5 Flavor Discount Gives Outdoor Audience a Sampling of Musical Tastes

It was a beautiful, sunny summer evening with a nice breeze floating by when 5 Flavor Discount took the stage Thursday evening at Rose Larisa Park. The free concert was sponsored by The East Providence Parks and Recreation Department.

Hundreds of people, young and old, flocked to the park to listen to the group’s versatile music, categorized as funk-pop-rock. Kids ran around chasing each other while the grown-ups sat in lawn chairs or sprawled on blankets grooving to the music. Some munched on goodies or sipped water or drinks they’d brought along.

Robin Soares, lead vocalist, took the microphone to open the concert, introducing herself and the band. After commenting on the perfect summer weather, she said, “We’ve had good luck with our summer concerts so far. We’re very glad to be here. We’ll be doing a wide variety of music.”

And true to her word, that’s exactly what the group delivered. After sound checking with Aerosmith’s "Walk This Way," the cover band opened with "For the Love of Money," then slid into the rhythm and blues classic "Route 66," followed by Sade’s "Sweetest Taboo." They switched gears a bit with Stevie Wonder’s "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours" and Michael Jackson’s "Rock With You." Other songs included "Magic Man" and "I’ll Take You There."

The group is the 2009 winner of Motif Magazine’s Cover Band of the Year. In addition to Soares, group members include Katie Kleyla, who also sings lead vocals, Jon Hathaway on guitar, Angela DeFazio on drums and Bobby Healey on bass.

Kleyla sang lead on a few of the selections, alternating with Soares. Guitarist Hathaway performed the classic Rolling Stones song, "Sympathy for the Devil."

Soares talked a little bit about East Providence in between songs.

“This is where I grew up,” she said. “Yes, I’m a Townie. But I don’t live here anymore. We really want to thank the City of East Providence for having us here today.”

Stay tuned for Ronnie and the Satellites coming next to Rose Larisa Park on Aug. 18.