Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 6/18/2021
SOUTH HADLEY – The South Hadley Recreation Department is back with its annual summer concert series July 1 through Aug. 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Town Commons, with nine acts already set up.
The concert series is funded solely by donations. This year's series is funded by the Village Commons and a grant through the South Hadley Art's Council, along with several other local businesses such as Village Eye Care, PeoplesBank, Easthampton Savings Bank and TechFab.
Recreation Director Andy Rogers said, "This was something many people have reached out to us throughout the last few months hoping we were able to bring it back this summer. With the COVID landscape changing, we're really happy to do so. These concerts are very popular and it's for all ages."
He went on to say, "The State of Emergency is over on June 15 and the concerts are going to be fully normal. We're asking if people haven't had the vaccine, they should keep themselves socially distanced and follow whatever the state guidelines are at that point."
The Villages Commons started the summer concert series over two decades ago, supporting and sponsoring the event on the South Hadley Town Commons. Jeffrey Labrecque, the chief operating officer for the Village Commons, said their goal was to provide a concert series that would promote a neighbor connection for all ages while bringing in folks from all over the area to enjoy music while relaxing, shopping and dining at the businesses located at the Village Commons.
Labrecque explained, "Over a period of time, the concert series continued to grow to a point which the town of South Hadley's Recreation Department eventually offered to step in to manage the event in 2009 as part of their annual recreational offerings." Once the recreation department took over, the Village Commons' management office no longer scheduled or managed the event. However, they continue to sponsor the summer concert series every year.
The South Hadley Recreation Department is a town department that offers youth and adult sports as well as fitness classes, bus trips, summer concerts, summer programming and special events.
"We started running the series in 2009," Rogers responded. "We've always had a committee that we've had of people from the community that will volunteer to help us run the event which includes band selection, day of operations and help advertising."
Prior to that, Rogers said the Village Commons was running the concerts inside their grounds. Through some volunteer efforts, the town built a gazebo on the Town Common. It was suggested that the concerts be moved from inside the Village Commons onto the Town Commons using the gazebo. The Recreation Department developed a partnership with their various sponsors, the Village Commons and the committee of volunteers in the community.
Rogers added, "I would like to thank Dan Daniels for that idea, who passed away about a year ago."
An empty Dubble Bubble gum bucket will be passed at each show to collect donations and help subsidize the cost. Member of the summer concert series committee Dan Kelly told Reminder Publishing that about four years ago they found themselves coming up a little short on sponsors. It was suggested that maybe they could pass the hat to help defer some of the cost.
"I was reluctant at first," Kelly answered. "I felt uneasy about asking for money at a free event. But, after just honestly explaining our situation to the attending music lovers and keeping it a totally no pressure situation, I was taken back by the friendly willingness of the crowed to generously give when they could to keep these events going."
Kelly got involved in the event eight years ago through a conversation with Daniels who was running the concerts at the time and looking for someone to take it over. As a musician, Kelly said he's a big supporter of local live music and thought it would be a good fit for him. The summer concert series committee is a three-member committee with Kelly, Danielle Kotfila and Bob Brown where they all work together toward organizing the schedule and choosing the acts.
"The Pioneer Valley is loaded with a wealth of musical talent," Kelly replied. "We're really blessed to be in this position. To be able to bring music to the center of town on Thursday nights here in South Hadley."
He continued, "There's a benefit to it that's a little hard to describe what a really great group of live musicians can do for your heart and soul especially in a time like we just had this last year. It's like medicine. It's very much needed at this time and very much appreciated by the local people."
For updates on cancellations, visit their website at www.southhadleyrecreation.org or their Facebook page.
If there is inclement weather and the concert is canceled, the rain date will be the following Sunday, but there will be no rain date for the July 1 concert.
South Hadley Summer Concert Series events include:
•July 1- Jeff Gavioli and his Bad News Jazz and Blues Orchestra
•July 8- The Willie's
•July 15- Midlife Crisis
•July 22-Livio Gravini & the Free Spirit Society
•July 29- Off the Record
•Aug. 5- Night Moves
•Aug. 12- Jimmy Mazz Duo
•Aug. 19- 3X Social
•Aug. 26- Berkshire Hills Academy