Troy events have come a long way since their inception more than a decade ago.
What started as just idea’s, were embraced by the general public, and made into what they are today — HUGE!
My friend Tony from Catskill summed it up best last season when he said, “Troy events have a more relaxed, laid back vibe than any other city across New York state.”
At Powers Park, for instance, you can have guys like Ty Smith (one of my favorite cartoon characters), sitting next to a County Judge. People of all different demographic groups come together each week, with never a hint of a problem. This was a goal of ours when we began, to offer people great entertainment — in a trouble free setting.
The Powers Park Concerts will kick off its 13th season Monday, July 4, with a double-billed performance by Troy favorites Super400 and the Blue Machine.
Saturday, July 9 brings a night of blues with guitar virtuoso Matt Mirabile.
Saturday, July 23 marks the 12th appearance of Al Bruno headlining, ‘Oldies Night’.
Blue Hand Luke, with the enigmatic Tommy Love, hit the Neil Kelleher Stage for the first time in eight years Saturday, July 30.
The biggest name in local country music, Skeeter Creek, returns to the historic park Saturday, Aug. 6, with the iconic Refrigerators once again taking no prisoners, Tuesday, Aug. 13.
‘Sinatra under the Stars’ is the theme for Saturday, Aug. 20, with local throwback singer Nick Coluccio performing all the hits of Old Blue Eyes.
The season finale features local rock royalty, Emerald City, Saturday, Aug. 27.
Rocco Mazzarello and Adirondack Sound Systems will once again be handling the sound tech chores.
Sponsorship for the concerts is provided by local businesses – folks that give back to the community that supports their endeavors. Special thanks goes out to John Murphy of Snowman, Mike Gabriel of Lansingburgh Laundry, Val Fiacco of the Beverage Barn, Robin Luce of Perfection Painting, Russ Gamache of Collar City Masonry, Don Fane of Warren W. Fane Inc., Chris Chenes of the Tri City Valley Cats, Matt Bertrand of WellCare, Maureen Yee of Whitney Young Health/Troy, Advanced Auto Parts, and the Friends of 112th St. Without their support, the concerts would not happen. Media support, as always, comes from the Troy Record, and WVCR 88.3fm The Saint. Weekly 50/50 raffles are a big part of the concert experience. Organizations such as the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club, Rensselaer County Hero’s @Home, Tyler Jarosz Scholarship Fund, Rensselaer County Backpack Program, Veterans Miracle Center, and the Tri County Viet Nam Vets, will all benefit from concert-goers’ generosity this season. As always, festival foods, and non-alcoholic beverages are available at each show, as is face painting for the kids. There are no pets allowed, so please leave the dog, iguanas, ferrets and snakes at home.
This will be the first season that my friend, City Director of Operations Bill Chamberlain will not be around to bail me out when I hit a snag with something – as he was tragically taken from us last December. Bill was a guy who I could always depend on to troubleshoot any problem that inevitably would arise during the course of our event season. He used to call the concert series, “Vito’s Gypsy Fest,” but was always right there whenever I needed an assist. Working closely with him on all events, Bill was an amazing guy to watch in action. We would kick around ideas every year, trying to enhance and streamline the process. To say that it feels odd doing this without him would be an understatement. The worst part of losing him the way we did is that we never had a chance to even say goodbye.
The 2016 Troy event season is dedicated to the memory of Bill Chamberlain.
