Live concerts at Tuscora Park back with full schedule
RTY Summer Showcase volunteer Joe Croft
The RTY Summer Showcase series of live concerts at Tuscora Park is set to return for 2021 with a full schedule of bands ready to perform after last summer’s forced year off. The schedule began over the Memorial Day weekend with appearances by the New Philadelphia Jazz and Steel Drum Band and the Ron Retzer Trio.
The showcase schedule, a local mainstay for the past 23 years, was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions prohibiting such public gatherings.
“It has been a real challenge this year,” RTY Summer Showcase volunteer Joe Croft said. “We have just in the last few days lined up all our sponsors for the season. We got a late start due to keeping up with changing restrictions.”
It only became apparent the season would be a go within the last month, Croft said, and everyone got to work to make things happen with a short turnaround.
Though the season is in place and set, the park will seek the cooperation of concert attendees in keeping everyone safe and comfortable.
“It’s not so much about what is required as much as what is requested,“ Croft said. “Those who are not fully vaccinated and certainly those with a compromised immune system should still plan to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. We want to keep everyone safe and respect each other’s space.”
All of the concerts are free, with funding provided by sponsors and contributions. “It also takes a lot of volunteers to make this happen, and they are people who want to make sure the concert series continues. We want it to continue to grow and get a little better each year. It’s a great tradition,” Croft said.
Financial support also comes from program advertising, patron listings and community donations from individuals.
Croft handles most of the booking and gathers sponsors for the season with assistance from his wife and fellow volunteer, Mindy. Travis Green handles sound duties for the concerts, and Dale Denham handles selling program advertising. The small group of volunteers covers most of the work of the Summer Showcase series.
“We couldn’t do this without RTY and our sponsors and volunteers,” Croft said.
Missing this year are the Dominic Greco Band and Jericho, who have not had the chance to gather to rehearse. Croft expects the popular groups will return in 2022.
New this year to the slate of performers is Adam Calvert for Father’s Day on June 20. “That’s kind of a powerhouse country act,” Croft said. “We have a new band for Aug. 15 called Fleetwood Gold, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band which we understand is really fantastic. We think we have a great season planned, and we’re pleased to be able to offer the concert series again this summer.”
Scheduled shows and their sponsors include:
—June 6: Dover High School Steel Drum and Jazz Band, sponsored by New Philadelphia Rotary Club and RTY.
—June 13: Ed’s Acoustic Thingy, sponsored by Hans Place.
—June 20: Adam Calvert, sponsored by Kennedy Insurance.
—June 27: Tequila Mary, sponsored by WBTC Radio.
—July 11: An Evening of Barbershop, sponsored by Geib Funeral Homes, Cronebaugh Auction Service and Dr. Kurt Green.
—July 18: Spicy Rhyme, sponsored by Tuscarawas County Public Library and Park Village Healthcare.
—July 25: Jerome James and Friends, sponsored by Finnicum Insurance and Barnett Realty.
—Aug. 1: Trumpet in the Land Singers, sponsored by Park Village Healthcare.
—Aug. 8: The Michelle Robinson Band, sponsored by WTUZ Radio.
—Aug. 9: Community Night of Worship, sponsored by The Purpose Shop, The Ezekiel Project, Ascent Financial, Burning River Church and Synergy Sound.
—Aug. 15: Fleetwood Gold, sponsored by WJER Radio and Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union.
—Aug. 22: Randy Velez, sponsored by Cox Insurance.
—Aug. 29: The McCartney Project, sponsored by CBS Commercial & Savings Bank.
—Sept. 4: LaFlavour, sponsored by McInturf Realty, Pioneer 360 and Allied Engineering.
—Sept. 5: Tuscarawas Philharmonic, sponsored by Kimble Foundation, Mary Renkert Wendling Foundation and RTY.
All shows will be from 7-9 p.m., except Aug. 9, which will run from 6:30-9 p.m.
Park concessions will be open for all shows.