Local concert kicks off summertime music series

Music filled the air in the Woodward Opera House on Friday. And it marked the beginning of a summer full of fun, food and music along East High Street in Mount Vernon.

The Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance presented “Summer Songs: Music From the Front Porch” at the opera house, allowing guests the opportunity to hear some of the best local musicians and singers while raising money for the summer concert series.

“This is more than just a concert. It’s a celebration of local talent, which most of you are aware of; local spirit and music to bring people together,” said Marty Bell, master of ceremonies for the event. “You’re going to hear from an incredible lineup of musicians — friends, neighbors, familiar faces, who have generously come together tonight to share their gifts for a great cause.”

The Front Porch Summer Concert Series is heading into its fourth season of delighting residents along East High Street during June, July and August. The idea of showcasing local talent on the front porches of historic residences grabbed a hold of residents, who line up their chairs up and down the street to listen to what has become six miniature concerts once each month.

The first official concert in the series will be Friday, June 19, from 6-9 p.m. between the 500 and 800 blocks of East High Street. The lineup hasn’t been set yet, but residents can expect three small concerts at six different locations along the street.

Friday night’s kickoff concert helped raise funds for the summer event. Besides the music, there was a silent auction with prizes such as golf, tickets to various other concerts, and gift cards to restaurants and other attractions.

“It’s a silent auction, but there’s nothing quiet about winning. So go make some noise with those bids,” Bell encouraged the audience. “Simply by being here tonight, you are all helping to keep music alive in our community.”

While the audience was encouraged to continue bidding for those prizes, it was the music they were there to hear.

The Side Effects, Six Miles to Nellie, RM201, Fat Tuesday and individuals such as Sarah Goslee Reed, Serra Austin, Ethan Kellner, Les Harmeyer, Eric Snyder, Brad Oviatt and Leif Wiggand were among the many musicians on hand that had the audience tapping their feet and clapping their hands.

The bands and singers belted out tunes from all genres — from McGuffey Lane and Derek and the Dominos to Linda Ronstadt and Kansas. The concert wrapped up with a shoutout to Tina Turner with “Proud Mary” by Courtney DeCosky and the Kenyon Dancers and a special performance of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” by all the performers.