Over nine weeks this summer, residents can time-travel through nine decades of music at the Delaware County Summer Festival -- featuring Roaring Twenties jazz, 1950s doo-wop, ‘60s girl groups like the Shirelles, Billy Joel’s first hits from the ‘70s, right up through this decade’s party tunes.
Not only can music lovers visit other eras, they can also take musical journeys to New Orleans, Brazil, the Caribbean, Ireland, Germany, China and many regions of the U.S.A. No passport or security scan needed.
Starting Wednesday, June 20, the 38th annual Summer Festival will feature 47 live performances at the outdoor amphitheater in Rose Tree Park, Route 252, Upper Providence.
Find out what's happening in Mediafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From zydeco and American roots, to Big Band and Broadway, to rock and retro, the County park will be alive with the sound of music, outdoors under the stars.
The 2012 festival runs Wednesday through Sunday evenings, June 20 to Aug. 19 at Rose Tree Park. All performances start at 7:30 p.m., with the exception of two morning concerts for children June 27 and July 19.
Find out what's happening in Mediafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Summer Festival, sponsored by Delaware County Council and the County Department of Parks and Recreation, is family-friendly and free. Genres include Big Band, patriotic, Broadway, dance, folk, rock, jazz, blues, country, reggae, barbershop harmonies and everything in between.
Fans get the chance to see perennial favorites like the Greaseband, Blackthorn and Jimmy and the Parrots, and check out new performers such as the First Ladies of Rock and Soul, the Eternal Rhythm Band led by Media’s own Michael Carter, or the American roots group called Cabin Dogs.
The 2012 Summer Festival opens with a performance by the Rose Tree Pops, a 50-member orchestra that performs light classical music, film scores, show tunes and Big Band favorites. The festival closes Aug. 19 with Penn Chinese Dance Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Chinese culture and art through Chinese classical and folk dance.
“Delaware County Council is pleased to offer this free, musical concert series for our residents every summer,” said Councilman David J. White. “The 2012 Summer Festival is a fun outing for families, neighbors, friends, and people of all ages. All you need is a blanket or a lawn chair, then sit back and enjoy.”
Tribute bands will span the decades honoring popular artists including Jimmy Buffett, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, The Allman Brothers, Bob Seger and Heart.
Even classical dancers have a place at the Summer Festival when the Brandywine Ballet of West Chester performs on July 27.
And who could resist this billing for The Plants, a funky foursome that plays doo-wop for kids: “From a snake who wears flip-flops to intergalactic insects, their lighthearted lyrics are catchy and fun.”
Parks and Recreation Director Marc Manfre said the 2012 Summer Festival features perennial crowd-pleasers such as Robert Eric Band in a Billy Joel Tribute (June 23), Jimmy & The Parrots doing Jimmy Buffett hits, (Aug. 15), Blackthorn and their modern Celtic rock (Aug. 16), and The Fabulous Greaseband (June 21).
Newcomers include the First Ladies of Rock & Soul (July 26), turning the clock back to the ‘60s when girl groups ruled the charts. This 14-piece band will bring back the Shirelles (“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”), the Shangri-Las and the Marvelettes.
Take a ride down memory lane at a doo-wop extravaganza with The BelAirs & Fabulous Tailfin Band (Aug. 1) featuring local DJ and radio personality Steve Kurtz. Kick it Out will present a Heart tribute (July 19) and Separate Ways will do a Journey (“Don’t Stop Believin’”) tribute (July 14).
Lawyers by day and musicians by night, Festival newcomers Cabin Dogs (Aug. 18), featuring twin brothers Rich and Rob Kwait, perform original songs that mix the styles of bluegrass, outlaw country and Americana.
Hollywood Nights (June 29) is a Philadelphia-based Bob Seger tribute band named after Seger's 1978 hit. Live At The Fillmore (July 8) is a tribute to the Allman Brothers Band and their legendary performances at New York's Fillmore East, often called the “church of rock n' roll.”
Other performers include: the German Oompah Band (June 27), a Bavarian-style band playing traditional German tunes in real lederhosen; the 28th Keystone Division Band (July 1), a Pennsylvania Army National Guard band that will be touring through Delaware County the week of July 4; the Bryn Mawr Mainliners (July 18), who have performed their barbershop harmonies at the Summer Festival for nearly all 38 years; Peter Moses and his interactive concert for children (June 27); and Lansdowne’s own Minas will play their Brazilian jazz (July 7). Minas will celebrate their 25th anniversary at the festival with a special concert retrospective of their five CDs.
Light refreshments are available for purchase at the park during the Summer Festival. No alcohol or pets are permitted.
Delaware County Council presents the Festival with support from sponsors including PECO and The Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau.
* FOR INFORMATION: The Delaware County Summer Festival runs June 20 to Aug. 19 with concerts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays (unless otherwise noted) at the outdoor amphitheater at Rose Tree Park, 1671 N. Providence Road, Upper Providence, PA 19063. A full schedule of concerts is posted on the county’s web site at www.co.delaware.pa.us/summer. Schedules are also available at Delaware County libraries, at the Leedom House in Rose Tree Park and at each concert performance. For information contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at (610) 891-4455.
