Rochester Park Concert Series Features Wide Variety of Music

The Rochester Recreation Committee has announced its annual Summer Park Concert Series organized by Joe Schenkman. All concerts are on Sunday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the park on Route 100 in Rochester village, unless otherwise noted, and admission is free.

The Shugarmakers kick off the series June 17. Based in East Randolph, the group is led by Connie Button on vocals, mandolin and percussion, Dr. David Indenbaum is on upright bass, Norm Labrecque, rhythm guitar and vocals, Jeff Staudinger on lead guitar and vocals, and Chuck Papirmeister on drums. The group plays everything from country to classic rock, and has played at the South Royalton Brown Bag series, the Randolph Gazebo series, the Tunbridge World’s Fair, and many of the area’s watering holes like Skunk Hollow (Hartland), The Terrace and the Crossroads (South Royalton).

Steel Rail Bluegrass will play June 24. Led by George Seymour on Gibson Mastertone banjo, the band also features the hot-licks mandolinist Josh Hamlin, Richard Barany on guitar, and Mike Ricciarelli on the big doghouse bass. Based in the Waitsfield area, they play traditional bluegrass.

The ever funky Sugar House from Brattleboro takes the stage July 1. The group is fronted by singers Cyndi Cain and Jaye Simms, backed up by Eric Simms on bass, Daniel Kasnitz on guitar, and Bob DeSena on drums.

July 8 will see the return of Gusano, led by Dartmouth jazz professor Don Glasgo, with Carlos Oscasio on lead vocals, guitar, and congo drums. This event is sponsored by the White River Valley Players.

On July 15, the Rochester Town Band will play under the steady baton of Larry Hamberlin. Between teaching about Bob Dylan and his times to Middlebury College students, Dr. Hamberlin finds time every summer to play his original song "Rochester Park" at the place that inspired it.

July 22 brings About Gladys to the gazebo stage. About Gladys plays contemporary rock, funk, blues and beyond, and is led by Rich Thomas on lead vocals, Wally Wysk on lead guitar, Bob Sparadeo on drums, and Jamie Hosley on drums.

On July 29, Danny McIntyre and Gail Osha bring their brand of country, classic rock, rockabilly, and good time music to their friends and fans.

Stone Cold Roosters play August 12. Led by singer-songwriter Colin McCraffrey on vocals and guitar, Ted Mortimer on lead guitar, Thal Aylward on fiddle, Jim Pitman on pedal steel, Casey Dennis on bass, and Roy Cutler on drums, the Roosters blend Western swing, country, honky-tonk and blues.

Steel Rail Bluegrass will make a second appearance on the park August 19.

"All concerts are free," Schenkman notes. "Bring dancing shoes, a picnic dinner, a sweetie, and let the kids run around the Civil War monument in the center of the prettiest town green in the state of Vermont, like they’ve done for over a hundred years of band concerts."

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