Middletown Arts Center to Host Free Summer Concert Series of Live Music from Beatles to Blues

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. - July 15, 2013 - PRLog -- The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) located at 36 Church Street in Middletown will host the Middletown Summer Concert Series every other Thursday beginning on July 11th through August 22nd from 7:00-9:00 p.m.  Presented annually by the Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council and the Middletown Recreation Department, the free entertainment is widely-anticipated by the community. This year’s talented lineup of musical acts will perform a series of four family-friendly, outdoor concerts on the MAC's Northern Lawn. There will be a musical style for everyone to enjoy from Beatles classics to New Orleans blues to early rock and roll classics.

The public is invited to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and refreshments. Alcohol is prohibited. Free parking is on-site.The public is invited to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and refreshments. Free parking is on-site. Club MAC will be providing arts activities at the Middletown Summer Concerts. Kids will enjoy spin art and other arts activities, while parents sit back, relax and enjoy the shows.

In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held in the Middletown Arts Center's theater. Call the Middletown Arts Center at 732-706-4100 or visit www.middletownnj.org for more information.


Middletown Summer Concert Series Lineup

July 11th: Special Request

The Special Request Band has been performing for audiences all over the tri-state area for over a decade. The band was formed by veteran musicians L. Darnell Taylor (vocalist) and Frank Banafato (guitarist) after a chance meeting at a local music venue. Recognizing their mutual love of soul , R&B, and classic rock music , they joined musical forces and created a group to perform the greatest hits of the genres. Frank and Darnell soon added other like-minded musicians including  Lou Torres (guitar), Pat Lonzello (bass) and Ken Wilson (drums). The band enjoys a loyal following and has performed at many music venues and public events throughout the area.  

July 25th: Beatles Tribute with Glen Burtnik, Bob Burger & Friends

The concert will include a performance of early Beatles classics performed in an authentic “note for note” presentation that captures the sound and mood of the original recordings and live concerts.  Glen Burtnik, bassist and vocalist, is a singer, songwriter, entertainer and multi-instrumentalist best known as a former member of Styx.  Bob Burger, rhythm guitarist and vocalist, is a singer/songwriter who also has long performed Beatles and other tribute shows with Glen Burtnik and Bobby Bandiera. John Merjave, lead guitarist and vocalist, has played the George Harrison lead guitar role for ten years in the Beatles tribute band “Liverpool” as the official house band for “Fest for Beatles Fans” annual shows in New York City and Chicago.  Dave Anthony, drummer and vocalist, is an extraordinary musician who has replicated the Ringo Starr drumming style at many of the Burtnik Beatles tribute shows, and is widely known as a session player throughout the New York/New Jersey region. For more information on Beatles Tribute with Glen Burtnik, Bob Burger & Friends visit www.GlenBurtnik.com or www.BobBurger.com.

August 8th: The VooDUDES

The VooDUDES play a unique blend of New Orleans funk, blues, boogie-woogie, honky-tonk, Zydeco, Southern soul and Caribbean party music. The band has been featured in numerous festivals, including The Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival, Philadelphia's Jambalaya Jam, New York's Benson & Hedges Blues Festival and Ft. Lauderdale's Crazy Crawfish Fest. They have performed from Montreal, Canada to New Orleans, LA and have also toured Europe. The VooDUDES consist of Dave Ambrosy on vocals and drums; Gary Ambrosy on vocals and guitar; Andy B on vocals, harmonica, percussion and rubboard; Fred Saunders on bass and beads; and John Pittas on keyboard and accordion.  For more information on The VooDUDES, visit www.thevoodudes.net.

August 22nd: Rave On!

Rave On! performs the music of Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison, playing hits like “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue,” and “Not Fade Away,” along with other early rock and roll classics. Rave On! is always a crowd pleaser, as the timeless classics the band performs appeal to all ages. The band consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Chris Roselle; bassist and background vocalist Pete Farley; and drummer and background vocalist Don Guinta. For more information on Rave On! visit www.raveonband.com.  

About the Middletown Arts Center

The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art facility run by the nonprofit Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council and is dedicated to bringing quality arts programming and events to Middletown and surrounding communities. The MAC offers enrichment programs and entertainment for all ages and abilities.  Visit www.middletownarts.org for more information. The MAC can also be found on Facebook at Middletown Arts Center and Twitter @MiddletownArts.