Brewster Music Festival Concert Rocks Wells Park and Celebrates Community and the Arts

Music, Art, Culture, Community, and the beginning of summer were celebrated this past Saturday, June 9^th as the Cultural Arts Coalition presented the Second Annual Brewster Music Festival. Over the course of the day, approximately 1,000 people came to enjoy the day at Wells Park. 

Local bands included The Libertine Project, Soul Proprietors, Special Sauce and The Fresh Paint with solo artists Frank Funigiello, Jr. and Jeffrey Marano. In addition the World Heritage Cultural Center's Anindita Nanda and her students presented a form of Indian classical Dance called "Odissi Dance"  that stunned the crowd.

Supporting the performers was sound technician, Kevin Bayersdorfer. The sound was spectacular and his technical prowess and state-of-the-art equipment provided the perfect balance to the stellar sounds of the musicians. You know when a sound technician is good when no one even realizes there is someone running sound.

Brewster High School student, Annie Sullivan opened the event with a flawless, traditional rendition of the National Anthem. Putnam County Executive, Mary Ellen Odell, welcomed everyone to Putnam County and the beautiful Wells Park. She applauded the first responders and the community for supporting each other through the aftermath of the recent storms and tornadoes. An event like the Brewster Music Festival was a perfect way to celebrate our community.

In addition to the amazing performances, festivalgoers were treated to a variety of food, vendors, children’s activities, and information from local businesses and community organizations. In keeping with the theme of celebrating arts and culture in our community, local artist Ed Dabrowski was creating a work of art onsite. He also encouraged people to help work on painting a ladder that will be used as a decorative but functional work of art to be place in the Garden Around the Corner at 67 Main Street.

The sense of comradely and friendship permeated the air. People were thrilled to be outside enjoying the beauty of Wells Park. It was resident Peter Benfield’s second time attending the festival. “It’s nice to see old friends,” explains Peter, “and make some new ones.”

Although the park was filled with many locals, people came from all over NY and CT. Bonnie from Rockland County stated, “It is wonderful to see the community come out to share their passion for music, art and culture. It’s for every generation. We thought Music! Outdoors! FREE! What more could you ask for! It’s wonderful!” A couple traveled up from Paramus, NJ, “I was sitting at home looking for something to do. I Googled ‘free music’ and Brewster Music Festival was the first thing that came up. So I said to the wife ‘this looks interesting let’s go.’ So we packed a few things and here we are!” Another couple from Hartsdale saw the signs on Metro-North and said, “We weren’t sure what to expect but we figured it is free let’s take the trip! We were glad we did. It’s fantastic and everyone is so friendly.”

Coordinators of the event were Judy Marano, Paul Toscano, Margaret Carey & Frank Funigiello. They wish to thank their generous sponsors: Amedeo, Marano & Hufnagel; Confident Home; Cartwright & Daughters; Patterson Rotary; Apple Moms HV; and Brewster HamletHub.

The Brewster Music Festival also raises awareness for the Cultural Arts Coalition’s restoration efforts for the Old Town Hall Theater. If you were unable to attend, please consider making a donation on their site at www.CulturalArtCo.com. Join their mailing list to keep informed of their other events including Concerts Around the Corner, the Brewster Fall Festival and more.

For more photos, visit our Facebook Album.

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Photo credit: Brewster HamletHub Editors, Margaret and Peter Carey 

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