Concerts Under The Stars Returning To Bellamy-Ferriday

BETHLEHEM — The Concerts Under the Stars concert series will be back at the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden in the center of Bethlehem this summer. The house and garden site will be hosting the free outdoor performances on Wednesdays, June 14, July 12 and August 9, each beginning at 7 pm.

The series is designed for people of all ages to enjoy music and theater performances in a wonderful setting. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, even picnics. There is no charge for the concerts. In the event of rain, the concerts will be held at Bethlehem Elementary School.

Kicking off the series on Wednesday, June 14, The Morgans, Connecticut’s premier Irish, folk and sea-songs band, will present a concert of participatory songs from a variety of historical periods, intermingled with spirited renditions of instrumental dance tunes.

In addition to their extensive repertoire of Irish and folk music, the group has an affinity for the sea and all things nautical. Their presentation of sea chanteys (work songs), done in powerful multi-part harmonies, punctuated by the primal sound of bodhrans (traditional Celtic frame drums), recalls the days of wooden ships and iron men.

Instrumentally, The Morgans play a variety of conventional and non-conventional instruments from the wind, string and percussion families. They have produced six albums and have performed with The Irish Rovers and The Clancy Brothers and Robbie O’Connell.

The second concert, on July 12 will be Flashpoint, a jazz quintet performing original and contemporary jazz. The final performance, on August 9, will be Quincy Meets Shakespeare, a dramatic and humorous introduction to The Bard using puppets and masks, perfect for all ages.

The Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden is at 9 Main Street South (Route 132 at Route 61) in Bethlehem. For more information concerning the series or to receive a free brochure of programs, call 266-7596.