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Big crowd braves heat to kick off new series of Medina blues concerts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2024 at 10:40 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Pat Harrington Trio played Thursday evening at State Street Park under the pavilion to kick off Medina’s third Blue Thursdays concert series. The trio include Pat Harrington, right, Owen Eichensehr and Paul Yates.

At least 600 people attended the concert, despite temperatures near 90.

The lineup for the blues concerts the rest of the season includes:

  • June 27: Dave Viterna Group
  • July 11: Nickel City Blues Band
  • July 18: Maria Aurigema
  • July 25: Thurman Brothers Band
  • Aug. 1: Frank Grizanti Band
  • Aug. 8: Tommy Z Band

Pat Harrington, a Grammy nominated musician from Gasport, performed for two hours in the debut concert for this year’s concert series. Harrington lives in Memphis, Tenn. and has toured full-time nationally and internationally the past five years.

Harrington will be performing with Victor Wainwright and The Train for part of the summer, including a concert on Wednesday in Atlantic City, NJ. Click here for more about Pat Harrington.

Several food and beverage vendors are at the concerts.

The seven-concert series is produced by The Print Shop in partnership with the Orleans Renaissance Group.

There is no charge to attend the concerts and no vendor fee for those selling food and beverages.

Ken Daluisio, owner of The Print Shop, said the goal is to bring a big crowd to Medina, which he said benefits local businesses and the community.

Steven Sones, owner of NOLA Concessions in Medina, serves up a snow cone. He started the business on June 1 and the “Sno Balls” he makes are very popular in New Orleans, where he grew up.

He offers 12 flavors and tops them the snow cone with sweet condensed milk. He served more than 100 of them for free to kids on Wednesday when the temperatures were well above 90 degrees.

NOLA Concessions will be at Blue Thursday, the Albion concert series on Wednesdays, and at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market location on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Most of the attendees brought their own lawn chairs and relaxed for two hours, listening to the music.