Albion kicks off new season of concerts on Wednesday at Bullard Park
Kendall Community Band leads off series of 15 concerts
File photos by Tom Rivers: Savage Cabbage performed on the amphitheater stage at Bullard Park last July 31. The band has been playing locally since 1979 and includes cabbage farmers – Frank, John and Andrew Starowitz, as well as other musicians. Frank Starowitz, center, sings “Lick It Up” by Kiss. From left include Mike “Grinder” Moore, John Starowitz, Frank Starowitz and Mike “Thunder” Warren.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern
ALBION – The Village of Albion kicks off a new summer concert series this Wednesday at Bullard Park.
The Kendall Community Band will begin the concert series, with the Albion Jazz Band and Carson and Sam playing the following Wednesday, June 11.
The concerts will take place every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., except for the Independence Day Celebration Festival on July 3rd, which is on a Thursday. The bands will play at the park’s amphitheater.
In order to organize the concert series, John Grillo, the village’s recreation director and concert organizer, stated that he reaches out to bands around New York. He aims to include many local bands. He also varies which bands play each year, with just a couple of returners. He features a wide array of genres in the concerts, such as soul, country, rock and acoustic.
There is plenty for children and adults alike to do around Bullard Park. Grillo detailed how the park contains a children’s playground, a Splash Pad, two beautiful basketball courts, a picnic area with three pavilions, a walking trail, disc golf course, updated restrooms, and soccer, football and baseball fields.
The concerts will feature food vendors, the Albion Masons and Wild Flour Deli & Bakery, as well as a vendor that sells snow cones, Grillo said. The Albion Masons will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, and drinks, and Wild Flour will be selling sweet treats, sandwiches and various pastries.
Those who are interested in being a vendor at the concerts can contact the Village Office at (585) 589-9176.
Other summer concert series tend to begin during late June or early July. On starting earlier, Grillo explained that he hopes to provide community members with the opportunity to get up and out of the house and enjoy themselves before then.
“As the director, I am very excited about this year’s lineup, and we hope that the community will take advantage of this free opportunity,” Grillo said. “I would like to thank the Village of Albion for their support. I would like to thank GO ART! for the grant received, and I would also like to thank George Bidleman of Orleans Ford Car Dealership for sponsoring the advertising.”
The concert lineup includes:
- June 4 – Kendall Community Band
- June 11 – Albion Jazz Band from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- June 11 – Carson and Sam 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- June 18 – Salvatore
- June 25 – Feedback
- July 2 – Soul Street
- July 3 – (Thursday) Ryan and Company from 4 to 6 p.m.
- July 3 – (Thursday) 104 Country from 6 to 7:45 p.m.
- July 3 – (Thursday) The Who Dats from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m.
- July 9 – Side Doors
- July 16 – Savage Cabbage
- July 23 – Groove
- July 30 – The Dave Viterna Band
- August 6 – Sky Cats
- August 13 – Highway 31
- August 20 – Rain Date
- August 27 – Rain Date
Highway 31 performed at the amphitheater of Bullard Park of Aug. 21 last year. The band played ’90s music, contemporary country and some rock. The band members include Rich Nolan of Gasport as lead singer, and the guitar trio of Aaron Clark of Holley, Clinton LaPorte of Le Roy, and Clinton’s dad Tim LaPorte Sr. of Batavia. Timmy LaPorte of Elba, Tim’s son and Clinton’s brother, is the drummer for the band.
