The 2021 Summer Concert Live season is one of the first larger events to be held in downtown New Castle after the lifting of many COVID restrictions. The series will offer an outdoor venue, ample space to be socially distanced at the viewer’s comfort level, and a return to normalcy through live music, good food, and a great chance to reconnect with the community in Riverwalk Park.
The concert series schedule kicks off on Friday, June 25th with New Castle’s ‘The Dorals’, a six-piece band performing music from the Baby Boomer generation from the 50’s and beyond. Their performance will be accompanied by a Classic Car Show, hosted by the Rapid Tappets Car Club, and filling the adjacent E. Washington Street.
July 2nd will kick off the 4th of July holiday weekend with Snarfunkle’s high energy acoustic show. July 16th will feature the talents of the New Castle Playhouse Mini Stars, as well as Playhouse Alum and active local performers. On July 23rd, The Zoo will be delivering the best in rock from the 70’s, the 80’s and today’s dance hits! July 30th features the Pittsburgh 80’s tribute band: Totally 80’s. The Labra Brothers return to the Riverwalk Stage on August 13th with their Latin funk vibe. Western PA’s nostalgic ‘My so-called 90’s Band’ brings a full band featuring 90’s classic music on August 20th. Closing out the series on August 27th is Youngstown’s Total Package Band, with a set featuring R&B, Motown, Rock and Oldies.
“It’s been a hard year (plus) for many- very isolating, very hard financially, and we are so excited to bring back this free series for a community that is hungry for ‘normal’ and connecting again,” says Angie Urban, Executive Director of New Visions- coordinators of the series for the last 8 seasons. “We are hosting more concerts in our line-up than in previous years, totaling 8 between June 25 through August 27th, and have some really high quality entertainment lined up.”
The series new host will be Jeffrey Feola, a native of New Castle, who brings a bevy of talent and experience from work on Broadway in NYC and traveling Broadway shows. Jeff came back to his hometown through circumstances surrounding the impact of the pandemic on the entertainment business and is eager to help develop the entertainment scene here. Jeffrey Feola is originally from New Castle, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the class of 2007 from Slippery Rock University with a BA in Theatre. His Regional credits include: Unseam’d Shakespeare Company and Pittsburgh Public Theater. Directly upon graduation, Jeffrey began his career working on the General Management side of theater in New York City. His Off-Broadway credits include, Three Sisters with Maggie Gyllenhaal, Forbidden Broadway, and 39 Steps. Jeff was the Company Manager for The Public Theater’s Mobile Shakespeare Unit in which a Shakespeare play was brought and performed to homeless shelters, women’s shelters, recreational spaces, minimum and maximum security prisons, and parks. His Associate Company Manager credits includes 12 time Tony Award nominee Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway with Josh Groban, The Sponge Bob Musical (Chicago Pre-Broadway), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (National Tour), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (National Tour), Elf: The Musical (National Tour), and Hamilton (National Tour).
Angie got connected to Jeff, she learned of his passion for music and the performing arts, and eagerly brought him on board to help develop this year’s big return and celebration of the 20th outdoor concert season. “Jeff is really an asset to New Castle and the region and we are eager to give him this small step into the local arts scene, but hope that he will be able to develop tremendous opportunities for people here to enjoy a variety of entertainment,” says Urban. “While the pandemic has certainly been difficult and a change of pace for many, it has also brought a great deal of talent home that is willing and eager to be part of revitalization efforts here. We are so fortunate to be connected to Jeff and are positive that this will be the best concert season yet.”
Each concert is 6-9 PM at Riverwalk Park in downtown New Castle. Each show will offer a featured food truck, a select menu available from The Confluence, and the taste of VentiSei Winery. A 50/50 raffle will help support the series and other community events downtown. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.
All concerts are free to the public and made possible through the support of the City of New Castle and New Visions, Visit Lawrence County, the Downtown Business Association, Hoyt Center for the Arts, and the Williams-Cleveland Company.
New Visions is a 501c3 non-profit organization helping lead efforts for revitalizing New Castle and Lawrence County. They host volunteer opportunities throughout the year for people to help beautify the community (through clean-ups, planting flowers, and public art). They also coordinate events that bring people from across the region to enjoy downtown New Castle (like the Summer Concert Series, annual Hometown Holiday Parade, Ice Skating Rink, and more). New Visions serves to connect, coordinate, and help lead revitalization efforts.
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