Canal concert series rocks downtown Albion

Photos by Sue Cook – The Dady Brothers were the featured act of the concert, performing a set list of mostly Irish music. John Dady is in front with Joe behind him.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

ALBION – A crowd of about 200 came out to enjoy a free concert on East Bank Street in Albion on Thursday night. The performance was the first in a series of concerts put on by the village of Albion, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and the Albion Rotary Club.

Sid Beaty, program coordinator, explained how the GO Art! Reach Grant helped to fund the concert series.

“We got some money from GO Art! to put the concert on and we wanted to try to do a multi-faceted event, so we have the farmers’ market, which hopefully expands,” she said. “The Merchants Association does extended shopping hours until 7 p.m., too. We’re trying to do a lot of things at once to try and bring more people in.”

“Hopefully this is the kind of thing that we’re going to keep doing year after year,” she said.

The Pedestrians band includes, from left, Zach Deluca, Mark Proietty and Bobby Skrzypek.

The evening began with Bobby Skrzypek And The Pedestrians (click here) playing their fusion of rock ‘n roll and reggae music. Their line up included original songs “Beautiful Green Dress Woman” and “Soulless Man,” and some Bob Marley.

Lead singer and rhythm player Bobby Skrzypek started off with a steel drum solo that got the crowd warmed up. He went on throughout the evening to play ukelele and hang drum as well. “We’re all about variety of instruments,” said Skrzypek.

During the concert, the Albion Fire Department sold food and beverages as a small fundraiser. They plan to set up at every concert in the series.

Harry Papponetti, Deputy Fire Chief, said, “I think it’s great for the community and helps bring people around again like during the Strawberry Festival when the bands were playing.”

The Dady Brothers (click here) originate from Rochester, but have played across America and have toured to Ireland several times. Their music is a mix of country, bluegrass, Irish and folk. This year they are celebrating their 40th year as musicians.

A crowd gathered on East Bank Street for the concert.

Joe Dady played multiple instruments throughout the evening including guitar, penny whistle, bodhran (Irish drum), fiddle and harmonica. His brother, John, played guitar and ukelele, but did impersonations of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash that got the crowd howling with laughter.

The brothers played a variety of their own songs and covers that included “Here Comes the Sun,” “Lanigan’s Ball” and “The Orange Blossom Special.”

Joe Dady popped the penny whistle in John’s mouth during the performance while John continued playing guitar.

Gail Allen, a resident of Point Breeze, said “We love Irish music and the Dady Brothers play really great Irish music. I’m glad to see the community doing this sort of thing and we’d be very much in support of having this continue.”

Audience participation was encouraged through sing-a-longs and clapping the rhythm.

After The Dady Brothers concluded their performance, they invited The Pedestrians back up to collaborate together on a reggae song. The joint effort blended the two groups together and made a great finale as the sun set.

John Dady said that Jayden Borrero, 9, had approached them before the concert and asked to join their band. During the final song, he had Jayden play the bodhran to try and keep the beat.

Concerts will take place on June 26 and July 10, 17 and 24. Performances begin at 6 p.m.

Sid Beaty is still seeking farmers interested in joining the market portion of the event. Farmers can call the village at 589-9176 to ask about participating.