Summer concert series to return next weekend

TORONTO -- A variety of performers will again appear in the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization's series of free summer concerts, with the first to be held July 1 as a prelude to the city's fireworks display later that night.

George Komar, the group's president, said local vocalist Rich Coburn and the singing duo of Roz and Lynn will perform patriotic and other music between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and attendees are welcome to remain at the Gazebo Commons at North Third and Market streets to view the pyrotechnics.

Discharged near the city's water treatment plant, the fireworks can be viewed from many areas of the city.

Because the city is likely to draw many visitors on that day, Komar wanted to make clear that during the show, North Third Street will be closed from Main to Market streets and Market Street will be closed from North Third Street to an alley between the Presbyterian and United Methodist churches.

The special show will kick off the concert series, which will resume at the regular time of 7 p.m. each Wednesday through August.

Komar said fellow coalition member Jon Greiner again has worked hard to arrange a wide variety of musical guests for the shows.

The lineup includes the Russell Sisters, with music from the 1970s and 80s and the soft rock of the Two Friends Trio on July 5; the classic rock of Poor Man's Heaven on July 12; the Easy Street Band on July 19; the Steel Cassa steel drum band and Madel Jager, a Pittsburgh-area band specializing in polka and other traditional music from Eastern Europe, as well as more modern tunes, both on July 26; the Ron Retzer Trio on Aug. 2; Twice as Nice on Aug. 9; 40 Plus on Aug. 16; country and rock vocalist Chelsea Householder and the Remainders, with music from the 1960s and 70s, on Aug. 23; and Jimmy Lee Hook on Aug. 30.

A Toronto native, Hook performs professionally in Cincinnati, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and other places but makes time each year to perform in his hometown. His repertoire includes the songs of Billy Joel, a personal favorite, and others as well as his own tunes. He often is accompanied by guitarist Sam Hudnell.

The performers set up in the gazebo at the park, which is decorated for summer and Christmas by members of the Toronto Beautification Committee.

Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets on which to sit and may bring their own snacks and drinks.

Komar said members of the Toronto High School National Honor Society have made plans to aid attendees if needed, while members of Cub Scout Pack 41 will be helping the coalition to collect donations between the shows.

He noted pack member Lucas Ault is known for sharing a joke while doing so, and the group sometimes sells snacks.

Komar, who each year solicits contributions for the concerts, expressed thanks to the many businesses and groups who have lent financial support to them.

"Without the sponsors' help, we couldn't do it," he said.

Komar was pleased to announce the list of sponsors has grown this year and includes: B&W Auto Repair, Cattrell Cos. Inc., Eastern Ohio Speed and Agility Academy, J.E. Foster Funeral Homes, Hilscher-Clarke Electric, Howard Hanna Real Estate, Iggy's Pizza and Pasta, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, L.A. Wargo Home Improvement, Little Elephants and Friends, Main Street Bank, Mike Swearingen Insurance Station, PRC Construction, Ridge Machine & Welding Co., Rustic Roots, State Farm Insurance agent Toni Moreland, TIMET, the Toronto Apothecary, Toronto Beautification Committee, Toronto Kiwanis Club, US Bank, Valley Converting, White Front Cafe, White Glove Supply and Clarke Funeral Home, which sponsors the portable restrooms.

The concerts are one of many ways the coalition has worked to enhance Toronto's image, attract visitors to the city and bring attention to its businesses.

Recently the group has commissioned the painting of interactive murals on the exteriors of several businesses.

Komar said he got the idea from social media, where visitors to a given site would post photos of themselves standing between painted wings of an angel or butterfly or appearing to hold a bunch of balloons.

He said local artists Gina Hampson and Sarah Drake have been recruited for the task and encouraged to come up with their own ideas for interactive images.

"I'm hoping to have 10 to 15 of them when we're done. I'm very excited about it," said Komar.

He said as the murals are completed, they will be listed on the coalition's Facebook page.

Komar noted students in Amanda Speece's art classes at Toronto Junior-Senior High School have lent their talents to beautifying the community garden along Clark Street.

Maintained by various groups, the garden itself is backed by a mural tribute to Noah Long, a local student who died at age 8 following a battle against cancer.

Speece's students have painted colorful images of various fictional characters, cartoon animals and scenes of nature that have been placed among its raised garden beds.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)