It started as an opportunity for locals to sample savories from various area eateries and soak in the sounds of a few of the region's bigger bands. Since that summer of 1985, however, Committee President Scott Crosson says that his Enfield, Connecticut Fourth of July celebration (www.enfieldcelebration.org) has morphed into something that far transcends the boundaries of his fair city.
"Through the website alone, I'm getting emails from New York, Pennyslvania, New Jersey," he says. "There are people looking to plan their whole vacations around our event, which made all of us on the committee realize that not only is this a fantastic thing for our townspeople, but we're actually selling an entire 'New England experience' to folks in surrounding states."
Helping add to the allure is the ever-increasing number of national acts popping up on the Enfield Celebration roster. According to Crosson, who has headed the event's entertainment effort for more than a decade, seeing the likes of Eddie Money or Dickey Betts on his stage in recent years has been the culmination of a masterplan that has been kicking around in his head since day one.
For the 2007 installment—July 6-8 on the Enfield green—he says that he and fellow entertainment coordinator Michael Pestana have upped the audio ante yet again by inking national recording artists on both Friday and Saturday for the first time in the event's history.
Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter will help homegrown rockers Quintera and the Encore School for Strings kick things off opening night. On Saturday, Lou Gramm of Foreigner fame headlines a bill that also includes Billy Joel music mimics Big Shot and the Pete Shipes and Farmer Rick bands respectively.
Admission to Enfield Celebration is free, but since the venue itself is also free of actual seating for patrons, it is not only permissible but advisable to bring a blanket and/or lawn chair.
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Meanwhile, yet another outdoor audio offering kicks off in West Whately next week. It features some terrific talent at a nominal (usually $12 per show) price. But even though it takes place at a chapel, in this instance the one at the intersection of Conway and Williamsburg roads, the whole thing seems to have a decidedly seedy vibe to it.
"That joke never gets old," said Paul Newlin, founder of Watermelon Wednesdays—a series that also includes a free bat show during intermission.
Neo-classical faves Chiara String Quartet start things July 11. On July 18, it's the Winterpills. For more information visit watermelonwednesdays.com.
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Lastly, speaking of unique combinations, your friendly neighborhood Nightcrawler can't remember the last time any band's music generated such a list of adjectives and influences as Amherst's own Rusty Belle.
Beautiful classical guitar lines weave in and out of haunting, fragile harmonies and hypnotic, trance-inducing grooves. The carnivalesque madness of "Hellion's Song" evokes images of The Doors. Yet tunes like "No Sacrifice" are reminiscent of Jewel's "Save Your Soul." And ah, yes, "Sip, Sip." Perfect fireside fodder that would nestle nicely between nearly any two tracks from Zeppelin III.
To form your own impressions, bring a pad and pen to Bishop's Lounge July 7, where the Belle boys (and girl) perform this Saturday. Those still perplexed and/or intrigued by RB's sound can also pick up the band's first studio effort—the completion of which they will also be celebrating July 7, dubbing the show an official CD release party. "
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Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email: garycarra@aol.com.
