Music in the Park Brings a Mid-Week Treat to Albany

Music in the Park, now in its seventh season, has been putting the happy in Hump Day all month long. Wednesday night, the lawn in front of the stage became a patchwork of picnic blankets with families huddling together as the evening cooled.

Many had enviable picnic spreads of cheese, crackers and wine for the grown-ups. String lights surrounded the stage as the band alternated from relaxed Brazilian jazz to energetic salsa rhythms that got the kids, big or small, up on their feet dancing front and center.  

Wednesday, the new Memorial Park stage welcomed Bay Area's own Grupo Falso Baiano.

With Zack Pitt-Smith on saxophone and flute, Brian Moran on mandolin, Q Morrow on 7-string guitar and Ami Molinelli on percussion, these "fake Brazilians" (as they refer to themselves on their website) are deeply based in traditional Brazilian choro music, but allow many modern influences as well. 

The city of Albany puts on the weekly show, which is free and open to all. Since the event started seven years ago, Target has provided a community grant to help cover part of the costs involved in putting on the concert series.

Albany resident Neil Ramos, 38, said this was his second year coming to the concert series.

"I signed up for a city e-mail list and went to two or three concerts last fall. This band is a little more relaxed than the shows I saw last year though," he said.

While this show turned out a little mellow for his taste, kids of all ages ruled the dance floor, leaving the grown-ups to watch them, or simply watch out. Dancing alternated between conga lines, impromptu games of tag and the old grab-a-friend-and-spin-around. 

Though a local event, Music in the Park has been drawing crowds from surrounding cities as well. Oakland residents Ingrid Bauer, Benjamin Zappin and nearly 2-year-old Sylvan Zappin got invited by a couple of friends.

"I don't usually come to Albany since the traffic gets pretty heavy on 580, but two friends e-mailed me about this and it's great!" said Bauer. 

Upon finishing a song, Pitt-Smith joked, "I know why this song is called Bebé. It just keeps on going -- ta-da-da, ta-da-da, ta-da-da...", imitating the rhythm to the laughter of nodding parents, "You know what I mean! But really, it's so great to see all these kids here."

It was true. The kids danced, spun, twisted and jumped tirelessly until the very end of the performance. Those not dancing were hanging over the side of the stage amazed at the melodies and rhythms coming out of the many instruments on stage.

Chelle Putzer, organizer of this event, echoed Pitt-Smith's sentiments, and added, "I just love seeing kids so interested in the instruments." There's no doubt that with such amazing musicians gracing the Memorial Park stage, some of these kids are bound catch the music bug. 

You'll have two more chances to check out Music in the Park this month. Pack a picnic, bring your family and tell your neighbors about it. 

• Sept. 22 brings us The Surreal Neil with solo acoustic covers of Neil Diamond favorites.
• Sept. 29 goes a few years back with Rubber Souldiers, a Beatles tribute band with a rockabilly twist. 

Music in the Park happens Wednesdays through September, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Memorial Park.