WOW jazzed for some 'good old summer times'

Date: 6/23/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WESTFIELD -- The city is poppin' this summer and it's louder than ever during Westfield on Weekends' (WOW) Good Old Summer Times.

The lengthy calendar includes theater, children's programming, art exhibitions, the Grandmother's Garden Gala, a mystery dinner theater and much more.

"Good Old Summer Times is proof positive of the vibrant community life of Westfield," Bob Plasse, president of WOW and co-chair of Good Old Summer Times, said.

Business Improvement District (BID) Executive Director Lisa McMahon, also co-chair of Good Old Summer Times, explained that growing demand for programming has propelled this series to its largest season yet.

"It's exciting that we've grown so much," she said, adding that WOW's seasonal events generate much-needed downtown foot traffic. "WOW is a key player to bring people downtown as well as BID and [the non-profit Westfield] Arts on the Green. It's such a synergy and if we can keep that synergy going it will make a huge difference [for downtown]."

Josephine Sarnelli, coordinator of events and programs, noted that in addition to old favorites such as the Arts on the Green Festival, WOW has created new programming including the Big Band Concert Series.

"There's nothing like dancing to live music," said Jeff Lander, dance instructor, who will be teaching complimentary lessons with dance partner Sarnelli at the Big Band Concert Series. "It's our hope to build a strong dance community here in Westfield, so people do not have to travel long distances to find [a place to] dance with a DJ, let alone a live band."

Sarnelli noted that the success of the series will dictate whether or not the programming will be made a year-round event. Dance lessons will take place at 6:30 p.m. prior to the concerts at 7 p.m. at School Street Bistro.

"This year's Good Old Summer Times is bigger and better than ever with more family events than ever before," Plasse said. "From concerts to professional theatre to events on the green, there is something to do almost every day and something for every taste."

For more information, visit www.westfieldonweekends.org.

The following is the calendar of events during Good Old Summer Times:

• Sundays: Stanley Park's Sunday Concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 30 at the Beveridge Pavilion. Free.

• Mondays: Monday Movies at the Athenaeum at 2 p.m. in the Lang Auditorium. Free.

• Tuesdays: Musical Moments at Amelia Park from 6:30 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 25. Free.

• Wednesdays: Stanley Park's American Legion concerts July 8 until July 29 at 7 p.m. at the Beveridge Pavilion. Free.

• Thursdays: Farmers Market on the Green from 2 to 6:30 p.m. into October.

• Third Thursdays: Big Band Concert Series on third Thursday of each month through August. Dance lessons at 6:30 p.m. Concert for listening and dancing at 7 p.m., at School Street Bistro. Cost: $10.

• Fridays: Stanley Park's Friday Mornings for Children through Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. in the Beveridge Pavilion. Free.

• Saturdays: Talented Tots and Teens on the Green at 11 a.m. through Labor Day. Free.

• Saturday Nights: Saturday Night Concerts on the Green from 5 to 8 p.m. through Labor Day. Free.

• June 24-27: "A Walk in the Woods" by Lee Blessing. Curtain at 8 p.m. at Piccolo's Ristorante. For reservations: 562-2277. Cost: $15.

• July 3: Kiwanis Club of Westfield presents Lights of Liberty Fireworks Celebration at 5:30 p.m. in Stanley Park. Free.

• July 7 (rain date: July 8): Cruise Night on the Green at 5 p.m. Free.

• July 9: Maia Sharp's concert on the Green at 7:30 p.m. Free.

• July 9: EAST Meets WESTfield Exhibit at WSC's Downtown Art Galley. The artists' reception will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free.

• July 9: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. on the Green. Fee.

• July 10: The 11th annual Grandmother's Garden Gala Benefit Weekend Garden Concert Party and Silent Auction. Fee.

• July 11 - 12: Grandmother's Garden Tour. For tickets and info: 562-9404 or 569-3232. Fee.

• July 29-31: "Riches," a comedy-drama by Lee Blessing. Curtain at 8 p.m. at Piccolo's Ristorante. For reservations: 562-2277. Cost: $15.

• Aug. 1, 5-7: "Riches," a comedy-drama by Lee Blessing. Curtain at 8 p.m. at Piccolo's Ristorante. For reservations: 562-2277. Cost: $15.

• Aug. 6: Westfield Rediscovered Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Exhibit at WSC's Downtown Art Gallery. The artists' reception will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free.

• Aug. 13: Changes in Latitude concert on the Green at 7:30 p.m. Free.

• Aug. 14: Cancer House of Hope Mystery Dinner Theatre Benefit at 6:30 p.m., at the Elks Lodge on Franklin Street. Fee.

• Aug. 21 - 23: 82nd annual Westfield Fair at the Westfield Fairgrounds on Russellville Road. Fee.

• Sept. 1: Opening day at WSC from 2 to 8 p.m. on the College Green. Celebrating African culture with food, music, barbecue picnic dinner and kids' activities. Music headliners are the Afro-Semitic Experience, Francis Mbappe and Ernest Williams. Free.

• Sept. 5-7: 6th annual Arts on the Green Festival. Free.

• Sept. 10: Roomful of Blues concert on the Green at 7:30 p.m. Free.