Woodbridge unveils summer concert lineup

By AMY ROSEN

While many towns present summer concerts on a weekly basis, Woodbridge residents and visitors can find free shows several days of the week.

The Woodbridge Township Recreation Department has announced its line-up for the Mayor’s Summer Concert Series planned for Mondays and Rockin’ Tuesdays. Both series will be held at Woodbridge High School, 25 Samuel Lupo Place.

In addition, Woodbridge Wednesdays and Local Band Thursdays will be held at Parker Press Park, 400 Rahway Ave.

“This year, we are giving our Mayor’s Summer Concert Series a new twist,” Assistant Recreation Director Brian Molnar said. “We will be holding nine concerts on Mondays, which will be dedicated to the oldies.”

The series will kick off on June 30 with “Broadway at Your Doorstep.” Audience members will hear hits from Broadway musicals from Broadway stars themselves.

The Bronx Wanderers will perform on July 7 and The Duprees will return on July 14, followed by Jersey Sound on July 21 and The Cameos on July 28.

Molnar said he was excited to bring the New York Rat Pack to Woodbridge for the first time on Aug. 4.

Emil Stucchio and The Classics will take the stage on Aug. 11 and The Fabulous Greaseband will perform on Aug. 18. The Infernos will return to end the series on Aug. 25.

Rockin’ Tuesdays will be dedicated to rock tribute bands.

CSN Band will present the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on July 8, followed by Hotel California, a salute to the Eagles on July 15. Bell Bottom Blues, an Eric Clapton tribute band, will perform on July 22, and The BStreetBand will perform a tribute featuring the music of Bruce Springsteen on July 29. Introduction-The Chicago Experience will perform the music of the band Chicago on Aug. 5. The Guthrie Brothers, a Simon & Garfunkel tribute, will take the stage on Aug. 12, followed by Beatles Faux Sale on Aug. 19. Tusk will finish out the series on Aug. 26 with the music of Fleetwood Mac.

The free events above are sponsored by Sansone Auto Mall, Saker ShopRite and Woodbridge Center.

“Every Wednesday, we will once again be presenting our Woodbridge Wednesday Concert series at Parker Press located in Woodbridge,” Molnar said. “This series offers a broad range of music, and the series is still in the planning stages.”

Woodbridge Wednesdays concerts are sponsored by Bank of Woodbridge and Kensington Gardens. The concerts are held during the weekly Farmers Market while people shop at Parker Press Park.

Local Band Thursdays will be presented at Parker Press Park this summer for the very first time.

“We will have 10 shows starting on June 19,” Molnar said. “All bands have a connection to Woodbridge.” Local bands slated to play include Smoke & Mirrors on June 19, Saloonatics on June 26, Seven Stone on July 10, Love Revolution on July 17, Smokehouse on July 24, Kevin & Carl on July 31, Undercover on Aug. 7, Pretty Baby on Aug. 14, 9 South on Aug. 21, and Marty and The Martians on Aug. 28.

All concerts are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. Residents are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to help the local food bank. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

For more information, contact the Woodbridge Township Recreation Department at 732-596-4047.