Cents-less sounds of summer abound—some of which will once again emanate from Pizzeria Uno on West Columbus Avenue in Springfield.
In fact, Roberta Hurwitz of the franchise-owning Hurwitz family reports that the upper crust of area audio artisans will hold court in her family’s restaurant courtyard seven days per week through September.
“The music is certainly a nice enhancement in terms of ambience, and it’s interesting to see the different audiences each night,” Hurwitz notes. “For example, we see a lot of younger groups and friends every Thursday, when we have Good Acoustics doing their classics and eclectic hits. On Fridays, the Emotion band takes us through the ’70s to today, bringing in an older crowd—lots of date nights, it looks like.”
Uno’s Courtyard series is rounded out with Eric Bascom on Mondays; his set of “new standards” is the “perfect kick-off to the week,” Hurwitz adds. Gary Jones and Frank Serafino preside over the festivities each Tuesday, giving way to Eagle Eyes, whose unique amalgam of classics and contemporary hits makes him the “quintessential hump-day performer” in Hurtwitz’s eyes.
Saturdays the Tom Ingram Band whips up a family-friendly fiesta with a rock set. And, in what has become a series staple, area siren Ethel Lee and her ensemble dish out an evening of jazz and blues every Sunday.
The free Uno performances take place 6-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7 -11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Any may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
Meanwhile, on the (culture) club circuit, the Cultural Councils from the towns of Agawam and Ludlow kick off their respective summer series this week as well.
The Ludlow (agawamcc.org) offerings will occur at the Mack Donnelly Gazebo in Memorial Park this Sunday, July 6 with Moonshine Holler and continue with the Briefcase Blues Brothers July 27, Roger Tincknell Aug. 17, and a Monday, Aug. 25 performance by Deva and The Upstream.
In Agawam, Rod Stewart sound-alike Rick Larrimore gets the opening nod for the Summerfest concert series on Veteran’s Green, 698 Main St. July 2, passing the mic off to rock-pop party faves Maxxtone July 9, Celt-rock kings Enter The Haggis July 16, classic faves Built for Comfort July 23, and Steppin’ Out, performing music from the ’40s to today, on July 30.
Like seemingly every series this summer, including Agawam’s, Watermelon Wednesdays in West Whately and more, there will also be one special alternate date in the Ludlow series, with Ray Guillemette breaking up the string of Wednesdays with his Ray of Elvis show on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
Wednesday, Aug. 13 has been confirmed as the final date for Ludlow’s Summerfest. What’s still up in the air is the headliner, but considering that this show is sponsored by KIX 100.9 FM, expect it to be a big name with country flair.
Speaking of radio, Springfield’s Rock 102 is offering one lucky tribute band the chance to open for Get The Led Out and Rush replicators Lotus Land at Mountain Park Aug. 2.
After registering at rock102.com, the top five entries will enter an onstage sonic fray at Pearl Street in Northampton on Saturday, July 19 for the coveted slot.
Those vanquished in battle—or people who would just like to the see the show—need only point their browsers to iheg.com, where tix are on sale now and priced at $35 and $25, depending on your proximity to the “What Is And What Shall Never Be”-ers.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
