by Shera Cohen
www.inthespotlightinc.org
Question: Think downtown Springfield. Now think outdoor
summer music. Put these two thoughts together. What is the answer to this
combo?
Answer: Of course, Biker Night – the sounds of hot 70’s
& 80’s bands on Thursdays at Stearns Square.
And there’s a second answer: A new series, about a half-mile
from Stearns, just up the hill on the beautiful grounds of Springfield Armory
(on the grounds of STCC). The music brings nearly all genres to downtown,
except perhaps hot rock. The schedule also fits convenient times, except for
Thursdays. In other words, there’s
so much music to literally fill the air for many different audiences, right
there in the center of Springfield.
Springfield Armory’s five concert series – with at least one
concert each month – takes place on its pristine acres of lawn. Located at the
corner of Federal and State streets, there is lots of free parking on the
grounds. All concerts are free.
Beginning summer early is the U.S. Coast Guard Dixieland
Jazz Band on Monday, May 27th at 2pm. Appropriately in keeping with the
Armory’s significant role in the history of the United States will be a
Memorial Day Commemoration Concert. The Dixieland Jazz Band was organized in
1970 to perform classic jazz, blues, and rags with a New Orleans flavor. The
eight-member troupe has entertained audiences across America, as well as in
Europe, and Asia. Notable venues included Preservation Hall in New Orleans and
Times Square in New York City.
One of the important features of Armory Day, now in its 15th
year, is the music of the Victorian Quadrille Orchestra, joined by the Small
Planet Dancers’ Civil War Ballroom performance on Saturday, June 22nd at 1pm.
The seven-member Quadrille and 12-member dance troupe will perform their
90-minute concert/dance which includes: quadrilles, mazurkas, polkas, waltzes,
and reels. The Victorian Quadrille repertoire of songs has been arranged and
orchestrated for the era. All participants will be dressed in historical period
costumes.
July brings the Annual Big Band Concert. In the tradition of
the actual Benny Goodman Band, which performed at the Armory in 1943, this
summer’s headliner is Blue Skies Big Band on Saturday, July 13th at 6:30pm. See
PRIME’s July issue for more about this fabulous concert. In the meantime,
consider this a “Hold the Date” notice.
The U.S. Army continues the theme of military band concerts
at the Armory. On Wednesday, July 24th at 7pm, the 215th U.S. Army Band will
take the outdoor stage. This band numbers 42 and their music will include
genres from Broadway to blues, classical to country, R&B to rock ‘n roll.
This is the first time that the 215th has performed in Springfield.
On a personal note (pun intended), I’ve been counting the
number of military bands concerts which I have been involved in producing in
the Springfield area. Having worked for the cities of Springfield and Chicopee,
Bravo and In the Spotlight, and Springfield Armory, the 215th will be my 100th
concert. The first was in 1980. I told my boss at the time, “No one will come
to these military concerts. Who wants to hear two hours of patriotic music?”
None the less, I was instructed to make it happen. Well, that was a huge, “I
told you so.” Was I ever wrong when I saw 1500+ in attendance listening to
music of all genres. And, yes, there was the finale of the traditional Armed
Forces medley.
The series’ finale, once again, features the U.S. Army –
this time the 94th U.S. Army Reserve Band on Saturday, August 17th at 7:30pm.
The eight members will bring contemporary pop music to the Armory.
The rain site for Springfield Armory concerts is Scibelli
Hall Theatre, adjacent to the Armory at STCC. Credit for the Victorian
Quadrille concert is given to the Springfield Cultural Council. For information
check www.nps.gov/spar or call 413-734-8551.
