They've got the fireworks. And a performance by Springsteen sound-alike Bruce In The USA. And the Enfield Fourth of July Celebration will even lure the highly patriotic Jimmie Vaughan to the Enfield, Conn. town green on Route 5 this weekend.
In fact, as the event's Scott Crosson explains, about the only part of the annual shindig that doesn't have to do with the birth of the nation is the dates it will occur—July 11-13, a full week after the Fourth of July proper.
"You know, we have these meetings in August to determine the dates for the next year's event," he says. "And as we started getting further from the Fourth, we noticed things were a lot easier in that we were no longer competing with other events and backyard barbecues. So this year we decided to really push it out there."
Crosson, who books the event's shows with entertainment chair Mike Pestana, adds that the further from the Fourth philosophy has already paid dividends, helping him land personal hero Jimmie Vaughan, for starters.
"Each year, I look at what it will take to get Jimmie here, and he's actually always interested—he's big into honoring our nation which, as our name implies, is the main we reason we hold the event," he says. "The problem is, everyone else seems to have the same idea, so you usually see Jimmie jamming with Clapton or at some all-star charity event the weekend of the Fourth. But because of the new schedule, we got him!"
Others on Crosson's "got" list for '08 include Billy Joel tribute act Big Shot, regional rock faves The Savage Brothers and a Motown tribute, courtesy of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. For the full schedule and more, visit www.enfieldcelebration.org.
In other news, while he may not be specifically linked to Independence Day, legendary singer/songwriter and composer Brian Wilson has certainly established himself as one of the industry's most beloved "boys of summer." The mastermind behind the Beach Boys and their well-crafted Cali-pop will wash up on the Calvin Theatre stage on Tuesday, July 15, to perform a collection of his greatest hits and classic compositions. For tickets and more info, kindly point your browser to www.iheg.com.
Meanwhile, the Springfield Cultural Council is giving area residents at least five reasons to park themselves at the city's Blunt Park this summer. The first installment of the free Tuesday night series Sounds of Summer: Concerts In The Park (springfieldparks.com) kicked off July 8 with notable Motown mimics Souled Out.
As of press time, the July 22 headliners were still to be determined. But Carribean faves Jose Gonzales and Criollo Classico are confirmed for Tuesday, July 15, and horn-heavy hit-replicators Brass Attack (July 29) and memory lane musicians Corey and The Knightsmen with special guests The Coasters (Aug. 5) have signed on to round out the season. All shows begin at 7 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. In the event of rain, shows will be moved indoors to Central High School, adjacent to Blunt Park.
Last up, some major goings-ons for the metal set at Chicopee's Maximum Capacity this weekend. On Thursday, July 10, the $10,000 Battle of The Bands series continues with Gravel, The Probates, Nosho, Limited Sight, Talos, Into The Wild and Independent Idiot entering the sonic struggle. Saturday, July 12, veteran decibel-deliverers Splitshift say sayonara with an official farewell show that promises to feature "all original members" and tunes from throughout the band's three-CD catalogue.
Over at Grandstands in Northampton that same night, July 12, Shadows Fall-guy Matt Bachand performs a solo acoustic set before headliners Badmagick.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
