Fans Brave the Heat For Elvis Tribute Show in Eastchester Concert Series

Despite the 90-degree temperatures and heat advisories in the area, about 100 people braved the hot weather to see Patrick Perone's tribute to the Elvis Presley on Wednesday night on the grounds of Eastchester Town Hall.

The performance was the second in a series of free outdoor concerts put on by the Town.

"I am excited to kick off this summer concert series," said Susan Synder, the Superintendent of Recreation for Eastchester and event coordinator, "In addition to some old favorites, we have some new bands. We've also added rain dates so we don't miss any of the concerts. And we have added a concert on August 18th at Garth Road Park."

On Wednesday, the show began promptly at 7:30 p.m. Families with young children, adults, and seniors came armed with lawn chairs, blankets, food and drinks as they enjoyed the show.

Perone, who has been an Elvis tribute artist for the past three years, made his grand entrance to the 2001 A Space Odyssey theme and then went into Elvis' C.C. Rider. 

"My wife, Phyllis, started me on this. Sitting around the dinner table, she said that I sounded like Elvis. Why don't you play me an Elvis song?  I did. Then I told her when I was younger, I did some impersonating, but nothing on a big scale," Perone explained later.

He continued, "So at dinner, my wife said I should be an Elvis tribute artist. She found all of the resources, music, and clothes. There is a woman that makes all of my performance suits, based on the original patterns that Elvis had. When I began, we started working locally right here in Eastchester at a place called Java Joe's. It's no longer here, but it snowballed into bigger venues."

It's a collaborative effort for the Perone's. While Patrick sings, Phyllis manages, works the lights, soundboard, music, and CD sales.

"I am so proud of him," she said. "He is a blues singer and whenever I heard his voice I heard Elvis. I said to him, please sing me an Elvis song. Afterwards, I told him that he had to do something with this talent. I made him quit his job after 17 years at the Eastchester Medical OR—where we met—to pursue this. I told him I will do whatever he needed me to do and here we are. It's a small idea that became a business."

She continued, "We are in this together. We meet the most wonderful people and we're growing slowly, performing through the New York Tri-State area, Westchester, Orange, and Rockland Counties. We enjoy every moment of each concert as we see the smiles on people's faces."

People came from all over the area to attend the show. Eastchester resident Denise Del Ponto Desorno had three generations of her family at the concert.

"I've brought the whole family today—my twin daughters, mom and dad, uncle and aunt, and my cousins. I recruited them all today. I told them what was going on in Eastchester, we ate dinner together and now we are here. My mom loves Elvis," she explained.

Bronxville resident, Rita Bellucci, who was at the show, is also a big Elvis fan.

"Ever since I was a little girl, I loved Elvis," she said, "When he did his Hawaiian Show, it was the same night Gone with the Wind was on. I made my husband put the two televisions together and I watched both at the same time. That was before VCRs, DVDs, and picture in picture. But honest to God, when Elvis sings gospel it just makes me cry."

Her daughter, Mary Frances, agreed. "I loved Elvis since I was young, we watched originally on the Ed Sullivan Show together. They couldn't show his legs."

Many passing by, like Dean Zoha, a worker at nearby Open Table Restaurant, couldn't resist the sounds of the music. "I went to Graceland seven years ago, it was a real pilgrimage for me. The house is like a real museum. I even took a picture with his suit… well next to it," he said.

"While I was working, I saw the sign outside town hall for the show," he explained, "I asked the boss and the restaurant is not too busy, so my manager said no problem, go!"

And for families with young children like Jeff and Lisa Comuniello, the concerts provide an easy entertainment option.

"We are here on the lawn sitting on our blanket listening to some great music. We try to come out to the concerts a couple times a year. As we relax, the kids get some fresh air and exercise too," said Lisa.

The concert series continues on Wednesdays through the beginning of August at Eastchester Town Hall. For a full list of performances, see the PDF to the right.