Sixties music comes to Fountain Park

Warning!  This week’s concert in Fountain Park on Friday night might produce Beatles.  It could also produce Byrds, Hollies, Rolling Stones, Doors, Vogues, Monkees, Raiders and even some Mamas & Papas.  Now, even to me this sounds a little scary if not just plain intriguing.  You have to admit, the names of bands back in the 1960’s were certainly interesting.

Aftermath: Experience the Sixties is a band that recreates that great music from the 1960s. They will be in concert in Fountain Park this Friday night starting at our regular time of 7 p.m.  Some of the quotes from past audience members are: “I couldn’t believe my ears; it was just like being there!” “They had me dancing all night long!” “I had to smile when I saw them all decked out in their costumes and playing the music that I remember so well!” and “I may be too young to remember the ‘60s, but I still have fun when Aftermath plays!”

I have said it many times, but the true test of good music is its longevity among listeners.  Although some song titles of the Sixties were strange, they are still played and people still want to hear them today.  Songs like “Wooly Booly”, “Light My Fire”, “Hard Day’s Night”, and “Daydream Believer” are simple, if not strange titles, but songs that have stuck with us throughout the past 50 years. Aftermath will bring these and many others back for an evening of reminiscing and enjoyment.

Bring your friends and enjoy another beautiful evening in Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert.  The price is right; the times are fun and the music memorable. Members of the First United Methodist Church Senior Choir will be cooking up some delicious food for you to enjoy, too!  Believe me, I know first-hand what good food comes from these people.

We are starting to wind down our summer, believe it or not!  After this week, we have just two more concerts in the park on Friday nights. July 27 brings some of the best Bluegrass to us when Rhonda Vincent and the Rage come up from Nashville in a return appearance. After a week off, we finish on August 10 with Brass Transit and the music of Chicago.

Some people have been asking, and I just got confirmation that we will once again be showing a movie outside in the park on the big inflatable screen following Brass Transit’s concert.  Last year, many enjoyed watching The Wizard of Oz on the big screen.  This year’s feature will be Toy Story 3 — in my opinion, the best of all the “Toy Story” movies.  What a great family flick!  It should be spectacular in the park with the big screen and magnificent sound system. We will also preview the upcoming NPAC season.

Many have taken the opportunity to purchase a Select Series for the upcoming season at the Niswonger PAC.  I encourage you to take a look at the upcoming season and take advantage of a savings by buying three or more concerts now and reserving your seats. There are 26 concerts, shows, and speaker events in the upcoming season. Check out the amazing array of talent and entertainment coming to the NPAC.

Go to our new website: www.npacvw.org.  You will find lots of interesting information, including video of upcoming shows, as well as interesting comments from Facebook and Twitter about the upcoming season.

Lastly, thank you for making our homecoming for Mel Deal and “Sonny Boy” Terry Jerome so meaningful. These two Van Wert native sons were so moved by everyone’s graciousness and appreciation of their music.  Even though they have lived in Nashville and Houston for many years, they still have very fond memories of Van Wert, and your fine reception and outpouring of love made them realize why they loved growing up in Van Wert. They both told me it was an experience that will live with them for a lifetime!

FINÉ.