Storey Square Summer Concert Series opens
There are several signs that summer has arrived, such as firing up the grill, jumping into the pool for the first time and even seeing sunlight stretching into the later hours. One of the best signs that summer has arrived in the city of Uniontown is the Storey Square Summer Concert Series. The series opened recently, filling the city with wonderful sights, sounds and smells.
“It’s such a beautiful day, and we have wonderful music,” said Connie Burd, newly appointed Main Street manager. “We think the crowd will continue to grow all season long.”
Audience members were treated to the wonderful jazz sounds of Harold Betters. He is a musical veteran with more than four decades of jazz performances. Betters has been a regular performer at the concert series.
“We come back, and the people seem to enjoy me,” Betters said. “We get a nice crowd.”
His long list of accolades includes being listed by the Playboy Jazz Poll as one of the best trombonists in the country. He also has had the distinction of performing on “The Tonight Show,” “Merv Griffin” and “Mike Douglas.”
“This year’s concert was great just like last year’s,” said audience member Sandy Tracy of Uniontown. “We really enjoyed it last year, and we wanted to come back this year.”
Another key component to the Storey Square Concert Series are the restaurants that cater the event. Each week a different restaurant sets up a table and makes a particular entr?e along with side choices.
This week featured The Lardin House Inn of German Township. The menu options were pulled pork, meatball and roast beef sandwiches with a side salad. Water and soft drinks also were available.
“We have participated in the past, and we really enjoy it,” said Bill Aupperle, Lardin House Inn owner. “It’s so nice the city does an event like this. It’s really nice to be part of the area.”
As a sweet treat, the Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority (DBDA) sold ice cream for the audience to enjoy during the concert.
The Storey Square Concert Series will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday through Aug. 25.
The Softwinds, a Pittsburgh doo-wop group, performed on June 9, and Romeo and Sons of Uniontown served dinner.
Performing the June 16 concert will be The Bobby Reed Trio, and Angelina’s Piccolo of North Union Township will be the food vendor.
The following week, June 23, will feature a concert by the Polish Six Packs and will be sponsored in part by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. Providing food that evening will be Pasta Lorenzo of Uniontown.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47 Band of Uniontown will perform on June 30. The DBDA is still looking for a food vendor.
SNAP will be performing on July 7, and Rizz’s of Uniontown will be providing food.
July 14 will feature The Sammy Bill Orchestra, and Angelina’s will be returning to serve dinner.
On July 21, the New Landers will be performing, while Choices International of Uniontown will cater the concert.
July 28 concert will feature The Brass Knuckles Band, and the Uniontown Boston Beanery will be providing dinner.
The Polish Six Pack will do an encore performance on Aug. 4 while Sam’s Restaurant of Uniontown joins them.
Aug. 11 will feature the Greater Uniontown Chorale and the Scottdale Community Band. A food vendor is needed for this date.
Roger Humphrey will take the stage on Aug. 18, and Rizz’s restaurant will return.
To close the season on Aug. 25, Harold Betters will return along with The Lardin House Inn.
“It’s nice to see a big crowd,” Tracy said. “We will be back, because we are looking forward to seeing the concerts.”
For more information, call the Downtown Business District Authority in Uniontown at 724-438-4289.