Rochester’s Music in the Park series heats up summer fun

ROCHESTER — The 43rd annual Music in the Park concert series kicks off this month, bringing music and merriment to Rochester’s Municipal Park.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Rochester, the series features seven concerts, which take place 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays in and around the band shelter in Rochester’s Municipal Park, located behind City Hall, at 400 Sixth St.

Every year, audiences set up blankets and lawn chairs on the hill around the stage. Some bring picnic baskets filled with dinner, nonalcoholic beverages and snacks, while others opt to purchase refreshments on-site.

Jeff LaDuke, a Rochester resident and audio engineer who is in charge of finding the bands for the series and of setting up the sound system each year, said the free summer concert series has something for just about everyone because a different band performs a different style of music onstage each week.

“We get a lot of young families with kids, who like to get up and dance sometimes or just run around and have fun,” he said.

This year’s bands include some returning favorites, as well as some new groups.

“The bottom-line criteria that I go by is, I want groups that entertain people,” said LaDuke.

The first concert, to be held June 15, will feature the Rochester Community Band, performing in the series for its first time. Other performances include the jazz trio David Thomas Co. June 22; the J. Geils Tribute Band, Raputa! June 29; Great Lakes maritime songs by La Compagnie July 6; classic rock’n’roll by the Jello Shots July 13; American folk and country music by The Hackwells July 20; and the Rochester Symphony Orchestra July 27.

“This is just a good family event. It’s a real staple of Rochester,” LaDuke shared.

During the brief intermission at each show, there will be a raffle, with proceeds benefiting future concert series.

“Over the many years of Music in the Park, Rochester Kiwanis has given the greater Rochester Area the opportunity to enjoy an evening of fun, free concerts in a beautiful park setting. With the help of our loyal sponsors and music lovers, our hope is that this community tradition will continue for another 43 years,” Kiwanis member Eugenia Bajorek said in an email.

This year’s Music in the Park sponsors include Dillman and Upton, Haig’s of Rochester: jewelry & antiques, Lucido Fine Jewelry, Modetz Funeral Homes, the Rochester Community Foundation, Rochester Wealth Management, Serra Automotive Rochester, and longtime Kiwanis members Mike and Jeannie Daly.