Concerts on the Grass Resume Wednesday Evenings
This is the popular Jesse Liam Band which will play this year on July 31 at Mendon Town Beach.
By David Dunbar
Looking for something cool, entertaining, and free to do this summer?
Concerts on the Grass in Bellingham and Mendon on Wednesday evenings this month and next might be just what you’re looking for. And there are free pony rides for the kids each evening.
The concerts are organized and presented by local cable television station ABMI8. Steve Saraceno is the station’s Publicity Director and Concerts on the Grass organizer.
“I’ve been organizing Concerts on the Grass for almost 25 years now,” explains Saraceno. “We are dedicated to providing free summer shows for the Bellingham and Mendon communities. One exciting new act we’re looking forward to showcasing this year is Alexander’s Jazz Time Band, a 22-member ensemble that concludes the series August 14 at Mendon Town Beach.”
Each concert attracts about 100 spectators and lasts approximately two hours.
“ABMI records every concert,” adds Saraceno, “and we cablecast the recorded production the following weekend and periodically throughout the summer and fall. The shows are also archived at our website abmi8.org”
Here’s the schedule:
Bellingham Town Common
Wednesday July 10. 6–7 p.m. Free pony rides. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Westwood Swing (big band).
Wednesday July 17. 6-7 p.m. Free pony rides. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Back Pages (rock and pop).
Wednesday July 24. 6–7 p.m. Free pony rides. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Morse Code (classic rock). Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.
“Middlesex Savings Bank,” explains Marketing Manager Terri Valentine, “is proud to sponsor this event as it aligns with our sense of community involvement. We strive to be as active in our branch town communities as possible. The Concert on the Grass is a perfect opportunity to support the Bellingham community.”
Mendon Town Beach
Wednesday July 31. Free Pony Rides. 6:30 –7:30 p.m. 6:30–8:30 p.m. The Jesse Liam Band (contemporary rock).
Wednesday Aug 7. Free Pony Rides. 6:30 –7:30 p.m. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Quintessential Brass (brass band).
Wednesday Aug 14. Free Pony Rides. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Alexander’s Jazztime Band (jazz standards) Sponsored by Dean Bank.
“The pony rides are always a big hit with the kids,” says Leo Dalpe, a member of Bellingham’s Town Common Trustees Committee. The committee sponsored the first concert this year on June 26 and oversees the use of the Town Common.
“The rock bands are great,” says Dalpe. “It’s a very worthwhile program that we’ve sponsored for years.”
