Saturday, August 24, 2013

August 23, 2013 - Our Lady of Lourdes Church Festival Utica NY

 This was our third time we’ve played a concert at Our Lady of Lourdes for their annual Church Bazaar. We played a two-hour concert during their famous Friday night fish fry.

We had a large band – 38 musicians including 17 reeds, 17 brass, and 4 percussionists, which supplied a full, rich sound.
The weather could not have been finer – cool and clear as the sun went down.

The audience was packed – sitting at picnic tables and on lawn chairs – some just milling around the grounds.
Although the Church has many Italian Parishioners – it is not considered an Italian Parish. Our director, Arlene, plans the concert program to include popular Italian songs such as themes from “Summertime in Venice”, “La Strada” and “Anema e Core” along with old time American favorites such as “East Side/West Side”, “Bicycle Built for Two”, and “The Band Played On”. All are perfect selections for a summer’s eve concert.


We ended the evening with patriotic selections including “The Stars and Stripes Forever” with an excellent piccolo duet by Barb Seaton and Varnum Harris.


There is something for everyone at Our Lady of Lourdes Festival – numerous food tents, a rummage sale, rides, games and lots of “LIVE” music.

Thank you Lourdes, for having us once again.
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VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

Friday, August 23, 2013

August 16, 2013 - Feast of the Assumption Mechanicville, NY

La Banda Rossa took to the road to play an evening concert in Mechanicville, NY on Friday, August 16. After our 2 hour ride the bus dropped us off right at the door to the Parish Center.

In past years we have played in afternoon processions followed by an evening concert for the Assunta Society for the Feast of the Assumption. However this year the Parish decided not to have a Grand Procession but instead held a festival in the parking lot of the Parish Center.

Because there was a DJ playing amplified music outside we were invited to perform inside.

At one time the Parish Center was a school and anyone who ever went to a Parochial school would have felt like they took a step back in time. We entered the gym – the basketball nets lifted up, markings on the hardwood floor, folding chairs setup in neat rows facing the stage.

In Catholic schools the gyms and auditoriums shared the same space.

The Red Band set up on stage and started the concert with the playing of both the American and Italian National Anthems.

The audience grew quite rapidly as they entered the room from the outdoor festival area.

Our interlocutor, Pat Santacroce, positioned himself on the floor right in front of the 1st row of seats - putting his charm as close to the audience as possible. He delighted and enchanted them with his stories.
Usually when we give a concert the audience is enjoying themselves – sitting outside, eating the food offered at the venue, talking with friends, singing along with the band. But this time they came to hear the band. With no distractions from the outside noise (usually food vendors, games, and rides) they focused on the music and had a great time.

The room filled up and they sang, tapped their toes, and danced. The crowd exploded when we played the Beer Barrel Polka – they danced and jumped – clapping and cheering!


It was a memorable night in Mechanicville.

After the concert and we boarded the bus for home – just as we started to drive away – a volley of fireworks exploded in the sky

VIVA TO OUR FRIENDS IN MECHANICVILLE!!
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VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

Monday, August 12, 2013

August 10, 2013 - Saint Marianne Street Dedication Utica, NY

Saint Marianne Cope is the home Saint of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church in Utica, NY.

La Banda Rossa was lined up on the sidewalk and ready to perform as the 4:00pm Mass ended and the parishioners exited the Church.

We started with Marcia Reale followed by a stirring march as we played in one of our shortest processions ever.

We followed Father Dellos and his congregation from the Church steps to the corner of Columbia Street and Varick Street (the last few moments this portion of the street would have this name).
 



The street sign was draped with a royal blue cloth and there was a spray of flowers tied to the pole.






A podium was setup at the curb along with television cameras as everyone gathered around to watch Utica’s Mayor Palmieri officially proclaim a name change of one block of Varick Street to Saint Marianne Way.

He then pulled the ribbon and the cloth fell away revealing the new sign as cheers went up from the crowd.

Father Dellos then blessed the new sign with Holy Water as he prayed that anyone who walked or drove down the new way would be blessed by Saint Marianne.
He then instructed everyone to follow La Banda Rossa to the Church parking lot for an evening of food, music, and fun.

Playing the Mother Marianne Hymn as we processed down the street – La Banda Rossa became the very first to officially walk down Saint Marianne Way.

We marched to the front of the bandstand and Arlene conducted our Italian band for a few more songs before turning the festivities over to Irish dancers, German Edelweiss dancers, and the Blues Brothers – making for a very ethnic evening.
August 9 marked the 95th anniversary of Saint Marianne Cope’s death in 1918 in Hawaii.
 VIVA SAINT MARIANNE!!
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VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!