For the first time ever, the Liverpool Is The Place Committee has booked a national act to appear as part of its summer concert series at Johnson Park.
Orleans will perform its hit songs such as “Still the One” and “Dance with Me” at 7 p.m. Monday June 20, at the park’s amphitheater. In case of rain, the concert will be staged at the Liverpool Community Church auditorium (the former Zogg School) at the corner of Fourth and Hickory streets.
Like all LITP concerts, the performance by Orleans here is free.
Formed in 1972 in Woodstock, Orleans scored a series of Top 40 hits in the mid-1970s beginning with “Let There Be Music” and continuing with “Dance with Me.” The band’s biggest hit was the buoyant “Still the One,” released in 1976.
Longtime LITP program director Mike Casale booked Orleans date.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I mean we have a great concert series – all different kinds of music by local artists – but a booking like Orleans just makes our concert series even better.”
In 2009 the Syracuse New Times nominated the LITP summer music program for Best Outdoor Concert Series along with such prestigious events as the Syracuse Jazz Festival, the Skaneateles Festival and the Inner Harbor Concert Series.
For the past two decades LITP has presented 24 free concerts annually at the park. This year the series runs on Monday and Wednesday evenings from June 6 through Aug. 24.
Casale became friends with Orleans band members Larry and Lance Hoppen when he hired them in the fall of 2009 to play a benefit concert at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. That performance raised $7,500 for the Spina Bifida Center at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.
“The June 20 show at Johnson Park will be even better because it’ll feature the original Orleans trio,” Casale said. “Larry and Lance Hoppen will be joined by co-founder John Hall.”
A successful songwriter, Hall is also a successful politician. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 19th congressional district and served in Congress from 2007 to 2011.
In case of rain, Orleans will perform that evening at the Liverpool Community Church, the former Zogg School, at the corner of Hickory and Fourth streets. The Orleans concert here is co-sponsored by the new Limp Lizard Lounge at 201 First St., and by the Friends of Orleans, a consortium of band supporters including Casale.
“We’re still seeking sponsorship for the balance of our concert season,” said LITP Chairwoman Colleen Gunnip. Several large ensembles such as the Bear Cat Jass Band and Salsa son Timba have been hired this year and still need financial support.
To donate, contact Gunnip at [email protected], or call the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce at 457-3895.
