring a bunch of small bills or at least a pocket full of ones and quarters.”
Sawyer added that most performers enjoy the camaraderie with the audience.
“Performers particularly enjoy the kids that get into the music,” said Sawyer, adding, “if they can play a request they will.”
For families and individuals interested in joining the Athenaeum’s summer reading club, a host of activities to generate interest will take place on the Park Square Green from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Come enjoy our beautiful city and get into the spirit of this year’s summer reading theme titled ‘Libraries Rock,’” said Joyce Peregrin, outreach and public services librarian.
Highlights of the event will include face painting, crafts, lawn games and refreshments. Additionally, Tincknell and Bates will perform “A Song and Story Celebration” from 10 to 10:45 a.m., and the Westfield High School Band and Westfield Technical Academy Band, under the direction of Patrick Kennedy, will perform from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Tom Deady, the Bram Stoker Award winning author of “Haven,” “Eternal Darkness,” and “Weekend Getaway,” will also be on hand during the festivities. Deady also has a non-fiction publishing credit with Rue Morgue Magazine, and has had several short stories published. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association as well as the New England Horror Writers.
