The start of summer means the return of outdoor music around the Capital District and there are plenty of ways to spend a warm summer night right in the Town of Colonie. From a line-up heavy on upbeat rock music at Cook Park to a summer of purposefully varied acts at The Crossings to theme nights at Buhrmaster Barn, there’s something for just about any musical palate.
The Pruyn House has been hosting outdoor music for about 23 years with its Concerts in the Barn every Wednesday night from July 11 to Aug. 8. Unlike other local venues, it has a long tradition of serving up more than just music.
“This is our niche. We do ethnic nights and the food to match,” said Joanne Fitzgibbon, concert chairwoman. “Everyone has concerts too so we kind of focused in on the ethnic background.”
This year’s series kicks off on July 11 with a night of music from the ‘50s and ‘60s and food provided by Outback Steak House, the only night that deviates from the ethnic trend. It’s followed up by a German night with music by the Schwarzenegger Connection and dinner by Rolf’s Pork store; Italian night featuring music by The Good Times Band and food by the American Italian Heritage Association; Irish Night with local favorite Hair of the Dog and corned beef sandwiches; and Polish night with the Rymanowski Bros. Orchestra and a polish dinner by Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa Church.
“We’re satisfying different groups of people who have become accustomed to coming to our facility and enjoying those nights,” said Fitzgibbon. “It’s just a nice place to be.”
She said turnout is largely dependent on the weather but a “good night” will draw 500 to 600 people.
Admission is $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Proceeeds benefit restoration and upkeep of the property. Concert goers can sit and dance in the barn or bring lawn chairs and blankets and lounge on the lawn.
Free summer concerts at The Crossings have become a huge hit but they didn’t even exist until about five years ago when Joe Vellano of Vellano Bros., Inc. felt like something was missing.
“That park is so great and it didn’t have any music. I’m also a musician and I thought it was a great venue to have summer concerts,” said Vellano. “It’s such a beautiful venue, not to have concerts there would be criminal.”
The town had little money to spare so Vellano started providing all the financial support needed to pull off the Thursday night concerts. He does everything from carefully booking the artists to hitting the stage.
“They’ve been a pretty big hit with the locals. It’s a nice thing to do on Thursday evenings,” said Vellano. “I try to freshen up a couple acts every year and I try to go across the board musically.”
One of his shining acts is Holly McCormack, an opera singer and Colonie native. His own band The Pipe Kings — a play on the family pipe business that’s been in the town for generations — will again offer classic rock and a string quartet may appeal to residents of Beltrone Center who like to walk over.
“A lot of elderly walk over so I have to have something to appeal to that demographic,” said Vellano.
One of the most popular nights features local jazz musician Keith Pray. Vellano said the saxophone player is “a local treasure” and July 21 will mark his fourth year as a performer.
“Performing outdoors is a totally different experience. There is no room to contain the sound so it can be a challenge to find your normal sound comfortably. That being said, it is so nice to be in the fresh air and everyone is so relaxed,” said Pray.
This year, Pray is mixing things up and bringing his New Orleans style brass band to the park.
“It’s made for the outdoors and made to attract a crowd,” said Pray.
Concerts start a 6:30 p.m. in the gazebo and go off rain or shine. Vellano said providing the free entertainment is “a labor of love” and something he’s happy to do.
“It’s something we can do that’ll bring a lot of joy to the community and at the same time have fun doing it, so what the heck,” said Vellano.
The first concert is July 7 with the Georgie Wonders Orchestra, which is Big Band music. The Pipe Kings take the stage July 14, followed by Pray on July 21; country, folk and bluegrass by Jeff Gonzales on July 28; vocals from all eras with 2 Broads with Alotta Sound on Aug. 4; crooner Nick Coluccio on Aug. 11; opera by Holly McCormack on Aug. 18; and Kristen Caesar’s Kidz Theater on Aug. 25.
Cook Park gets the summer music started early on June 12 when Tuesday Nights in the Park kick off. Shows start at 6:30 p.m. at the Frank A. Leak Amphitheater and draw more than 800 people.
Opening night features the Pipe Kings, followed by popular country band Skeeter Creek on June 19; celtic music by Triskele on June 26; Swing Docs on July 3; Mixed Company on July 10; classic rock by Code Blue and blues by The Hallertau Band on July 17; T.S. Ensemble on July 24; Electric City Horns on July 31; Captain Squeeze & The Zydeco Moshers on Aug. 7; polka music by Rymanowski Bros. On Aug. 14; ‘50s and ‘60s music by Jade on Aug. 21; and Hair of the Dog on Aug. 28.
