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Steubenville kicks off fort concert series Thursday evening

Thursday evenings during the summer in Steubenville mean large crowds at the Berkman Amphitheater at Historic Fort Steuben. This year’s installment of the summer concerts kicks off Thursday with the Marcels. — Staff photo

STEUBENVILLE — The 11th-annual summer concert series will kick off Thursday with the Marcels taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkman Amphitheater.

And Judy Bratten and Jerry Barilla will make sure the grass is cut, the seats are clean and the audience will be ready for an evening of doo-wop entertainment.

“The crowds have grown in numbers over the years and I am very appreciative of the support we have received not only from the Steubenville community, but from communities up and down the Ohio River. Thursday night has become entertainment night in downtown Steubenville and we are anticipating another great year,” said Barilla, president of the Old Fort Steuben Project board of trustees.

Barilla and Judy Bratten, executive director of the Historic Fort Steuben, weren’t sure what to expect 10 years ago when they announced a series of weekly concerts.

“We had no idea what would happen. We had never done anything like that before. We really didn’t know if it would be successful or not. These concerts have become an entertainment staple of the community and are so appreciated,” noted Bratten.

“The community recognizes all of the work that goes into planning and producing these concerts and has shown its support when we pass the bucket every Thursday evening. It is not just music and entertainment offered here. There is a sense of camaraderie. People seeing friends and having conversations. That is why the amphitheater is so nice. You can step back and have a conversation and not disturb other people. This has become a social event for many people,” Bratten explained.

She noted the amphitheater has seating for 300 visitors, “but people are also allowed to bring blankets and lawn chairs. We can seat another 500 patrons after the regular seats are filled,” Bratten said.

“When we were planning that first year we met with the City Police Department to discuss security for the concerts. But we have never had a problem at our events. The crowds find a seat or bring their own lawn chairs and just sit back to enjoy the music. And we see all ages here as well as people from all walks of life. Thursday evenings are such an uplifting experience for the people at the concerts as well as Steubenville,” Barilla said.

“I have also been thrilled to see children dancing to the music during the concerts. We have become a social event during the summer in Steubenville,” Barilla said.

According to Bratten, the summer concerts have filled a need in the community.

“The concerts are no longer a Fort Steuben event. They are now a community event that brings people back to the downtown. The concerts bring back memories of past years and hope for what can be here again,” observed Bratten.

All of the summer concerts start at 6:30 p.m.

The opening concert on Thursday will feature the Marcels with its doo-wop sound.

June 1 will be swing and blues night featuring Blue Lunch, and the Ron Retzer Trio returns to the Berkman Amphitheater stage on June 8 to offer a variety of songs and styles. Hit Play will also perform that evening.

The Dean Martin Tribute Show takes center stage on June 15 as the community gets ready to celebrate Dean Martin’s 100th birthday. Martin’s famous melodies will be performed by Russ Loniello, Elvis Jr., the Sgro Brothers, Allen Karl, Donna Cunningham and Rose Angelica.

It will be country, old and new, on June 22 when Bill Gorby and the Musical Mercenaries perform an eclectic array of American music with roots in folk, bluegrass, and old time country. Joe Zelek, an Ohio Valley and Jamboree in the Hills favorite, also will perform that evening.

On June 24 there will be a special performance at 7 p.m. by the U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors. Billed as America’s Big Band, the Jazz Ambassadors is the official touring big band of the Army.

There will be a Fab Four Tribute on June 29 when Beatlemania Magic is on the Berkman stage. Beatlemania Magic, the Beatles Tribute Band, recreates the “magic” of Beatlemania from the 1964 Ed Sullivan and touring look, to the experimental Sergeant Pepper era and finally the look of Abbey Road before the breakup of the band.

Roz and Lynn will headline Patriotic Night on July 6. They are classic oldies entertainers from Dillonvale who have been performing together since 1991. The Tri-State Community Band, a 45-piece ensemble includes members from Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania playing brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, also will perform that evening

Vanessa Campagna opens the classic rock and pop evening July 13, and Jeff Jimerson and Airborne will be on the stage following Campagna. Jimerson is the primary national anthem singer for the Pittsburgh Penguins and has also performed for the Steelers and Pirates.

Countrified Country featuring the Stickers is set for July 20.

The Stickers, from Pennsylvania, are the three Wodarek brothers with a love and passion for music.

US3 The Essence will bring the sound of funk and rock to Steubenville on July 27. Also that night No Bad Juju will return to the Berkman Amphitheater with its Pop repertoire.

Golden oldies night will be on Aug. 3 with Dj’ Vu performing the classic sounds of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Up next that evening will be the seven piece R&B/soul/oldies band Legend, featuring brass, guitar, percussion and four lead vocalists who perform classic harmonies.

Guests can experience the 1960s on Aug. 10 with Aftermath, which delivers the sights and sounds of the ’60s with period-correct costuming.

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