Tompkins Weekly

Newfield’s inaugural music series takes off at Mill Park



By Rob Montana
Tompkins Weekly

With less than 10 minutes to go before the first show in Newfield’s Music Series at Mill Park, there were about 15 people making themselves comfortable and getting ready to listen to the musical stylings of TOiVO.
“I was hoping for 100 people, to get to triple digits in attendance,” said Joe Tompkins, one member of the group of people who helped launch the series.

He got his wish as, by the time the band was ready to play, there were around 150 at the park.
“They just poured in,” Tompkins said.

His contributions have included booking the bands and finding food vendors for the first year of the series, as well as working on promotion and social media.
“The first concert went great, it was a beautiful day and we really couldn’t believe everything worked so well,” Tompkins said. “It was a nice mix of young and old. There were a lot of kids – it was family friendly – and there were a lot of people with lawn chairs enjoying music in the park.”

In addition to Tompkins, other members of the group that worked to bring the music series to reality included Michelle Menter, John Driscoll, Vanessa Greenlee, Lynn Watros and Joanne James.
“Many years ago, we wanted to get some electric down at the park, so we could start maybe playing music there,” James said. “We have a nice gazebo and it’s a natural amphitheater – the music travels up nicely. On a nice summer night, it’s pretty nice to sit there.
“We got the electric in there, but didn’t have anyone to spearhead getting concerts going,” she added. “ I work with Michelle at the school and she said we should get some music going in the park. I’d wanted to get music going, and things just kind of fell into place.”

James said the group gathered, met for several months and the series came to fruition.
“We wanted to look into the local Newfield community,” Tompkins said about finding the bands to perform as part of the series. “That was big for us – to find people either from Newfield or would draw in Newfield.”

The remaining concerts will take place at 6 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month – next up is Arthur B. and the Planetary Mix on July 26.
“They have a new CD coming out,” Tompkins said. “They advertise cosmic vibes, with their harmonies and songs they sing.”

The last two shows will be Lucky Old Sun on August 30 – “they have some Newfielders in it,” Tompkins said – and Dapper Dan on September 27 – “they have a Newfield teacher; they are playing all over the place and I feel like it was good to get them on the way up.”

In addition to the musical entertainment, the series is tying in local historical information. Newfield Historian Alan Chaffee gave a short talk prior to the first show; Karen Van Etten will give a short presentation on the Bowstring Bridge before Wednesday night’s concert.
“We’re trying to get a little more culture,” Tompkins said. “The whole area was an old mill. I know people know about the covered bridge in Newfield, but I don’t know how much they know about the Bowstring Bridge.”

Vendors on site include Hot Spot Grill and Dennis’ Homemade Ice Cream.
“Hot Spot, which is West African food, they do the Ithaca Festival and their food is amazing,” Tompkins said. “Dennis’ Homemade Ice Cream is a big draw for people around Newfield.
“It was important for us to get some quality choices,” he added.

James said people should come out to enjoy music, and community.
“People should come, bring a blanket and sit on the grass,” she said. “I know the library will be open, in case people need to use the bathroom, and people can park in the church parking lot or along the road.
“It’s just a really nice setting, a really pretty environment, with the creek down below and the Bowstring Bridge,” she added. “It’s a nice experience.”

Those interested in helping contribute to the series can do so through an online platform at Generosity.com/community-fundraising/newfield-music-series-at-mill-park. For more information about the series, visit Facebook.com/NewfieldMusicSeries.

 

 

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