'Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series': Let's start the music and dance!

Article and Photos by Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

The Grand Island Recreation Department kicked off its “Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series” without a hitch as the rain held off until the very end, and a cooler breeze made for the perfect summer night of music, dance and neighborly conversation.

The series, held at Marion Klingel Town Common, 2255 Baseline Road, runs weekly through Aug. 15, with most concerts starting at 7 p.m., until the last two in August, when the music begins at 6:30 p.m.

People remembered to bring their lawn chairs from home. A bench and picnic table were there for those who forgot.

The featured group was Rock Angel, billed as a high-energy performance band, with Maureen Gambino, lead vocals; Joe Gottta, lead guitar and vocals; Jeff Garlick, lead guitar, keyboard and vocals; and Ralph Lariviere, percussion and drums.

Before the band took the stage, the Grand Island Recreation Dancers were a crowd-pleaser Tuesday night, under the direction of Shirley Bittlingmaier of Lunadance. The grownups went first with an energetic Zumba-oriented performance, followed by a trio of talented girls in pink and black dance costumes.

Grand Island Recreation Supervisor Joe Menter said Bittlingmaier started about a year ago as instructor for the youth dance program through the Recreation Department, then took on dance instruction for adult students.

“Both groups were in the (July 4) parade for the first time,” Menter said.

The concert series was supposed to start June 27, but rain canceled that night’s event.

Before and during the performances, Zonta Club of Grand Island sold snacks, soft drinks and water, as well as sponsoring a basket raffle and a 50/50. The service club’s mission is to empower women through service and advocacy.

Zonta members raise funds to award scholarships to women and support community service projects locally and globally. Their website is https://zontagrandisland.org/.

The Zonta Club “Snack Stand” will be back for the Aug. 8 concert, when the Formula, an authentic Italiano band with “a twist of Latino,” takes the stage at 6:30 p.m.

Grand Island Recreation Dancers under the direction of Shirley Bittlingmaier perform at the “Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series” at the Marion Klingel Town Common.

From left, Natalie Menter, Melanie Russo and Katherine Emery are all decked out in their finery and carrying parasols at the “Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series” at the Marion Klingel Town Common.

Zonta Club of Grand Island members sell snacks at the Zonta Club “Snack Stand” at the kickoff to the town’s “Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series, which runs through Aug. 15. From left, they are: Donna Monaco, President Ricki Harper, Heidi Anne Travagline, Wendi Delaney Wilson and her daughter.

Zonta Club of Grand Island member Wendi Delaney Wilson sells snacks at the Zonta Club “Snack Stand” at the kickoff to the town’s “Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series,” which runs through Aug. 15.

Rock Angel kicked off the Town of Grand Island Recreation Department’s “Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series” at the Marion Klingel Town Common.