While many in-person concerts have been canceled due to COVID-19, the Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series will move forward starting tonight with a performance from Jim Gaudet & The Railroad Boys.
“Due to the turmoil caused by the Coronavirus pandemic this year, we came close to having to cancel this year’s Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series,” said organizer Bill Ackerbauer in a news release. “However, as our region has moved into ‘Phase 4’ of the recovery effort, we are able to proceed with outdoor concerts.”
The free concert series takes place at the Charles Jenner Bandshell on West Main Street from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and includes performances by regional bands from a mix of genres including funk and soul band Hanzolo, bluegrass outfit The North & South Dakotas and Irish-American duo Drank the Gold.
Audience members will be required to maintain social distancing with people who are not members of their household. Attendees can also bring lawn chairs and blankets and they must wear a mask when not sitting down.
In case of rain, the concerts will be live-streamed on the Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series’ Facebook page. The bands will perform inside St. John’s Episcopal Church, though no live audience will be permitted inside due to safety restrictions.
In its third year, the concert series is funded by the Johnstown Citizens Band, a Community Arts Grant provided through Saratoga Arts and other local sponsors.
For more information, visit the Johnstown Midsummer Concert Series on Facebook or email [email protected].
Here’s a look at the line-up:
Thu., July 23: Jim Gaudet & The Railroad Boys, an acoustic Americana band based in the Capital Region. Gaudet is backed up by Sten Isachsen on mandolin and electric guitar, Bob Ristau on bass, and Sara Milonovich on fiddle. Jonathan Blake, a local singer-guitarist, will open the show with a set of acoustic rock.
Thu., July 30: Hanzolo, a funk-and-soul band from Cooperstown. The band recently released its debut LP called “Table Butter.” Local singer-guitarist Nicole Campbell will open.
Thu., Aug. 6: The North & South Dakotas, a bluegrass ensemble based in the Albany-Saratoga region known for its laid-back vibe and instrumental jams. Johnstown’s Matthew Bosworth will open the show with a solo acoustic set.
Thu., Aug. 13: Drank the Gold, the Saratoga Springs-based Irish-American duo of Oona Grady and James Gascoyne, who will be joined by accompanist Chris Carey. The Adirondack folk duo of Keanen Stark and Orion Kribs will open.
Categories: Entertainment, Fulton Montgomery Schoharie, Life and Arts
