Photos by Jerrey Roberts, Andrew Whitaker; text by Jerry Roberts
Free outdoor concerts abound each summer throughout the Pioneer Valley. With minimal travel, an eager concertgoer could catch a show nearly every day, and on some days, two.
Last Thursday, about 50 people listened to the vocal stylings of Susan Farrell of Williamsburg, accompanied by Nick Kachulis of Northampton on keyboards, at the weekly Williamsburg Angel Park Music Series. Tom Adams of Williamsburg started the tradition almost a decade ago.
“I’m a musician myself and I wanted to spread the music,” Adams said. “It’s a great venue. I wanted to give local talent an opportunity to play out.”
Ten minutes down Route 9, in Florence, about 100 people arranged their blankets and chairs at the Civic Center for the weekly Florence Music on the Porch series. The Heritage Pops Orchestra shared its big-band sound in a 90-minute show.
Wesley DeSantis of Florence danced with his daughter, Fiona, 7.
“It’s a great community event where people feel comfortable letting their kids run. It’s old-time summer fun,” DeSantis said.
Chloe Cardoso, 6, danced with her sister, Liana, 4, of Florence. Their mother, Kate Cardoso, looked on, saying they attend as many of the Porch series shows as they can.
“It’s good to get outside and enjoy the weather and listen to some good music,” she said.
In Northampton last Friday, rain delayed the start of the city’s concert series on the courthouse lawn, but patient concert-goers were eventually treated to the sounds of Cocek! Brass Band and The Fawns.
As Ben Chase and a friend, Maranda Noyes, both of Granby, cooled off with some GoBerry frozen yogurt, children played with soap bubbles and took a dip in the fountain.
Katherine Mallory was enjoying the scene with her 2-year-old daughter, Amari.
“We came out for the music and horns,” Mallory said.