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Date: 3/18/2021
SOMERS, CT – The Somers Cultural Commission will host an outdoor spring concert series beginning May 1 through May 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Gazebo on 19 Battle St. They have artists coming from the Connecticut and Massachusetts area ranging from country western, rock 'n' roll, pop rock, soul and R&B, dance party bands and tribute artists.
Cultural Commission Chair and Coordinator Ann Levesque explained the series, “We try to bring our community together through these diverse cultural activities, enjoy the camaraderie and different aspects of culture with art, photography and live music. This year because we’re still in pandemic mode, we are going to have only outdoor concerts available. We’re trying to mix it up and have all kinds of music to entertain and to appeal to everyone.”
Prior to that, Levesque said in 2019 the Commission had their spring indoor photography show, but because they have ongoing restrictions it will not take place this year. Instead, they decided to put an outdoor concert series in the spring lineup for 2021.
“We are going to follow CDC guidelines. Everyone attending must wear a mask except entertainers. They may bring their own chairs and may bring a picnic. The field will be marked for 15 feet distance. Portable sanitized restroom facilities will be available as well as handicapped parking,” said Levesque.
The Somers Cultural Commission was established in 1992 by artist/teacher Linda Percoski and artist Neil Connell along with 10 other Somers residents who wanted to see cultural activities promoted in the community. The Commission's first Art show began in the fall of 1993 and has been recognized as one of the best juried art shows in the area to this day, with Neil Connell at the helm still organizing the popular event with his committee. As time went on at the art shows, Levesque said there was an increased interest in adding photography and the decision was made to open a new photography show in the spring of 2000. In 1998, the Somers Cultural Commission began their outdoor summer concert series with performances at the Gazebo between the Historical Society building and the Somers Senior Center on 19 Battle St.
After the spring concerts, the Commission will have their normal summer concert series on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning June 24 to Aug. 5. The fall concert series will follow from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, beginning Sept. 4 to Oct. 9.
“Last year we tried the Fall series and it turned out to be a success so we had to bring it back,” Levesque revealed. “People were overwhelmed with the community spirit. The entertainers were fabulous and folks were looking for normalcy in their lives and live music brought that to them, if only for two hours. And with the beautiful autumn Saturdays we had last year, it was truly a blessing.”
Levesque told Reminder Publishing that the Art Show will return in September of 2021 and the Photography Show will come back in the spring of 2022. In the meantime, she’s hoping to see how this year turns out. In response, Levesque said the Somers Cultural Commission knows that our audiences love live music and they love being outdoors listening to music. “We want to give our community and other communities around us something cultural to look forward to during these challenging times as well as providing the entertainers the opportunity to do what they love to do,” Levesque closed.
For more information on the outdoor concert series, call Levesque at 860-749-2630 or visit www.somersct.gov/boards-and-commissions/cultural-commission. Since the Somers Cultural Commission is a nonprofit organization, they do ask for free will donations at the concerts.
SPRING CONCERT SERIES Saturday afternoons from 1- 3 p.m.
•May 1- The Cartells – Party Band
•May 8- Decades Experience Dance Band
•May 15- Rick Larrimore – The Ultimate Tribute to Rod Stewart
•May 22- Floyd Patterson with LaDawn - Motown, Soul, R & B
•May 29- Truck Stop Troubadours – Country & Western
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Thursday evenings from 6- 8 p.m.
•June 24- Night Shift – ‘60s to ‘80s Fun Songs
•July 1- Steel N Eazy – Country Tunes with a Twist
•July 8- Country Rock ‘n’ Roll Classics with Jimmy Mazz
•July 15- The Knightsmen Band – Rock ‘n’ Roll ‘50s to Now
•July 22- Union Jack – British Invasion & The ‘60s
•July 29- Center Stage – Motown Hits and More
•Aug. 5- The Boogie Boys – Swing & Country ‘50s to ‘70s
FALL CONCERT SERIES Saturday afternoons from 1- 3 p.m.
•Sept. 4- Freddie Marion & Dan Kane - American Songbook
•Sept. 11- Big Deal Band – Rock ‘n’ Roll ‘60s to Today
•Sept. 18- Truck Stop Troubadours – Country & Western
•Sept. 25- Decades Experience Dance Band
•Oct. 2- Tribute to Elvis with Ray of Elvis
•Oct. 9- By Request – Acoustic Rick Sings Your Favorite Tunes