Begins at 6:30 p.m. July 13 in Village Park
By: Lacey Korevec
Whether you’re a music lover or just love being outdoors on a warm summer afternoon, the Cranbury Recreation Department is giving residents something to dance and sing about in July and August.
On July 13, residents can take a stroll to Village Park to enjoy the first of four concerts that make up the department’s Summer Concert Series, a three-year tradition that offers community members free, family-friendly, musical entertainment for four consecutive weeks in the summer.
Recreation Director Ken Jacobs said Tuesday this year’s concerts offer a nice mix of music genres.
"We’ll have one kids entertainer," he said. "We do the vintage concert and that one’s kind of geared toward the seniors. Then we have a classic rock and we’re doing a country one this year. We try to hit all the different types so that all the different music lovers can come out."
The series kicks off at 6:30 p.m. July 13 in Village Park, where Stump, winners of this year’s Battle of the Bands will perform grunge, rock and bluegrass music The band is made up of local musicians Kyle Walsh, Luke Brunskill and Princeton resident Andrew Yedlin. At 7 p.m., the headlining group, The Acoustaholics, will take the stage. The three-piece band will perform covers by artists such as Alanis Morissette, Steve Miller Band, Janis Joplin, Dave Matthews and Michelle Branch.
On July 20, the party is indoors. From 3 to 5 p.m., in the Cranbury School auditorium, residents can catch local musician Ken Lelan, of Titusville, perform ragtime and swing from the ’20s, ’30s ’40s on restored, vintage guitars.
"I’ve heard it’s a very interesting concert because he also describes the vintage acoustic guitars he’s playing," Mr. Jacobs said.
The Recreation Department expects residents to find themselves dancing in Village Park on July 27 at 7 p.m. when country cover-band Tequila Rose performs new country hits along with some old classics, Mr. Jacobs said. This is the first year country music has been included in the series, he said.
"At our commission meetings, we discussed it and they said, ‘Let’s try country,’ " he said. "And maybe next year, we’ll try to do something with country line dancing. I’m sure people will be dancing to this."
On Aug. 3, Yosi, a children’s performer, will take the stage at 7 p.m. to sing original and classic kids songs.
"He’s a real crowd-pleaser," Mr. Jacobs said. "I know him. I’ve seen him play and he gets the kids up and moving."
Mr. Jacobs said everyone should take advantage of the free performances. He said the department spends approximately $2,000 on the series each year.
"It’s free entertainment within your township," he said. "What more could you ask for really? It’s a great setting, good performers and it’s free. You can bring the whole family out."
Residents can bring chairs or blankets to the outdoor events, Mr. Jacobs said. The bands are set to perform by the gazebo.
"The lake is in the background," he said. "People are watching the music. It’s a very tranquil setting."

