Band Shell To Enhance

Summer Concert Series

By Kendra Bobowick

Musicians will no longer have to worry about rain or searing rays of summer sun while they perform at Dickinson Park. A band shell should be in place in time for the first show in this year’s Summer Concert Series, said Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold.

“We wanted to improve the [concert] experience and it’s in line with improving Dickinson Park,” she said. “It will provide shelter from the environment when bands perform.” A $15,000 item in the approved 2011-2012 budget under concert series enhancements will cover the band shell costs. Parks and Rec staff will complete the work, she said.

The Manny Pavone Group’s Manny Pavone was excited to hear about the band shell. “That’s great,” he said. How will it help the performers? “For one thing, it’s someplace to hang stage lighting.” The proposed structure will also help “dress things up a lot,” he said. Overall, the whole point is to have a good time, “That’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Ms Mangold started the summer concert series four years ago, when she took over the director’s position. The series, which is free to the public, “has been a success,” she said. “People love coming and having a picnic and music on beautiful summer evenings.”

Construction will take place before first band plays on June 28, Ms Mangold hopes. The structure has already been purchased. All concerts are on Thursday from 6:30 to 8 pm.

The band shell will sit beyond the skate park on the right at the lower entrance off Deep Brook Road. A small electrical house already exists there, which the bands use. Visitors gather on the lawn between the playground and the skate park. A concrete base is already in place, repurposed from an old lifeguard stand used when a swimming area had been at Dickinson.

The recreation department is still looking for title sponsors for this year’s concert series, but the band schedule is full. Last year’s title sponsor was Newtown Savings Bank.