Locals Twist & Shout at Summer Sunset Series Concert

The Bedford Recreation and Parks Department kicked off their Summer Sunset entertainment series on June 30 with 45 RPM band playing the hits of the 50's and 60's at Katonah Memorial Park. 

Over 70 showed up with picnic blankets and folding chairs to listen to the band play on a cool and clear summer evening. Children with hula hoops jumped and danced in front of the stage, while adults sang and jived along to favorite classics. 

"This is great fun," Katonah resident Jessica Inglis said. She was in attendance with her parents and young daughter, Amelia, who was dancing along with the beat.

The Summer Sunset Series has a history stretching back more than 20 years. What used to be called "People in the Park" has now evolved to a series of free musical and child entertainment. What hasn't changed is the family-friendly setting geared towards taking advantage of warm summer evenings.

Even out-of-towners attended, including Vera Jafet from Belgium. She was visiting her brother in the area when she decided to attend the concert with a local friend. 

"It's lovely," she said. "It is so  great to be outside." 

The calm evening was occasionally interjected with a shout from the audience- "Play the Beach Boys!" and "How about the Twist?" were common requests during the night. The band complied, and was met with an appreciative audience jumping to their feet to groove with the music. 

"We go to town events, but this is our first music series," said Bedford Hills resident Liz Bailey. "We would come back. We'll definitely come back." 

The Summer Sunset Series offers six outdoor concerts this summer at parks throughout the area. For more information, click here. 

Daryl Sudlow, the Assistant Superintendent of Recreation, works with Recreation Leader Kim O'Brien to bring the Summer Concert Series to the three hamlets. She attends as many of the events as she can, and can't seem to pick any one evening out as her favorite.

"They are all very popular, it just depends what you're out there looking for," said O'Brien.

As far as how the series kick-off went, Sudlow is very pleased.

"I thought they were really, really good. They got the audience up and dancing. It was really neat to watch couples dancing and people doing the twist.

"If you have children or not, we hope you come out and enjoy," Sudlow said. "It takes you back to what summer is all about: Get together with your neighborhood friends, kicking back and relaxing and enjoying entertainment and each other's company at the same time."

Download the movie