After last year's record concert season, village draws new acts like a Polish polka band
SACKETS HARBOR — The Concerts on the Waterfront Series in this village broke attendance records last year and organizers are looking forward to building on that success as its 26th year begins this month.
"We had three concerts last year where more than 1,000 people attended," said Katherine C. "Kate" Griffin, co-chairwoman of the concert series and vice president of the Sackets Harbor Historical Society, which sponsors the series.
Organizers say total attendance was around 9,300.
Mrs. Griffin said the concertgoers seem to understand "what a gift" the series is to the village, considering their pass-the-hat donations, which largely funds the series.
It's not just audiences who are reacting favorably.
"We hear from groups all the time who want to play here," Mrs. Griffin said. "They have a rapt audience here and the setting is gorgeous."
The series continues its diverse lineup this year and one of its new acts is a Polish polka group.
"Already, we've heard from other Polish polka groups that want to play here," said Mrs. Griffin.
THE SCHEDULE
June 27: Frank Sacci Orchestra. Mr. Sacci and his orchestra have been the kick-off band for the series for the past five years. The band plays mainly swing music of the World War II era. Dan Mosier will step out of the trombone section to sing a couple of Frank Sinatra favorites. There also will be patriotic standards and guest vocalist Laura Atkinson of Harrisville will sing the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and others.
July 4: Adirondack storyteller and musician Bill Smith will be joined by master fiddler Donald F. Woodcock. Mr. Smith has spent his life in the Adirondacks as a hunter, trapper, logger, fisherman, basket maker and guide, gaining experiences all reflected in his tales. Mr. Woodcock holds the title of Grand Champion Fiddler of New York state, having won the state championship contest three times.
July 11: The seven-pieceSoft Spoken Bandfrom Syracuse is a newcomer to the Concerts on the Waterfront schedule. The seven-piece rhythm and blues group was founded by Reginald Seigler. He majored in voice at Alabama State University and plays weekly for the SUNY Cortland Gospel Choir.
Two recent additions to the band are from Ghana, West Africa, and have played throughout Europe: Kofi KariKari is on saxophone and Oboubi Ashlong plays guitar. The band plays a mixture of rhythm and blues and offers up its own versions of "Car Wash" and "Some Kind of Wonderful."
July 18: Atlas will return to rock the battlefield for a 10th time during Can Am Weekend with its big and brassy party music that ranges from Earth, Wind and Fire and Tower of Power to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to Motown. Organizers say the nine-piece band is one of the most favored by concertgoers.
July 25: The Busker shave been exploring the roots of pop music since its three members met at an open microphone evening in New Hampshire in 1993. One of the trio, Kathy Sommer, on fiddle and mandolin, moved to Redwood in 2004. The band's repertoire is a mix of jazz, folk, rock and improvisation.
Aug. 1: The 10th Mountain Division Band is tentatively scheduled, depending on deployments. An alternative band will perform if the soldier-musicians are unable to perform. The concert will top off the eighth annual Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site's War of 1812 Weekend held all day July 31 and until 1 p.m. Aug. 1.
Aug. 8: The Bill Tiberio Group will make its Concerts on the Waterfront debut. The group has become a mainstay on Rochester's contemporary and traditional jazz scenes in the last several years. Its debut CD, "The Story Ends, the Story Begins," has garnered favorable reviews and airplay in the Rochester area. Mr. Tiberio is the resident conductor of the University of Rochester Wind Symphony and the River Campus Jazz Ensemble.
Aug. 15: The Double Barrel Blues Band has opened for the Marshall Tucker Band and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. The band was a 2009 Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMY) nominee for best blues recording and is a regular at blues festivals throughout New York.
Aug. 22: Fritz's Polka Band, Verona, has been performing for more than 31 years. In 1999, the band performed at the Woodstock anniversary concert and in 2007 became the first polka band to perform at the Metropolitan Club in New York City. The band has 17 recordings. Last year, it won a SAMMY for best recording.
Aug. 29: The Finger Lakes Wind Quartet formed two years ago and consists of classically trained musicians on flute, clarinet, French horn, oboe and bassoon.
Sept. 5: The Mario DeSantis Orchestra returns for a Labor Day weekend celebration. The Syracuse-based orchestra gave its first performance May 22, 1947, at Lincoln Auditorium in Syracuse and continues with its repertoire of jazz to contemporary music. More than 30 new arrangements have been added this year.
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Watertown Savings Bank is sponsoring this year's series. Additional funding was received from the state Council on the Arts' Decentralization Program, administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council; the village of Sackets Harbor; the town of Hounsfield Committee for the Advancement of Tourism and contributions from area businesses and organizations.
