Summer Concerts Move from the Common to Mudge Way Campus

By Kim Siebert MacPhail

Director of Recreation Amy Hamilton announced today that the summer concerts traditionally held on the Town Common will move this year to the Mudge Way campus, adjacent to the Town Center (the former Center School) and the playground.

“This location is the ultimate family activity location in Bedford,” Hamilton said. “The concert venue is surrounded by a playground, outdoor basketball courts, outdoor tennis courts, a walking track, a skate park and numerous athletic fields.”

Hamilton cited safety concerns as the top reason for moving the concerts off the Common and away from the Great Road, saying that the Mudge Way campus provides greater protection for children from high-volume traffic. Additionally, Hamilton said that some of the past entertainers expressed discomfort with using electric instruments and microphones while standing directly on grass. The new location will provide a slightly raised “stage” area with a tar surface for the performers as well as a generous area for seating on the lawn.  Parking is ample and restrooms are more readily available at the Town campus than at the Common.

“The move also meshes nicely with the Recreation Commission’s vision of the Town campus as a recreation center,” Hamilton said. “Having the concerts there draws more awareness and attention to the area and it’s more child-friendly with a better defined stage that still allows the performers to interact with the crowd.”

This summer’s concerts will begin on July 4 and continue every Thursday through the beginning of August. As in the past, it is expected that POMS will sell refreshments such as cold drinks and popcorn.

Feedback about the change of location is welcome after the end of the concert series. To comment, contact a member of the Recreation Commission as listed here: https://www.town.bedford.ma.us/index.php/committees/committees-q-z/recreation-commission or contact Hamilton at the Recreation office: 781-275-1392.

This summer’s concerts are:

• July 4 at 5 pm: Dan Clark, The Singing Trooper [NOTE EARLIER START TIME] – National anthems, military tributes, patriotic and Broadway tunes, opera, Elvis and more! www.thesingingtrooper.com
• July 11 at 7 pm: Tim Gartland – Contemporary Blues featuring Bedford’s own harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter Tim Gartland. www.timgartland.com
• July 18 at7 pm: Mike Tarara Band – Eclectic mix of covers ranging from the 60’s to today and thoughtful original music with rock, country and alternative influences. www.miketarara.com
• July 25 at 7 pm: Soul of Boston – Hot R&B for your soul, featuring Bedford’s own Dave Ellis. www.soulofboston.com
• August 1 at 7 pm: The Shana Stack Band – Top 40 Country and original music featuring multi-national award winning vocalist Shana Stack. www.shanastack.com

Images from the August 16, 2012 Concert on the Common