About Town: Events In and Around Rye

From the summer band music series opening at Rye Town Park, a Rye library discussion about children and parents in the age of medication, and the farewell to various education biggies in Rye Town (including discussion on naming a new supe of schools) to hello to a nearby poetry jam, there’s lots going on hereabouts in the next few days.

Here are the high notes:

Time was when Westchester used to swing and sway to the summer Big Band Sound of the Sammy Kayes, Tommy Dorseys, Glenn Millers, Benny Goodmans, and Guy Lombardos leading famed orchestras that kept the joint rocking at the nearby Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle.

That was then.

This is now. And Rye will once again be rocking to band music. Rye Town Park will once again be alive to the sound of music during a free Tuesday summer night band concert series.

RTP and The Friends of RTP are sponsoring the concert series at the south pavilion of RTP, overlooking Oakland Beach, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and feature the music of high-quality Westchester bands.

The concerts will be held rain or shine except in the case of thunderstorms. Two dates have been set aside in case that happens.

Here’s a look at the upcoming performing band lineup in case you want to print the list out and save it as a kind of reminder of musical events to come:

July 5th  - Rock Island Sound Rejects  features rock and blues guitarist, pianist, bassist, composer and arranger Paul Bessolo who brings over 25 years of experience to the bandstand. He swings and sways as part of a quartet made up of Rye’s Rock Island Sound music school teachers: including John Mennona on bass, Isaac Assor on keys/vocals, and Dave Valle on drums. They claim to be part of “the best music school and the coolest guitar store in Rye” at 619 Milton Rd., a place that describes itself as “Home of the Future Rock Star.” So get ready to rock if not roll.

July 12th  – Carlos Jimenez and Mambo Dulcet is a popular Yonkers-based band featuring Latin music for your listening and dancing pleasure. Leader Carlos Jimenez plays flute and is joined by guitarists, percussionists and other instruments. 

July 19th – Make-Up Date In Case of Storm Cancellation

July 26th – Reddy Valentino Orchestra is a “swing” orchestra that began in 1938 at New York’s Hotel Edison in the Broadway theatre district. Rye’s  Scott Wenzel took over in the late 1990s. But that don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got the swing, and the orchestra still has it with music featuring trumpets, trombones and reeds.  Its 16 musicians cook up a big band sound heard most recently locally at Rye’s Wainwright House.

August 2nd  –Billy & The Showmen - one of the region’s most popular and enduring Rhythm & Blues bands.   Their R & B Revue features the soulful vocals of the best singers in the Northeast, along with a strong horn section and a tight rhythm section.

August 9th -- The Derivatives describe themselves as definitely not “toxic assets.”  The Rye-based six-member band has been part of the Rye Town Park Concert Sunset Series for many a moon, blue and otherwise, and play the kind of music that makes you want to dance the night away. 

August 16th - Make Up Date In Case of Storm Cancellation

August 23rd - The Angelo Rubino Band features Ang as lead singer and sax player, and his daughter, vocalist Ann Rubino. The band performs a wide range of musical styles from the 1940’s to the 90’s – everything from big band dance tunes to soft rock, and from Doo-wop, to Latin pop.

Helpful Hints: Admission is free, but parking costs $2 at RTP after 5 p.m. Some seating will be available, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Picnicking is welcome, dining or take-out is available at the nearby Seaside Johnnie’s restaurant. 

Further information:  www.ryetownpark.org or call 914 967-0965.

Wednesday in Rye Brook, the Port Chester Board of Education will bid farewell to Board President Jim Taylor and Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor with the agenda also focusing on the possible appointment of a new superintendent and an end-of-year evaluation of district goals.