Local Bands Set to Rock Chappaqua at Outdoor Concert
Most local outdoor concerts cater to the musical tastes of adults. This Friday, the Town of New Castle and Music in Chappaqua and New York Rock Academy will be looking to attract teenagers to the gazebo on South Greeley Avenue.
On Friday afternoon the town and music school will present the Chappaqua Outdoor Rockfest after school, featuring 10 of the best bands from the New York Rock Academy’s music program. The free event is scheduled to start at 2:45 p.m. after students at the nearby Robert E. Bell Middle School are dismissed.
For young musicians who have practiced and worked hard, it is a thrilling moment to play an outdoor set,” said Janet Angier, director of Music in Chappaqua and the New York Rock Academy.
“These groups have really been looking forward to getting a chance to play for all of their friends and family,” Angier said.
Each of the10 bands will play a two-song set following the opening numbers spotlighting New York Rock Academy faculty, including Chappaqua resident David Bickler, the former lead singer of the 1980s band Survivor.
It is the second show the town and New York Rock Academy will have staged. Last September on Community Day, the town and the school co-sponsored the first rockfest featuring teenage bands.
New Castle Recreation Supervisor Matthew Nordt said the school and the town discussed holding another concert after last year’s event. Since the program started toward the end of a long day last year, there may not have been as many spectators as hoped for, he said. It was decided to hold an after school concert late in the school year to try and capture some of the students getting out of school. It is recommended that students bring snacks while enjoying the show.
Nordt said the venue makes the concerts an exciting event for the performers and the audience.
“The gazebo is a great place to have a concert, ” he said. “Our Wednesday concerts are geared toward adults, and we wanted to plan a special event for teens.”
In the event of inclement weather, there will be an announcement from the town earlier in the day about cancellation or to reschedule. There isn’t an indoor facility for the town to use on short notice to move the concert, Nordt said.
The gazebo is located across the street from the Chappaqua Public Library, which is located at 195 S. Greeley Ave. For more information, contact Music in Chappaqua and the New York Rock Academy at 914-238-3123 or through e-mail at mail@musicinchappaqua.com or visit www.newyorkrockacademy.com.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
