August Concerts at Calf Pasture Beach Norwalk

Each Wednesday night throughout the summer, music lovers can head to scenic Calf Pasture Beach on Calf Pasture Beach Road in Norwalk (06851) to enjoy an evening of free musical entertainment. If you don’t have a parking sticker for this beach, not to worry, there is a  nominal $5.00 parking fee  charged for cars without a Norwalk beach sticker.

Cash Kings

To start off the month of August at 7 p.m. Cash is King is performing. Fans of the Man in Black will enjoy this recreation of performances by Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Three with June Carter Cash.

Deja Vu

The Classic Car Show is back on August 13 and begins at 6 p.m.  This gathering of than 100 vehicles is hosted by the Coachmen Rod and Custom Club, an organization of men and women who enjoy classic cars. Owners of 1981 and older cars can participate in the shows, which attract owners from throughout the tri-state area. Each car show participant is asked to contribute canned food or make a donation to the St. Vincent De Paul food bank.   At 7 p.m., Deja Vu will entertain the crowd.  For ten years, this popular group has been performing “golden oldies” at events from New Haven to New York.  The group includes Dominick Muro (lead vocals), Tony Masi (keyboards/lead vocals), Arthur Armstrong (lead vocals), George Gionios (saxophone/vocals), Rocco Castango (drums/vocals), John Skrensky (bass guitar/vocals) and Sal Salta (lead guitar/vocals).

Desert Highway

Curious Creatures kick off the August 20 event at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by a concert by Desert Highway.  This  is a passionate group of six talented professions who perform the rich vocal harmonies and intricate guitar styles made famous by The Eagles. The band includes Mike Green (lead vocals, guitars), Larry Lippman (lead vocals, drums), Carl Bova (bass, vocals), Rich Naso (guitars), Ed Betancourt (guitars, vocals) and Mitch Lieb (keyboards).

On August 27 at 7 p.m. Back to the Garden 1969 will entertain concert goers.  Spotlighting music from the Woodstock era, these seasoned musicians have toured, performed and recorded nationally. Each member of the band – Gary Adamson, Bob Fonseca, Mike Garner, Larry Kelly and Annie Masciando -- plays multiple instruments and also is a lead vocalist.  

For area information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Beatles festival "Danbury Fields Forever" at Ives Concert Park

The New York/New England regional Beatles festival, "Danbury Fields Forever," will "come together" Saturday, July 26 & Sunday, July 27, 2014 at Ives Concert Park in Danbury, Connecticut. Doors will open at noon, and the music will continue until 8pm daily.

The Music, Foods & Arts Festival is in its third year, with 10 bands per day playing the music of The Beatles, solo material and songs from the 60s. The full line-up of performers has been announced. Acts include The Hofners, The Oh-Nos, The Mystery Tour, AfterFab, Fools On The Hill, Charlie Guitar, Studio Two, Beatlehead, Thunder Road, The Way-Back Machine, Rotary and the national touring group Beatlemania Again. There will be live tributes to George Harrison by Pete Santora (formerly of Broadway's "Beatlemania"), Sir Paul McCartney by Mike Miller's "One Sweet Dream," John Lennon by Dave Pal in his "Lennon Legacy" show and to Elton John by Bill Connors. Students from School of Rock in both New York and Connecticut will have their star students performing sets of Beatles classics. Also, the winners of the web talent search project StarOnTheWeb.com will be performing.

o celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles' U.S. arrival in 1964, one-day "Ticket to Ride" admissions to the Festival start at only $19.64, but these special discounted early-bird advance prices are good for a limited time only. Advance ticket available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/danbury-fields-forever-iii-tickets-11495548495. There are also V.I.P. tickets available, discounted two-day passes and hotel packages. Tickets will be higher at the door.  For guests staying overnight, there is a reduced rate hotel package.

Ives Concert Park is located at 43 Lake Avenue Ext. on the campus of Western CT State University in Danbury, CT. This year there will be more Beatle and memorabilia dealers and vendors, exhibitors, along with a larger variety of food options available.

"Danbury Fields Forever lll" is presented by Charles F. Rosenay!!!'s Liverpool Productions, the same company that presented "NYC FAB 50," The Beatles' 50th Anniversary Celebration in New York City in February, and organizers of the annual Magical History Tours to Liverpool & London (www.LiverpoolTours.com). A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit a designated charity.

For further info, visit website: www.Fab4Musicfestival.com, or phone (203) 795-4737.

August Concerts on Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk

Summer nights in Norwalk mean music by the Sound, and there is no better place to enjoy a concert as the sunsets than at Calf Pasture Beach.  In addition to music, four concert evenings begin with a classic car show organized by The Coachmen for several hundred-car buffs from throughout the tri-state area.

On August 1, Calf Pasture Beach welcomes Dinoman at 6:30 p.m.  Fun for young and old alike, Dinoman ((a.k.a. Bob Lisaius) with the help of life-size inflatable dinosaurs, and his raccoon Reflex (a.k.a. Paul Lavarek) combine audience participation, magic and mayhem to explore how fossils are made and what the earth was like when dinosaurs roamed the area.  At 7:30 p.m. Diamond- One Hot Night takes the stage.  This ensemble features vocalist Tommy Lynn and a ten-piece band from New York. Sure to delight, this show replicates Neil Diamond’s career from start to today. Musicians in the band have played and collaborate with performers like Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Michael Jackson, Enrique and Julio Iglesias, Bruce Springsteen,Tommy James, and Gary U.S. Bonds.

Gunsmoke takes the stage on August 7 at 7 p.m.  This award-winning band has been entertaining Country & Western music fans in the Northeast for more than 20 years.  The band now is receiving national attention after its performance on “Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree,” America’s second longest-running radio show, which is broadcast from Nashville, TN, following “The Grand Ole Opry.”  Members of the band are Jeff DeMaio (steel guitar), Nick DeMaio Sr. (acoustic guitar), Nick DeMaio III (bass guitar), Gary Tokarz (drums) and Scott Tyler (electric guitar).  Please note there is no rain date for this show.

A Classic Car Show beginning at 6:00 p.m. on August 14 is followed by the music of The Barons.  The audience will be transported back to the 60s and 70s with one of the tri-state’s hottest “oldies” groups. The Barons are known for their 1963 hits, “Pledge of a Fool”, “Remember Rita” on Epic Records, and “Possibility” on Old Town Records under the name of The Crowns. The Barons have shared the stage with such groups as Brenda Lee, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, The Tokens, The Drifters, The Shangri-las, Lloyd Price, The Del Vikings, The Teenagers and The Chantels. The vocalists, led by Ronnie deAngelis, are Doug “Ice” Dorsey, Doug Muller and Francine Rodriguez backed by Tommy Ardise (guitar/arranger), Dom “Cuz” Cardamone (keyboard/bass guitar/drums/saxophone), Barry Nardi (bass note/lead guitar), Michael “Stix” Bossone (drums) and Ron Yovino (bass guitar).

On August 21 at 7:30 p.m. concertgoers will enjoy the music of Beginnings.  This tribute band brings to life the music of Chicago, recreating songs from every decade of that group’s hits. The veteran New York musicians featured in the band are Jason Chapman (trumpet), Adam Colombo (drums/vocals), Rob Cutts (tenor sax), Joe DeMaio (guitar/vocals), Ed Leon (trombone/vocals), Marty Safran (keyboards/vocals), Adam Seely (alto sax) and Mason Swearingen (bass/vocals). Please note, there is no rain date for this show.

The last concert in August, on August 28 beginning at 7:30 p.m. is a performance by Minute by Minute. This Doobie Brothers tribune band features Nick Ambrosino (keyboard/vocals), Tom Huber and Larry Lippman (drums/percussion/vocals), Diane Marketta (harmonica/percussion/vocals), Paul O’Dell (bass), Rob Sammarco (guitars/vocals) and arranger Adam Seely (saxophones/keyboards/vocals).

To complete the 2013 summer concert season at Calf Pasture Beach there will be a Classic Car Show on September 4 beginning at 6 p.m.  At 7 p.m. Sixology will perform classic rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s, this band features Steve Boccuzzi (guitar), Vinnie Deflorio (drums), Marc Fabrizio (guitar), Geof Skully (keyboards), Bobby Tirado (vocals) and Joe Valenzano (guitar).

The Facts

Each Wednesday night throughout the summer, area residents look forward to packing a picnic and a blanket and heading to the beach to enjoy a relaxing evening of music beside Long Island Sound. A $5.00 parking fee is charged for cars without a Norwalk beach sticker. For updates and additional information call the Norwalk Recreation and Parks Office at 203-854-7807. All concerts have a rain date of the following day.  For cancellation information call 203-854-7938.  A $20.00 parking fee is charged for cars without a Norwalk beach sticker.

Summer Concerts at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk

Summer nights in Norwalk mean music by the Sound, and there is no better place to enjoy a concert as the sunsets than at Calf Pasture Beach.  In addition to music, four concert evenings begin with a classic car show organized by The Coachmen for several hundred-car buffs from throughout the tri-state area.

Bill Genuario

On July 3, Norwalk will celebrate its annual Independance Day Celebration (rain date July 5).  Dance to the Music with DJ Nuxxo opens Shady Beach entertainment at 6 p.m. and family fun at Calf Pasture Beach starts at 5:30 p.m. with The Amazing Andy Show.  Bill Genuario, one of the most popular vocalists in the tri-state area, headlines at 8:00 p.m. at Shady Beach. He will be joined by his band, Destiny, which includes Tommy Hartlett (keyboard and vocals), Linda Fakundiny (guitar/vocals), Johnny Mennonna (bass guitar) and Ron Nihoff (drums). Parking will be available at Calf Pasture Beach only. 

On July 10 at 6:30 p.m. concertgoers will enjoy Curious Creatures, a hands on exhibit of exotic animals followed by Scarborough Fair.  With voices that blend effortlessly into that Simon & Garfunkel signature sound, brothers Jeb and Jock Guthrie pay tribute to the famous musical duo.

A Classic Car Show beginning at 6:00 p.m. on July 17 is followed by the music of The Royal Kings.  This musical ensemble features vocalists Joey Bennett, Douglas Dorsey, Timmy Hayes, Tommy Talercio and Richard “Cookie” Thomas. These performers have opened for headlining acts from the 50s, 60s and 70s that include Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Little Anthony, AWB and the Flamingos.  They continue to perform on the Oldies Rock and Roll circuit, as well as concerts and special events, and have two CDs, “Dreamin’ Through the Years” and “Dreamin’ at Christmas.”

Fleetwood Macked

The final July concert on July 24 headlines Fleetwood Macked at 7 p.m.  This tribute band recreates the musical experience of Fleetwood Mac’s most popular line-up -- Mick Fleetwood (Frank Saitta), John and Christine McVie (Bobby Trombley and Sue Rowe), Stevie Nicks (Hillary Epstein) and Lindsey Buckingham (Mike Epstein). 

The Facts

Each Wednesday night throughout the summer, area residents look forward to packing a picnic and a blanket and heading to the beach to enjoy a relaxing evening of music beside Long Island Sound. A $5.00 parking fee is charged for cars without a Norwalk beach sticker. For updates and additional information call the Norwalk Recreation and Parks Office at 203-854-7807. All concerts have a rain date of the following day.  For cancellation information call 203-854-7938.  A $20.00 parking fee is charged for cars without a Norwalk beach sticker.

Ride Your Harley, Stay For Charlie Palace Hosts First Ever Motorcycle Ride Fundraiser Oct. 15

Rev up your hog and join the Palace Theater for its first ever motorcycle ride on Saturday, October 15, at 1:00pm. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the theater's Ticket and Travel Subsidy Fund, a program that provides children with access to experience live, educational theater programs at the Palace.

Registration for the ride is from 1:00pm – 2:00pm at the theater, which is located at 100 East Main Street in Waterbury. At 2:00pm, riders will begin a scenic drive that will take them North through the Litchfield Hills, loop through Woodbury and Middlebury, and conclude at the theater where a street festival will be getting under way.

The festival will take place from 4:00pm - 7:30pm, and will feature local vendors, food, drawings and musical entertainment by Crosseyed Cat, Eran Troy Danner and Jimmy Jack. Both sides of East Main Street will be closed for the event, which is open to the public and supported by Main Street Waterbury, Spirit of Waterbury, and the Arts & Culture Collaboration Waterbury Region. Both the motorcycle ride and street festival will take place rain or shine.

For those who wish for the fun to continue, the Palace will end the day with a performance by "Easy Rider" himself, Charlie Daniels, who will perform with his band on the theater's stage at 8:00pm. Tickets for the concert, which is sponsored by Naugatuck Savings Bank, Darter Specialties, and WTNH/MyTV9, are on sale now and can be purchase by phone at 203-346-2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org, or in person at the box office.

Registration for the motorcycle run is $25 per rider and $15 per passengers. A special package for riders who want to attend the Charlie Daniels Band performance is also available for $55. To pre-register, or for more information, call the box office at 203-346-2000.

Danbury CT's Ives Concert Park Gets Ready to Rock, Roll … and Reminisce All Summer Long!

Award-winning artists with decades of influential music-making will perform this summer in the Union Savings Bank Summer Concert Series at Ives Concert Park in Danbury.

Multi-platinum recording artists Michael Franti & Spearhead and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals will perform at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 27, at the outdoor venue on the Westside campus of Western Connecticut State University, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Tickets, which range from $26 to $37, plus service charges, are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events. 

According to his website, “The Sound Of Sunshine” — the inspired and inspiring new album by Michael Franti & Spearhead — is a kind of musical sun shower, a bright, beautiful and often buoyant song cycle created to bring all kinds of listeners a sense of hope during rough and rainy times for so many in our world. Potter’s bio proclaims: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are like a modern-day version of Tina Turner stroking the microphone in a spangled mini-dress while fronting the Rolling Stones circa Sticky Fingers. The proof is there for all to hear on the band’s third album for Hollywood Records, hitting this spring, and marks an artistic breakthrough for a vital young band caught in the act of fulfilling its immense promise.

At 8 p.m. on Friday, July 1, Grammy Award winner Peter Frampton will take the Ives Concert Park stage to perform “Frampton Comes Alive!” in its entirety for his 35^th Anniversary Tour. Gates will open at 7 p.m. Tickets, which range from $27 to $77, plus service charges, are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events. The three-hour show will feature a complete performance of “Frampton Comes Alive!” along with highlights from Frampton’s catalog, including his Grammy Award-winning 2006 instrumental album, “Fingerprints.”

Popular Ives artists Earth,Wind & Fire will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, which range from $32 to $97, plus service charges, are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events.  The Earth, Wind & Fire 40th Anniversary Tour will launch April 30 and continue to July 3, taking the legendary group to more than 30 cities. A celebrated legacy of four decades has produced 20 Grammy nominations with eight wins, an induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and bountiful musical and cultural achievements. 

Legendary duo Steely Dan will perform at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 25. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events and range from $37 to $152, plus service charges. Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Steely Dan dazzled both the public and the critics in 2009 with their classic-albums-in-full Rent Party Tour. Responding to overwhelming popular demand, Steely Dan masterminds Walter Becker and Donald Fagen bring on more action with the Shuffle Diplomacy Twenty Eleven summer tour.  The tour, which kicks off in Seattle on July 2 and concludes in Boston on Sept. 30, will showcase greatest hits and deep cuts alike.

Alison Kraus and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas will take the stage at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Tickets, which range from $30 to $75, plus service charges, are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events. According to Krauss’ publicity, her most recent triumph, the certified-platinum “Raising Sand,” a 2007 collaboration with Robert Plant and producer T Bone Burnett, notched a total of six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year, bringing her unsurpassed total to 26. That mesmerizing modern-day masterpiece sets the stage for another stunner: “Paper Airplane,” the artist’s first album of all-new recordings in partnership with her remarkably skillful and renowned band Union Station since 2004’s “Lonely Runs Both Ways.”

Alternative rockers from Boston, Mass., Guster, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, which range from $25 to $35, plus service charges, are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events. Formed in 1991 at Tufts University, Guster is known for its live performances and humor. Opening will be Ra Ra Riot, an American indie rock band from Syracuse, N.Y.

The J. Geils Band and special guests The Chris Robinson Brotherhood will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Tickets, which range from $37 to $77, plus service charges, are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events. The J. Geils Band is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Worcester, Mass., best known for its 1981 single, “Centerfold,” which charted No. 1 in the U.S. in early 1982. The band played R&B-influenced blues-rock in the 1970s before moving towards a more pop-influenced sound in the 1980s. Since its initial break-up in 1985, the band has reunited several times. Special guest Robinson tells fans on his website, “We'll be playing a bunch of new songs I have been working on and will be digging deep into what is happening at that musical moment. There will be old stuff that I’ve done and a handful of covers that just feel right.”

It wouldn’t be summer without a live performance by The Beach Boys. They will perform at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Tickets, which range from $27 to $57, plus service charges, are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events. You can summarize most pop music acts by reciting how many hits they’ve had and how many millions of albums they’ve sold. But, according to the band’s website, these conventional measurements fall short when you’re assessing the impact of The Beach Boys. To be sure, this band has birthed a torrent of hit singles and sold albums by the tens of millions. But its greater significance lies in the fact that it changed the musical landscape so profoundly ... that every pop act since has been in its debt.

Closing out this summer’s Celebrity Concert Series are Texas rockers ZZ Top, who will perform at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Tickets, which range from $37 to $67, plus service charges, are on sale at http://www.premierboxoffice.com/events. The band lays undisputed claim to being the longest running major rock band with original personnel intact and in 2004 the Texas trio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

For more information, visit the Ives Concert Park website at http://www.ivesconcertpark.com,

the Ives Concert Park Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ivesconcertpark or follow the venue on Twitter at http://twitter.com/IvesConcertPark.