As the lyrics go, “The morning sun is shining like a red rubber ball,” which means it’s summer and time for Wilton Library‘s Summer Music & More Concert Series on Thursday nights in July from 5-6:30 p.m.. This is the 17th year for the free popular music series that continues to be generously sponsored by the Village Market.
Village Market owners Tim Dolnier and Mike Pacheco both concur about the market’s role: “This has been such a wonderful series in Wilton for the past 17 years. We hear great feedback from our customers who come in and thank us for supporting the concerts and giving them this fun entertainment in the summer.”
This year’s opening band on July 6 is the Over Easy Band, a three-member group that brings back the sounds of the British Invasion and American surfing music with nostalgic harmonies from the ’60s. Steve Cinque, Mark Holleran and Jim Zembruski evoke the music of the Hollies, the Cyrkle, referencing the aforementioned lyrics, the early Beatles and so many more. Coupled with the infectious upbeat music, the trio has an engaging rapport with the audience, egging them on to name that tune or answer some trivia about the groups or the swinging Sixties. The band is based in Trumbull.
The concert series continues with Bob’s Your Uncle (pictured above, main image) on July 13. The Wilton-based band plays upbeat, soulful, bluesy music, from the Rolling Stones to Adele to the Band. Formed in 2005, Bob’s Your Uncle consists mostly of Wilton residents, including Patty Perry, Matt Greene, Chris Peacock, Tim Flanagan, Dave and Jen Goldwag (formerly of Wilton), and Andre Schipper of Greenwich. They play regularly around the area where people may have seen them at the annual Ambler Farm Day, the Georgetown Saloon, the Redding Roadhouse, or the Little Pub. According to the group, “Be ready to get up and dance to an eclectic mix of tunes from diverse artists and genres.”
Billy and the Showmen bring the R&B, Motown, Funk and Soul sounds to the Brubeck Room on July 20. Established more than fifty years ago by band leader Billy Frenz, Billy and the Showmen has earned its reputation as one of Connecticut’s most enduring Rhythm & Blues bands. Longtime veterans of the Connecticut/New York club scene, the Showmen are “genuine R&B and not a band that plays just some R&B.” The group is based in Greenwich, CT.
The series ends on July 27 with Echoes of Sinatra starring Steve Kazlauskas. This will be the fifth year that his crowd-pleasing renditions from the “Chairman of the Board” will be bringing the audience to its feet.
The concerts are open to the public and free of charge, along with the refreshments that are provided by the library, and the wine donated by Michael Crystal.
With Wilton Library’s Brubeck Room as the venue, the audience has a choice of sitting inside with air conditioning or outside enjoying a summer evening in the Brubeck Courtyard. Concerts take place rain or shine.
Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Rd..