Scotia park to be ready for concert series (with schedule)

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

On Tuesday morning at Freedom Park, Nell Burrows, President of the Freedom Park Board announces the 2012 Summer Schedule starting June 20th and ending August 29th.

Just a day after the Freedom Park concert series concluded last year, the Mohawk River swelled from Tropical Storm Irene and flooded the stage and seating area.

The backstage area experienced the worst of the damage and required new carpeting, flooring, sheet rock, vanity and dressing table. Everything but the toilet had to be replaced, according to Freedom Park board President Nell Burrows.

“The stage didn’t sustain any damage. The tiered seating came through like a champ, so we’re ready to have a wonderful season,” she said at a Tuesday morning news conference announcing the 2012 schedule.

Mayor Kris Kastberg could not provide an estimate of the cost of the damage, but said the village’s flood insurance covered it entirely. Also, there is some money left that the village will use to paint the asphalt dance floor. The village docks will soon be installed for the season, as well, so boaters will be able to enjoy the concerts.

County Legislator Cathy Gatta, who is also on the Freedom Park board, said members were nervous when putting together the concert schedule, given the extent of the weather damage.

“Everybody was crossing their fingers and their toes to make sure a season was going to happen this year,” she said.

Concert lineup

• June 20: Funk Evolution, funk, Kinum Chiropractic

• June 23: All Paul Show, Paul McCartney tribute, Key Bank

• June 24: Music Company Orchestra, classical, Civale Chiropractic

• June 27: Flame, rock, Scotia Rotary

• June 29: Headroom, classic rock, Jumpin’ Jack’s, fireworks to follow

• July 7: The Big Smoothies, party rock, Marshall & Sterling

• July 8: Rymanowski Brothers, polka, Jumpin’ Jack’s

• July 11: Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band, Stewart’s Shops

• July 12: Scotia-Glenville Community Band, First National Bank of Scotia

• July 14: Doc Springs & Rehabilitated Dixieland Jazz Band, First National Bank of Scotia

• July 15: SIRSY, alternative rock, Frank & Sons Body Works

• July 18: Audiostars, party rock, CDTA

• July 21: Cryin’ Out Loud, rock and gospel, Scotia Business Improvement District,

• July 22: Maria Z & Friends, flamenco guitar/dance, Gabriel’s Market

• July 25: Joey Thomas Big Band — 20th anniversary celebration, First National Bank of Scotia

• July 26: Scotia-Glenville Community Band, big band, First National Bank of Scotia

• July 28: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra, AAA Northway

• July 29: The Route Fifty 5, brass quintet, Payette’s Music Traders

• Aug. 1: Rattail Jimmy w/Alan Payette, classic rock, Focus on Glenville/Music Traders

• Aug. 4: Wild Adriatic, rock and soul, Glen Sanders Mansion

• Aug. 5: Brian Patneaude Quartet, jazz, Turf Tavern

• Aug. 8: Hair of the Dog, Irish, Charlie Palmer/Glenville Rotary

• Aug. 11: Jo Henley Band, Americana/folk rock, Buhrmaster Energy Group

• Aug. 12: The Wister Quarter, classical, Trustco Bank

• Aug. 15: Refrigerators, party rock, Gabriel’s Market

• Aug. 18: The Puppet People, children’s music, Kids Peace

• Aug. 19: Electric City Chorus, barbershop, town of Glenville

• Aug. 22: Grand Central Station, party rock, River Stone Manor

• Aug. 25: Captain Squeeze & Zydeco Moshers, Price Chopper

• Aug. 26: Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, Rowledge Insurance

• Aug. 29: Ernie Williams Band — Special Tribute Performance, Jumpin’ Jack’s

The concert series kicks off June 20 with Funk Evolution. The lineup mixes old favorites like The Refrigerators, marking their 10th year as part of the concert series, along with other standbys such as alternative rock band Sirsy, party rockers Audiostars, the big band sound of the Scotia-Glenville Community Band, the Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band, the Irish sounds of Hair of the Dog, the brass quintet the Route Fifty 5 and The Puppet People children’s show.

“We have a lot of loyal bands that come back year after year, and the crowd loves it,” Gatta said.

In addition, there will be a fireworks show following the June 29 performance of Headroom, which is sponsored by Jumpin’ Jacks.

The concert series will close Aug. 29 with a special tribute performance by the Ernie Williams Band. Band leader Williams died in March at the age of 87.

In addition to the weather issue, Freedom Park officials had to contend with a cut of $2,000 in funding from Scotia because of the constraints of the state property tax cap. The village will continue to provide in-kind services such as paying for utilities and insurance.

Burrows said volunteers “scrambled” to come up with the necessary funds. Two sponsors stepped forward — Jeff Gabriel of Gabriel’s Market and Jumpin’ Jacks proprietor Mark Lansing.

The Scotia-Glenville Dental Center is the presenting sponsor for the entire season. Dr. Jeffrey Backer said his business has sponsored individual concerts, so this is a natural progression. He has enjoyed coming to the concert series for many years.

“I enjoyed dancing on the dance floor with my daughters,” he said.

All concerts are free to the public and are usually held on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, with occasional Thursday dates. All performances start at 7 p.m. except for the fireworks concert, which starts at 8 p.m. Bringing a chair or blanket is recommended.

The entire schedule will soon be posted at www.FreedomParkScotia.org.