Concert series sees most successful year ever

by JAMES STURDIVANT

Despite a rainy summer, this year’s Pastorius Park concert series was the best-attended in the 56-year history of the program, CHCA Social Division vice-president Tia Burke told the group’s executive committee last week.

A total of 5,855 people attended the 10 CHCA-sponsored events, Burke reported. The concerts are held Wednesdays in June, July and August.

“Our biggest concert was over 1,600 people, which was Solas. We had three other concerts where there were more than 800 people. We’ve never had that many people at that many concerts before,” Burke said.

Rains forced concerts indoors on three occasions and skies threatened during nearly every other show.

“Only two nights had perfect weather, for the Allentown Band and Amos Lee … we had record attendance despite the worst weather in history,” Burke told the committee.

Burke ascribes the success to improved music programming and marketing.

“There was a different type of music, so each week there was a new reason for people to come out,” she said.

Burke said that assistance in choosing bands came from WXPN DJ and Mt. Airy resident David Dye, who also provided a publicity boost by mentioning the appearance of popular Irish ensemble Solas on his radio show. Marketing changes included a new logo designed by Mt. Airy graphic designer Ed Bednow and increased efforts to promote the concerts outside the immediate area in the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News.

Shows also benefited from the addition of a stage borrowed from East and West Mount Airy Neighbors and the purchase of new microphones for the PA system. Burke told the committee that she is working on securing a grant from the Pennsylvania State Department of Community and Economic Development that would allow for further upgrades to the sound system and the purchase of chairs and lamps.

Burke was praised by the committee for breathing new life into a summer tradition that for many represents the public face of the community association.

“It is so wonderful to have these free concerts that get people of all socioeconomic levels out under the stars with their blankets and picnic lunches. I truly believe that this is us at our best,” CHCA president Maxine Dornemann said.