WESTFIELD-Music brings people together, as well as a variety of special events, fitness gatherings and volunteer opportunities, and in the coming months, a host of events across the city will entertain and inspire all those who choose to gather together.
A sampling of ways area residents can get to know their neighbors – and support the community – include:
In the downtown area, the Westfield Athenaeum offers its popular First Thursdays Concert Series at noon in the Lang Auditorium. On May 5, Sarah Clay and Nick Kachulis – known as Skylarkz – will draw on their backgrounds as musicians and educators to entertain with music and enlightening stories. They perform a variety of American popular songs, punctuated with tales of the composers, culture, and history behind the music.
The Athenaeum series winds down for the summer on June 2 with a performance by lyricist Rebecca Hall and producer/multi-instrumentalist/husband Ken Anderson – known as the folk duo Hungrytown – sharing their original music that has earned a reputation for its quality and authenticity.
Westfield on Weekends, also known as WOW, has also just announced its Westfield MusicFest lineup for the summer concert series on the Green. All concerts begin at 6 p.m., and feature an opening act from the Greater Westfield area.
TUSK will be part of the musical lineup for this summer’s Westfield MusicFest.
“Westfield’s MusicFest is simply a chance for family and friends to gather downtown for great music and to check out some of the fine restaurants and businesses within walking distance of the Green,” said Jay Pagliuca, MusicFest’s committee chairperson.
Pagliuca noted that during the last two years, MusicFest drew an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people for each show.
“Our goal is to equal that great success,” said Pagluica.
Pagliuca added that MusicFest could not happen without the support of businesses and individuals that support the annual concert series, acknowledging its sponsors, The Tavern and Commercial Distributing, as well as the WOW volunteers and others donating their time from the community.
“This year, thanks to a sponsorship by the Shortstop Bar & Grill, we’re lucky to have some great local talent opening each show,” said Pagliuca. “The opening acts will start at 6 p.m. with the main act taking the stage at 7.”
On June 16, Still Kickin’ with the Big City Horns opens the series with its classic 60’s and 70’s rock and blues. The 10-piece band is punctuated by a five-piece horn section featuring Westfield’s own Westfield High School band director, Patrick Kennedy, on trumpet and vocals.
On July 21, 100.9 KIX Country will present a national country act as they have done in past years. The announcement of the performer will be made closer to July 21.
Closing out the series on Aug. 25 is TUSK, a Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, bringing a classic 70’s sound to the Green.
For more information on WOW events, visit www.westfieldonweekends.com.
“Expect some wonderful surprises,” said Pagluica. “You never know who is going to be the next breakout star on national tour and you just might be seeing them first on the Westfield Green.”
Just a short drive from the downtown area is the always popular Sunday Night Concert Series at Stanley Park which Bob McKean, managing director, is now calling “Stanleywood,” drawing a correlation with Tanglewood in Lenox. The series gets underway on June 5 with The Diamond Collection, featuring front person Kenny LaBelle. The Diamond Collection performs Neil Diamond staples and some almost forgotten gems.
“We are now calling the experience Stanleywood,” said McKean. “With the new setting and sound system, the acoustic experience will be excellent.”
In addition to the new Beveridge Pavilion with new chairs that will seat hundreds, a full-service kitchen will now allow food vendors to offer more options for patrons.
The Sunday night series, beginning at 6 p.m. in the pavilion, also includes:
June 12: The 20-piece Heritage Pops Orchestra, playing a wide variety of big band style music from Glenn Miller to Lawrence Welk, also mixing in modern rock songs to round out its set.
June 19: Studio Two is a headlining Beatles Band that pays tribute to the early Beatles years, choosing songs from the pre-Sgt. Pepper era.
June 26: Donna Lee and Landslide pay homage to the mystery and magic of rock icons Fleetwood Mac in this tribute concert.
July 10: The Dave Colucci Show offers a music variety show featuring songs from the swinging days of Las Vegas, to the Golden Oldies of the 50’s and 60’s, and closing with classic country favorites.
Truck Stop Troubadours will perform July 17 as part of the Stanley Park Sunday Night Concert Series.
July 17: The Truck Stop Troubadours cover songs from the golden age of country music, from Willie Nelson to Merle Haggard, and guest vocalist Vicky St. Pierre adds the sass performing songs by Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and others.
July 24: Shakin’ All Over performs tributes to the dance hits from the Top 10 from 1954-1964.
July 31: For persons who love polka music, the Eddie Forman Orchestra promises a fun-filled evening of good music for all ages.
Aug. 7: Donna Lee returns to the stage for a tribute concert to Patsy Cline and Connie Francis.
Aug. 14: The season series closes with The Singing Trooper – “Daniel” – and his wife Mary – for their inspirational musical journey from patriotic tunes to Elvis songs.
“We are excited about the diverse lineup of performers that reaches out to all ages,” said McKean. “If you haven’t seen a concert yet, give it a try. I know you will come back every week after seeing your first concert.”
Since all concerts are free, a goodwill offering “bucket” is passed through the crowd before intermission.
Concerts by Stanley Park’s carillonneur Norma Hopper also return from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on May 15, June 19, July 17, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18, according to McKean. Hopper offers a variety of programs featuring the electronic Carillon Bells which is located adjacent to the Rose Garden.
Also, for persons interested in supporting local musicians in various venues throughout the city including taverns and restaurants, visit http://calendar.dondley.com/events.
In addition to free musical programs for all ages, Stanley Park has an extensive lineup of programs, ranging from garden and nature workshops, to yoga and Zumba® fitness classes, walks around the park, and a Friday morning series of performances for children during the summer.
Since the “Yoga in the Park” program was a hit with individuals last year, the program will resume for eight sessions on Tuesday nights, May 10 through June 28, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the acre lawn next to the Beveridge Pavilion Annex. The class is for all levels of yoga practitioners. The poses are foundational, and modifications are always available.
New this year is Zumba® fitness classes on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m., from May 10 to June 28, in the Beveridge Pavilion. Certified instructor Tara Daley will lead the Latin-inspired dance workouts. The class will be low-impact and high-energy, perfect for beginners and seasoned Zumba® participants.
For persons who enjoy morning walks, the “Walks around the Park” series also returns to Stanley Park on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. All abilities are welcome and group ability level will determine the walk route. Possible routes will be within the main areas of the park and/or the wildlife sanctuary. The walks are planned from May 11 through Aug. 3.
For more details on all programs at Stanley Park, visit www.stanleypark.org.
For artists and art lovers alike, Westfield Creative Arts, together with Westfield on Weekends, Inc., will conduct its first Art Walk: Arts on Elm, on June 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 25 local and regional artists will be presenting both inside 15 businesses as well as outside under tents along the way, from the Westfield Athenaeum across both bridges ending at Westfield’s Depot Square.
Volunteers are always needed for special events too across the city and currently, the organizers for the 2016 Babe Ruth 14-Year-Old World Series from Aug. 10-18 have a call out since they are still in need of persons for a variety of roles. Babe Ruth teams from across the country will make up the World Series participants, and all games will be played at Billy Bullens Field. Current volunteer opportunities include: admission gate, banquet set-up and clean-up, ball shaggers, bat boy and bat girl, bus monitor, concession stand, cleaning crew, bookkeepers (score book), greeters, family ambassadors, field prep, information booth, park clean-up, parking lot coordinators, press box (scores, announcers, scoreboard), 50/50 raffle sales, seating, souvenir sales, team ambassadors, traffic control and voucher sales. Visit www.westfieldworldseries.com for more information.
To close out the summer season, the Westfield Rotary will conduct its second annual Westfield FoodFest, Aug. 26-28, on Elm Street, between Franklin and Main streets.
“This exciting three-day event will feature vendors from local restaurants and food trucks, as well as entertainment from local musicians,” said Jennifer Gruszka, president, Westfield Rotary. “This will be a free event for the public which the club hopes will bring citizens back to the downtown area.”
Rotary members will be selling beer and wine to enhance the overall experience, according to Gruszka.
FoodFest hours are Aug. 26, 5 to 9 p.m.; Aug. 27, noon to 9 p.m., and Aug. 28, noon to 6 p.m.
For information on vendor opportunities, contact Gruszka via email at [email protected]. For details on musicians and more as the dates get closer, visit www.westfieldrotary.org.
For more ways to get involved and to support the city’s ongoing events, visit the City of Westfield’s website – www.cityofwestfield.org and continue to read The Westfield News.
