Town of Hempstead summer concerts are back

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This year, Town of Hempstead residents will have the opportunity to end a summer day by packing up their coolers, ordering some takeout and heading to their local parks with their family and friends to enjoy a free concert.

The Town of Hempstead Neighborhood Concert Series will kick off on June 26, with a performance by the Commodores, followed by a firework shows, in Point Lookout. The music will keep on going on weekday nights at 7:30 p.m.  (see box) until Sept. 4, when Billy Joels tribute band Big Shot wraps up the season.

“We are expecting great attendance with the concerts this year,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said. “People are ready to get out, and they want to be outside..”

And having people out is also a plus for local businesses, which will be happy to supply takeout for hungry concertgoers, said Richie Krug, the president of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

“We are equally as excited as the community is,” Krug said. “The stronger the town, the stronger the community, the stronger the businesses are going to be.”

Speno Park will be hosting the concerts in East Meadow. Taylor Swift cover-band Fearless will be playing on July 7 and a tribute to Latin icons, Mi Gente Live, will be performing on Aug.11.

Last year, the town hosted 28 bands with drive-in concerts in Point Lookout. This year, residents will be able to visit their neighborhood parks to enjoy the music while seeing their neighbors.

“The [drive-in concerts] were successful, people were excited, but I’ll tell you, people want that local concert,” Clavin said. “They want to walk down to that local park and watch a band.”

Among the performers will be 45 RPM, known for its “C’mon Get Happy” show featuring hits from the 1970s. The band will play at Merrick Road Park on July 9, in memory of its late bandmate, Danny Calvagna, of Deer Park, who died on Feb. 3 after a long battle with Covid-19.

Danny’s wife, Karen Norris Calvagna, said she has appreciated the support of 45 RPM fans, and was looking forward to having the band play for Long Islanders this summer and honor Danny’s life.

“The fans, they understand how Danny’s passing has affected everyone,” Karen said. “Aside from just reaching out to me with condolences, they appropriately reached out to all the band members, who have been family. Having that understanding with everyone has been so kind and so wonderful in this tragic time.”

The band is currently in the process of raising money for a scholarship in Danny’s name for graduating seniors from Carle Place High School whose love of music will always be an integral part of their lives.