By Kim McDarison
Two summertime music concert series, one in Fort Atkinson and one in Whitewater, will soon be returning.
In Fort Atkinson, Community Band Director Wayne Crook notes a full itinerary of musical performances, including the return of the “ice cream social,” which will be held in Barrie Park during performances, which also take place in Barrie Park, and in Whitewater, “Savory Sounds,” featuring music and opportunities to purchase lunch, will be sponsored by the Whitewater Arts Alliance, and held near the Birge Fountain in front of the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, according to alliance manager Ashe McDarison.
A schedule of performances for each concert series follows.
Fort Atkinson Community Band concerts
In its 63rd year, Crook, in a recent news release noted that the first Fort Atkinson Community Band concert of the year will be held Monday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m.
The ice cream social, which will be sponsored by the First Congregational Church, will open at 7 p.m. Ice cream will remain available for purchase throughout the concert, Crook noted.
This year’s band includes some 40 members from Fort Atkinson and the surrounding area, he said.
Musical selections are chosen in “all styles of music” and “for all ages to enjoy,” he added.
“Every concert includes traditional marches, show tunes, swing music, polkas, soloists, novelty selections, and Latin and traditional symphonic band literature,” Crook continued.
Event-goers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs, and additional seating is provided by the Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Department in front of the Barrie Park bandshell, according to Crook.
This year’s summer concert series includes five concerts, all of which will be performed on a Monday, at 7:30 p.m., as follows: June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31, and Aug. 14.
Concerts are free and open to the public.
Concerts will move to the Trinity Lutheran Church, located across the street from Barrie Park at 314 Barrie St., Fort Atkinson, in cases of inclement weather. Concerts, their themes and repertoires, follow.
• June 19 concert, with its theme: “This, That and the Other,” will feature the following repertoire: “Ukrainian National Anthem,” “Star Spangled Banner,” “March Grandioso,” “Contempora Overture,” “Gimmicks,” “Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” “Espri De Corps,” “El Relicario,” “Instant Concert,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Minnie the Moocher,” and “Funiculi Funicula.”
• July 3 concert, with its theme: “American Song Writers,” will feature the following repertoire: “Ukraine National Anthem,” “Star Spangled Banner,” “Armed Force Pride of America,” “Americans We,” “Declaration Overture,” “South Pacific,” “Alla Barocco,” “Riders of the Flag,” “Ol’ Man River,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Dixie Doodle Dandy,” “Alexanders Ragtime Band,” and “God Bless America.”
• July 17 concert, with its theme: “Fun and Frivolous,” will feature the following repertoire: “Ukraine National Anthem,” “Star Spangled Banner,” “Bill Bailey,” “Dixieland March,” “Country Bandstand,” “Curtain Call,” “Five-Foot-Two; Eyes of Blue,” “On The Tramp,” “Queen In Concert,” “McCarther Park,” “Rockin Robin,” “Sugertime,” and “Rock Around The Clock.”
• July 31 concert, with its theme: “Hootenanny Folk Festival,” will feature the following repertoire: “Ukraine National Anthem,” “Star Spangled Banner,” “Southern Folk March,” English Folk Song Suite, part 3,” “Cotton Eyed Joe,” “We Shall Overcome,” “Bonnie Annie Laurie,” “This Land Is Your Land,” “Yellow Bird,” “Czardas,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Traveline Music.”
• Aug. 14 concert, with its theme: “Summer Favorites,” will feature a repertoire chosen by the audience and yet to be determined.
Barrie Park is located at 210 Roberts St., Fort Atkinson.
Savory Sounds concerts
The Savory Sounds concert series, held annually at the Birge Fountain, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater, will open Thursday, June 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., with music played by the Steve Meisner Band.
According to McDarison, Savory Sounds coordinator Christine Hayes has confirmed that the band will be keeping its scheduled performance, the date of which was set prior to Meisner’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent death late last month. The group will be dedicating the performance to Meisner. The performance is titled: “The Steve Meisner Legacy.”
A Savory Sounds poster produced by the alliance offered the following quote from Meisner: “Music is a large part of the soul of our society and I want to touch that part of people’s souls … that part of their soul that makes a difference in their lives and shows them that music and dancing can excite, motivate and heal.”
Each Savory Sounds concert is paired with an onsite vendor from which lunch may be purchased. The Steve Meisner Legacy concert is paired with The Sweet Spot.
The Savory Sounds series offers five concerts, each of which is performed on a Thursday, at the Birge Fountain between 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Additional concert dates include June 29, July 13, July 20, and July 27.
Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concerts are free and open to the public.
Concerts will be held rain or shine, McDarison said.
Concerts, performers and their paired lunch vendors follow.
• June 22, “Steve Meisner Legacy,” paired with The Sweet Spot.
• June 29, 132D Army Band, described within information released by the alliance as “one of the finest military bands in the nation.” The band performs around the world in ceremonial, military and community events and has a repertoire that includes traditional, jazz and popular pieces. The band is paired with food vendor La Preferida.
• July 13, “Cole and Company,” described within alliance literature as “classic jazz music,” featuring romantic songs. The band is paired with food vendor Casual Joes BBQ.
• July 20, “Tapestry,” described by the alliance as a five-piece acoustic string band with vocals, the music will be paired with food vendor Jersey Mikes.
• July 27, “Cream City Brass Band,” described by the alliance as “fun for the whole family,” featuring “high energy, modern, New Orleans-style” music. The band is paired with food vendor Rocky Rococo.
Fort Atkinson Community Band Director Wayne Crook, at left, leads the Fort Atkinson Community Band last summer during the first of several concerts held in Barrie Park. File photo/Chris Spangler. The Cream City Brass Band performs in 2021 at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center. The band is among those scheduled to perform as part of the Savory Sounds series in 2023. Contributed photo.
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