Free concerts sound good this summer!

July 13, 2018 Tom Clancey
Sing us a song tonight: The 52nd Street Band—a Billy Joel tribute—performs in Tenafly’s Huyler Park on July 10. The free Tuesday and Thursday night concerts are great for music lovers and local businesses, organizers say, and are just some of the many concert options available around the region this summer.

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Join friends and neighbors at a wealth of summer concerts. Hosted in Englewood, Hillsdale, Montvale, Park Ridge, Tenafly, the Township of Washington, Westwood, and Old Tappan, there’s something for everyone—and it’s all free!

TUESDAY NIGHTS

Tenafly Summer Concert Series runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at Huyler and Davis-Johnson parks through Aug. 30. Come with your blanket or chair and enjoy wonderful entertainment.

Huyler Park, intersection of Hillside and Piermont, Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

  • July 17: Jeannie & The Drivin’ Wheels: The Jersey Shore’s Rockin’ Country Band;
  • July 24: Sessions: Tenafly Rock ‘n’ Roll;
  • July 31: Sa Ron Crenshaw Band: Solid Gold Soul;
  • Aug. 7: Guthrie Brothers: Simon & Garfunkel tribute;
  • Aug. 14: James Dean Orchestra: Sinatra Salute
  • Aug. 21: Beatlemania Again: Beatles tribute band;
  • Aug. 28: Yasgur’s Farm: Woodstock era classic rock.
In Veterans’ Memorial Park in Westwood, residents check out Soul Groove on July 12. Concerts continue there on Thursdays in July.
(Photo by Murray Bass)

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Hillsdale’s Summer Concerts in Veterans Memorial Park kick it Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

  • July 18: 7 Hill Drive;
  • July 26: Tim Gysin Band (note: this is Thursday, a date change due to inclement weather);
  • Aug. 2: Dr. Dubious and The Agnostics (note: this is Thursday, a date change due to inclement weather);
  • Aug. 3 (Friday): Poor Man’s Orchestra;
  • Aug. 8, Family Fun Night: Lisa La La Musical Entertainment for Kids and Super Fun Activities at 6 p.m.; North Jersey Concert Band at 7:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 15: Larry Stevens Band;
  • Aug. 22: Alan Quinn Band.

Old Tappan’s Summer Concert Series runs Wednesdays in July and August at 7 p.m. at Oakes Park, Central Avenue, opposite 184 Central.

  • July 18: Outside the Lines;
  • July 25: Beauty and the Grease;
  • Aug. 1: Nash East;
  • Aug. 8: New York Hitmen.

The Demarest Recreation Committee has organized a great annual summer concert series, sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty. Concerts run 7:30 to 9 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy. An ice cream truck is scheduled for each of the concerts. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved indoors to the air-conditioned gym at Luther Lee Emerson School on Columbus Road, where chairs will be provided, but food will be prohibited. Concert venue change decisions will be made at 2 p.m. the day of the concert.

  • July 18: Ray Greiche Band. Enjoy the return of Demarest resident Ray Greiche and his band;
  • July 25: London Calling. A Beatles tribute band. It’s not from “across the pond,” it’s at the Duck Pond;
  • Aug. 1: Outside the Lines. Come check out a diverse selection of music from country to great rock jams;
  • Aug. 8: Kover Up Band. Sit and relax as you listen to classic rock ‘n’ roll tunes;
  • Aug. 15: The Kootz. This popular band returns for the season finale. Sing, clap, and dance along.

THURSDAY NIGHTS

Englewood Public Library’s Jazz Under the Stars. Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. through Aug. 9 on the library’s front lawn and plaza, 31 Engle St. Acts are booked by Englewood resident and internationally known bassist Calvin Hill. This series attracts some of the finest jazz performers in the area.

  • July 19: Mark Gross Quartet;
  • July 26: Bill Saxton;
  • Aug. 2: Sharp Radway Band (POSTPONED due to inclement weather);
  • Aug. 9: TBA.

The Park Ridge Recreation Department presents its free 2018 Summer Concert Series on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., rain or shine, in August. Note the new location, with playground: Davies Field Pavilion behind Borough Hall.

  • Aug. 2: No Discipline Reggae Band;
  • Aug. 9: Larry Stevens Duo;
  • Aug. 16: Alice Leon Duo;
  • Aug. 23: Joey G. Oldies Show;
  • Aug. 30: Something of the Found Band.

Tenafly: Davis-Johnson Park, 137 Engle St., Corner of Engle and Westervelt, Thursdays at 7 p.m. Rain venue: The Clinton Inn Ballroom.

  • July 19: The Chamlin’s: American standard songbook;
  • July 26: David Fung, pianist;
  • Aug. 2: Jonathan Tetelman, tenor;
  • Aug. 9: Gay Willis: Copeland, Berlin, Fred Rogers, and more;
  • Aug. 16: Piano Trio Alacorde: Piano, violin, cello;
  • Aug. 23: Youth concert: Very talented teens;
  • Aug. 30: Michael Fennelly on four baby grand pianos (location to be determined).

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FRIDAY NIGHTS

The Closter Recreation Department is proud to announce its free 2018 Summer Concert Series schedule.“We encourage adults and kids to come with their blankets, chairs, picnic dinners and beverages to enjoy a night under the stars listening to some great music,” concert organizers said. The concerts are 7:30–9:30 p.m. at the Closter Lions Band Shell, Memorial Field, Harrington Avenue, Closter. In the event of inclement weather, contact the recreation hot line, (201) 750-9507 mailbox 6 for updates.

  • Friday, July 13: The Willies;
  • Thursday, July 19: New Beginnings Band;
  • Friday, July 27: Joe Delia and the Thieves;
  • Friday, Aug. 3: My Anxiety (NOTE: moved to Hillsdale United Methodist Fellowship Hall).

The Borough of Northvale presents concerts at the Hogan Park Gazebo, 7–8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more information, call Borough Hall.

  • July 20: One More Once (big band);
  • Aug. 24: TAJZ (jazz quartet).

Township of Washington: Supercharged after the success of 2017’s inaugural summer concert series, the Volunteer Fire Department is proud to announce this year’s lineup. Get your provisions at Town Center, join family and friends at Memorial Field with your chairs or blankets, and have fun singing and dancing to outstanding bands. Gates open at 6 p.m. and shows start at 7.

  • July 13: Bon Journey (Journey, Bon Jovi, and the 1980s);
  • July 20: B Street Band (Springsteen);
  • July 27 CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER: Jersey Sound
  • Oct. 5: Radio Nashville (country).

In Westwood, The Westwood Community Band has two performances left this summer: Fridays at 8 p.m. at the Bandstand at Veterans Memorial Park. Rain venue: Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave. Want to join the band? Adult clarinet, saxophone, French horn, trombone, and tuba players are welcome. A great opportunity for musicians to continue playing after high school or college—and for those who just want to dust off instruments after a break. For more information, visit westwoodcommunityband.org or write wwcommunityband@optonline.net.

  • July 20: Twenty-piece Brass Band. Enjoy the unique sound of the Community Band’s trumpet, flugelhorn, french horn, baritone, trombone, euphonium, and tuba players;
  • July 27: Thirty-piece Concert Band, playing light classics, show tunes, Big Band music, marches, and patriotic selections.
The band South Street Station performs in Old Tappan. The borough’s weekly concert series on Wednesday nights continues through Aug. 8, one of several options for music lovers to enjoy free concerts this summer.

SUNDAYS

Park Ridge: “Music at the Barn”: Wortendyke Barn Museum, 4–6 p.m., 13 Pascack Road.

  • July 29: Vin Mott’s Rhythm & Blues Band;
  • Aug. 26: The Charlie Jones Group (blues/jazz/rock);
  • Sept. 23: The Pittman/Daniels Quartet (rhythm and blues/jazz);
  • Oct. 28: Bluegrass & Cider.

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