WEST CHESTER

'Indicator of a return to normalcy': West Chester concert series return as pandemic slows

Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer Contributor
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WEST CHESTER TWP. – Three of the summer’s most popular free summer outdoor music concert events are returning to West Chester Township after a one-year absence.

West Chester Township’s Thursday night Takeover concert series returns June 24 and the Saturday night Keehner Park Concert Series begins June 26.

MetroParks of Butler County is bringing back its Wednesday night Hump Day concerts at Voice of America MetroPark.

“I think it’s an indicator of a return to normalcy. People love to get out. We’re going ahead full speed,’’ said Trustee Mark Welch.

The Hump Day concerts run from 7-9 p.m. at VOA Park, 7850 VOA Park Dr., off Cox Road. It opens Thursday with a performance by the Michelle Robinson Band. The band plays country with a mix of pop/rock.

The Thursday night series runs from 6-9 p.m., at the clock tower on The Square at Union Centre, 9285 Centre Pointe Dr. Kicking off the series this week is Louisville-based Thurnderstruck, an AC/DC tribute band.

The West Chester Symphony Orchestra opens the Keehner Park Concert Series, which runs from 7-9 p.m., at the park’s amphitheater, 7211 Barrett Road this Saturday.

Last year all three concert series were canceled due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. With those restrictions easing, township and MetroParks employees were able to schedule performers, but started a few weeks later than usual.

“I’ve always been an advocate of mask by choice. (But) as a government jurisdiction and entity we are compelled to honor these health mandates,” Welch said.

Those attending any of the concert series will be asked to keep their distance from those not in their families and to wash their hands regularly, said Drew Reeder, the township’s public information coordinator.

“We are still going off what the state tells us. We’ll try to maintain the same atmosphere we have in past summers – just being careful,” Reeder said.

“If you’re in an indoor space (restroom) you might put a mask on.”

Many of this year’s performers had been scheduled for last year and were happy to return, said Monica Dexter, the township’s community outreach coordinator.

“All the bands were pretty eager to return,’’ Dexter said. “We’ll have to be more flexible with set up and it might (look) a little different than last year.”

Hump Day performers:

  • June 24: Michelle Robinson Band
  • June 30: McCartney Project with Vinyl Sunshine
  • July 7: Model Behavior
  • July 14: Ryan Broshear
  • July 21: Dat Band
  • July 28: Stagger Lee
  • Aug. 4: Sunburners
  • Aug. 11: Amy Newhart
  • Aug. 18: Davan
  • Aug. 25: Saffire Express
  • Takeover performers:
  • June 24: Thunderstruck: America’s AC/DC Tribute Band
  • July 1: 90 Proof Twang
  • July 8: The Naked Karate Girls
  • July 15: Pandora Effect
  • July 22: 3 Piece Revival
  • July 29: Gee, Your Band Smells Terrific
  • Aug. 5: Don’t Tell Steve
  • Aug. 12: SWAGG
  • Aug. 19: The Whammies
  • Aug. 26: Zack Attack
  • Keehner Park performers:
  • June 26: West Chester Symphony Orchestra
  • July 10: Shakespeare in the Park: Romeo and Juliet
  • July 17: Jump ‘n’ Jive Big Band
  • July 24: Cincinnati Brass Band
  • July 31: The Gamut
  • Aug. 7: Fillmore Philharmonic Brass Band
  • Aug. 14: Hauer Swing Band
  • Aug. 21: The Remains
  • Aug. 28: BlueStone Ivory
  • Sept. 6: West Chester Symphony Orchestra
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