By Russ Tarby

Contributing Writer

Every summer villagers and visitors alike flock to Johnson Park twice a week to enjoy free outdoor concerts.

The entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Monday, June 6, with music by student jazz ensembles from the Liverpool Central School District. The concert series concludes with the folk duo Two Feet Short, on Aug. 24.

On Monday, June 13, the park will rock to the sounds of Dr. Killdean, a hard-driving blues band led by southpaw guitarist Chuck Dean (see full schedule side-bar). This year, the 24 presentations will feature a wide variety of musical styles, and a stage play – Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” – will be performed at the park by The Redhouse on July 6.

Since 1985 when the park’s amphitheater was constructed, the Liverpool is The Place Committee has staged more than 700 concerts there. The committee, chaired for the past 13 years by Colleen Gunnip, sells popcorn, soda and coffee at the concerts, which routinely draw more than 400 music lovers.

Businesses interested in sponsoring a concert this year should contact Gunnip at [email protected].

“Without the financial support of the local businesses in our community, this concert series would not be possible,” Gunnip said.

The LITP Committee is a sub-committee of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

Dozens of Liverpool-area musician and singers will be showcased. The June 15 concert features the Liverpool Community Chorus under the direction of John Miller.

The Liverpool Community Concert Band will perform patriotic tunes on July 4.

Liverpool High School alumna Melissa Gardiner brings her brass band, Second Line Syracuse, to the park in June 27, and legendary Liverpool rock’n’roller Jan Fetterly returns July 27, playing drums for The Other Guise.

The Strangers, a classic rock band including Galeville keyboardist Bob Lindberg, takes the stage on July 11, and Galeville guitarist Ron Spencer fronts his blues band on Aug. 10.