Shades of Harmony to re-introduce public concerts in the park at Calais

CALAIS — Local residents who are looking for good music and a good time should make their way to the Main Street Park at 6 p.m. (EDT) Thursday, Aug. 9, to hear the performances of two outstanding musical groups, “Shades of Harmony” from New Brunswick and Calais’ own Merrill and Johnson. The “Concert in the Park” will be part of this year’s International Festival, which will be celebrated from Saturday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 12.

WQDY owner Dan Hollingdale, this year’s chairman of “Concert in the Park,” said the program was sponsored by the Calais Area Chamber of Commerce and funded by grants from the city and the 1990 International Festival Committee. Hollingdale has been assisted by Jean Kelley, president of the CACC.

“A flatbed truck, donated by Thomas DiCenzo Co., will serve as our stage. The performers will be on the flatbed and they will have all their sound equipment. It should cover the park nicely,” he said.

Hollingdale described the event as “an old-fashioned good time in the park.” The concert chairman, who was raised in Calais, said he recalled summers when he was a youngster and he sat in the park with his family and listened to music.

“There used to be band concerts on weekends, old-fashioned bands with a lot of brass. People used to come and sit in the park, or sit in their automobiles along the park and beep their horn at the end of each number. It was well attended in those days, but the kiss of death came when television came to the area and people started to stay home. I think people now are ready for this. They are looking for an excuse to get out and be entertained outside their homes,” he said.

Although the concert is free, Hollingdale said that the chamber would “pass the hat” to raise money for its work in the community. He said the chamber also would have a hot dog and soft drink stand on site for those who would like to munch and listen.

Hollingdale said he was familiar with the music the groups would present and was impressed with its quality. “Shades of Harmony,” he said, would appeal to people of all age groups.

“I tried to come up with groups that would entertain everyone from young people all the way up to older groups. The first group I came up with was “Shades of Harmony”…. The group is made up of a father and his children and they specialize in everything from the golden years of rock to music from the Beach Boys and Beatles,” he said.

To complement “Shades of Harmony” and for the younger set, Hollingdale chose Rory Merrill and Johnny Johnson. “These two guys are tremendous and they agreed to alternate with `Shades of Harmony.”‘ he said.

The program will last three hours and in case of rain the show will be moved to the Calais Middle School.

Hollingdale said if the concert was a success it could become a regular event during the International Festival.

“If there is a good turnout; if we see people are interested and sitting out and socializing with their friends and neighbors, we will build on that…. I encourage parents to bring their children…. I think people are going to love it,” he said.