Free Concert Series to Feature Performance in South Windsor

Farmington Bank has announced the sixth annual Farmington Bank Community Concert Series, featuring 20 free performances by Simply Swing, the popular, 10-piece swing orchestra based in Connecticut.

“We’re proud to support communities in greater Hartford and western Massachusetts by again sponsoring these free, fun-filled events throughout the spring and summer months,” said John J. Patrick, Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Farmington Bank. “These performances provide wonderful opportunities for families, friends and neighbors to enjoy time together in their home towns.”

This year’s series includes concerts at venues including Blueback Square in West Hartford, Riverfront Recapture’s scenic locations on the banks of the Connecticut River in Hartford and East Hartford, as well as performances in East Longmeadow and West Springfield, Massachusetts.

Simply Swing’s performances will include favorites from 10 different big bands, as well as selections saluting the Ella Fitzgerald centennial, and several shows with patriotic themes commemorating Armed Forces Day, Flag Day and Independence Day. All 20 concerts are open and free to the public.

“We are very excited about the music we will be performing in this year’s series,” said Joe LaRosa, Simply Swing musical director and drummer. “We will be saluting a very wide variety of big bands, the one and only Ella, and America,” he added.

Vivian LaRosa, Simply Swing’s featured vocalist, said, “We look forward to engaging our audiences in these wonderful settings. Nothing pleases us more than seeing people swaying in their lawn chairs, singing along, and getting up to dance.”

New England’s premiere swing orchestra, Simply Swing performs throughout the region for events including gala balls, corporate functions, conventions, fairs, and other community events. The group’s cadre of professional musicians have a total of more than 100 years of combined service in military bands.

The free, popular concert series begins Friday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m., at the Enes Community Center in South Windsor, and continues:

• Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m. (indoors) at the Pleasant View Senior Center in East Longmeadow, MA
• Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m. (indoors) at the Senior Center in Avon
• Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m. (indoors) at the Senior Center in Bristol
• Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m., Landmark at Monastery Heights in West Springfield, MA
• Saturday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverfront Recapture’s Great River Park Amphitheater, East River Dr., in East Hartford
• Wednesday, June 14, at 7 p.m., at Veterans Park, Veterans Way, in Berlin
• Thursday, June 22, at 6 p.m., at the Mill Pond Park Gazebo in Newington
• Sunday, June 25, at 7 p.m., at Riverfront Park in Glastonbury
• Thursday, June 29, 7 p.m., at Blue Back Square, Memorial Road, in West Hartford
• Saturday, July 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Mortensen Plaza, Main Stage, in Hartford
• Wednesday, July 5, at 6:30 p.m., at Elizabeth Park in Hartford
• Saturday, July 8, at 7 p.m., at Riverfront Recapture’s Great River Park Amphitheater in East Hartford
• Tuesday. July 18, at 6:30 p.m., at Norton Park in Plainville
• Thursday, July 20 at 7 p.m., at the Alice Clover Pinney Park Gazebo in Unionville
• Thursday, August 3, at 7 p.m., at Henry Park in Vernon
• Monday, August 14, at 7 p.m., at the Darius Miller Band Shell, Walnut Hill Park, in New Britain
• Friday, August 18, at 7 p.m., at the Bicentennial Band Shell in Manchester
• Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center in Bloomfield
• Monday, September 18, at 7 p.m. (indoors) at the Calendar House in Southington

All changes to scheduled performances of the Farmington Bank Community Concert Series to inclement weather will be posted on Simply Swing’s website at www.simplyswingmusic.com.

Visit www.farmingtonbankct.com/CommunityConcertSeries.com or www.simplyswingmusic.com for more information.

Photo credit: Simply Swing