MANSFIELD, Ohio – The American Federation of Musicians Local 159 will provide again this summer a series of public concerts in Mansfield, Shelby, Crestline, Bellville, Galion, and Ashland. The series features professional groups playing a wide range of music.
These free family friendly concerts will be held at the Mansfield Central Park Gazebo as well as Kingwood Center.
The Mansfield Concerts are co-sponsored by The Russell and Mary Gimbel Foundation, The Music Performance Trust Fund, and locally by the office of Dr. James Saltzgiver DDS, Snyder Funeral Homes, and Zara Construction. Contributors are Milliron Industries, RBC Incorporated, Richland Bank, Kingwood Center, and the City of Mansfield.
The concerts begin on June 25 with the Ribticklers, under the direction of Ralph Thauvette, bringing their blend of Dixieland and Swing styling to the Mansfield Central Park Gazebo at 7 p.m.
July 2, the American Federation of Musicians Local 159 Concert Band under the direction of Steve Taylor will open the Kingwood Center series in the Courtyard starting at 7:30 p.m.. From show tunes to pop and patriotic music, marches and classic concert band literature, everyone will recognize and enjoy their favorite melody.
July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Paul Martin brings his band Stardust to Kingwood Center. Stardust plays the music of the 1930s-50s, including hits from the Big Band Era as well as popular jazz standards.
The American Federation of Musicians Local 159 Big Jazz Band roars into town on July 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Kingwood. Featuring a wide range of music from jazz standards to pop, rock, funk, and blues there is something for everyone. Dan Adams fronts the AFM Big Jazz Band.
July 23 the Percy Hall Dance Orchestra returns to the Courtyard at Kingwood. This icon of Mansfield brings his own original selections in addition to jazz standards and music from the Great American Songbook. This is truly a one of a kind group.
Paradigm finishes up the Mansfield Series on July 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Courtyard at Kingwood Center. Steve Brown leads this band that specializes in music of the 50s–70s rock and roll, jazz and blues.
On street parking is available around the Mansfield Central Park Gazebo. Parking is free after 7 p.m. at Kingwood Center and the entrance is off Trimble Road.
Repeat performances can be heard of these groups on Wednesdays at Seltzer Park in Shelby and at the Downtown Gazebo in Crestline. Additional performances by The AFM Local 159 Big Jazz and Concert Bands, along with the Hamburger Five Brass Quintet, will have performances in Bellville on June 4, July 25, and August 6.
The Big Jazz Band will perform in Ashland at the Band Shell on July 19 while the Percy Hall Dance Orchestra will perform in Galion at the Heise Park Bandshell on June 23 at 7 p.m.
For additional details, visit afmlocal159.org. There residents can also sign up on the Local 159 mailing list to be kept up to date of any changes to the schedule. To reach Local 159 by phone call 419-884-1838. These concerts are directly coordinated by the American Federation of Musicians
