Concert in the Park Potpourri

I entitled this column “Concert in the Park Potpourri” because there is just so much on my mind as we make our way to the big Fountain Park Finale and look ahead to what’s coming.  Firstly, I need to talk about the concert this Friday night in Fountain Park.  Gary Jenkins and Thundering Hearts are coming this Friday. They are return performers from 2008.  I asked them back for a couple reasons.  One is that I missed them when they came four years ago and I heard from more people than ever about how great their music was and how entertaining they were.  So, when I received an email from Gary last winter, I thought it would be ideal to bring back one of the all-time favorites for our 10th anniversary season.

From just the name, and if you were not fortunate enough to see them in 2008, you might not know what to expect from Gary Jenkins and Thundering Hearts.  They are a high-energy show/dance band specializing in Contemporary Rock, R&B and Country Music.  They developed their style while performing at Nashville’s “Opryland USA” theme park.  They are masters at combining music and comedy along with audience participation.  Kids especially love them!  Still based out of Nashville, they have performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry and are a favorite of large corporations throughout the USA.

So, let’s pray for good weather on Friday night and I am sure you will once again be asking for Gary Jenkins and Thundering Hearts to return to Fountain Park.  Youth For Christ is serving the food menu and would appreciate your support in their ministry to area youth.

Remember that the following week is off.  It’s vacation time for me and you can head to the lake.  We then finish the summer with a huge event on Friday, August 12 when Gary Puckett & the Union Gap come to town for a big concert.  I have already talked with Gary and he said he is looking forward to coming to Van Wert and looks forward to performing for a big audience.

Immediately following the concert, thanks in part to Statewide Ford, Lee Kinstle, and Taylor Auto, you won’t want to miss the “cherry” on the evening when we inflate a huge outdoor movie screen and show The Wizard of Oz for the entire family to enjoy.  I understand it is quite an experience to see this epic movie on the screen outdoors and through our fabulous sound system.  So, plan on coming to the concert, take a small break and then settle in under the stars with some popcorn, a cool drink and enjoy one last blast of summer, thanks to these fine car dealerships in Van Wert.

The last part of my potpourri of ideas floating through my head today is the 9/11 Tribute we are currently working on. A production team from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic is currently in town and interviewing several locals with 9/11 ties and remembrances. The interviews will be part of the tribute concert with the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic.

This 7 p.m. concert at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on September 11 will be a community event that I hope people from everywhere can attend.  It is shaping up to be quite a program!

Tickets are currently available at the NPAC box office and online at www.npacvw.org. By the way, the box office is still open (T-F noon-4 p.m.) and can be accessed even though construction crews are working around the entrance.  Come on out and visit the box office.  I don’t want them to get lonely!

FINÉ.