Big Bands back on the beach

By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

June 28, 2009 11:08 pm

— ASHTABULA — It isn’t often something well-planned turns out to be a happy surprise, but the Big Bands on the Beach Sunday had coordinator Timothy Kalil tapping his toes to a grateful beat.
The free summer concert series at Walnut Beach was canceled several weeks ago for lack of funding, only to be resuscitated by the Ashtabula County Medical Center and other private donors, Kalil said.
“We have established the Big Bands on the Beach Charitable Trust to further this concert series and the experience of local arts and entertainment,” Kalil said.
Donations to the trust can be made at any KeyBank location.
Kalil said the concert series costs $3,000 a year to produce, but has become a part of summer in Ashtabula County.
“A lot of people had planned their summer around this concert series,” he said. “I think the funding and the support the community has shown for the concerts really proves how much the concerts are appreciated and enjoyed.”
Sunday’s concert featured the Madison Jazz Project. Singers Dianne Vanas and Beth Johnson said their Walnut Beach concert is one of their favorite of the year.
“To stand up here with the breeze and the sun and the sand is wonderful,” Johnson said. “Who wouldn’t want to listen to great music on the beach?”
Kalil said the concerts also boost business at local shops and restaurants, fueling the local economy with jazz and Big Band beats.
The fireworks concert will be held July 11 at 6 p.m. and will feature the Ashtabula Orchestra. The fireworks show will begin at about 9:45 p.m. Canned goods will be collected for the Country Neighbor Food Pantry.
Other Big Bands on the Beach concerts include Prime Time Big Band at 4 p.m. on July 26 and Tony Esposito on Aug. 30.

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