New Port Richey, FL – Monday evening as the sun was setting in the west, Chasco Fiesta’s free concert highlighted the Youth Music Showcase. These young stars dazzled the small yet enthusiastic audience gathered under Sims Park’s new sun shades and enjoyed some fair food for dinner during the excellent entertainment. Dressed in her South Pacific costume complete with a colorful lei, nine-year old Savannah Peyton sang “How Far I’ll Go” from the Disney movie, “Moana.” Her grandmother, Karen Peyton, said “she nailed it” with pride significant pride. Savannah has been singing on staging since she was three-years-old. A student at Grace Christian Academy, she also enjoys singing gospel music at her church.
Mileena Ruiz sang a Taylor Swift hit “Mean” and that young lady, all of 10 years of age, has some pipes on her. Earlier in the show, the Adventist Church Academy Choir performed a variety of songs under the direction of Karen Lankston.
As the music continued in Sims Park’s amphitheater, visitors gathered with children and grandparents, stopping by the carnival first on the way to the park. The kids enjoyed the twirling tea cups, merry-go-round, and Dumbo rides while the more daring teens take their chance with the swinging guitar that gathers speed and eventually swings all the way around.
Tomorrow’s music lineup (Tuesday, March 28) puts the spotlight on Bluegrass in the Park, another free concert from 6 to 10 p.m., with Larry Gillis and the Swampgrass Band coming in from Georgia. Larry was raised on backwoods music and was especially influenced by his father to play the five string banjo. He developed a style reminiscent of Don Reno and Ralph Stanley, although it’s definitely Larry’s own sound. One half of the legendary Gillis Brothers, Larry continues with his music career in bluegrass. He’s a world renowned banjo picker and one of the few who still plays the old claw hammer style. He’s been in the business for more than 35 years and truly justifies the title “Dr. Swampgrass Gillis.”
Also playing Tuesday is the Recycled Glass Band, a hard driving, fast moving bluegrass band. They play lots of traditional bluegrass and add a twist to some of their own songs.
There will be plenty of seating and organizers ask that you don’t bring your golf carts or coolers. There lots to eat and drink surrounding the park and entertainment.
Now, if you like Rock and Jazz Under the Stars, then Wednesday, March 29 is your chance to hear Show Biz Kids, a world-class, twelve-piece Steely Dan tribute. This award-winning Tampa-based group of renowned studio and touring veterans combines meticulous, spot-on arrangements with stunning vocal and instrumental performances bringing Steely Dan’s hits to life with the vibrancy of a front row experience in a major arena.
Led by keyboardist Phil Magallanes, who is noted for his work with Arturo Sandoval, Blood Sweat & Tears, Engelbert Humperdinck, Debbie Gibson and Spyro Gyra, the other Show Biz Kids’ members are Diane Schuur, Barry Manilow, “Bootsy” Collins, Tom Jones, Larry Carlton, Bobby Caldwell, Gloria Estefan,”Doc” Severinson, and Tower Of Power.
But you won’t want to miss the the beginning of this concert on Wednesday when five Pasco County school jazz bands are showcased. The concert begins with short performances by the Gulf High School under the direction of William Rutherford, Wesley Chapel High School with director Josh Hobbs, and the Sunlake High School under the direction of Brandon Slaughter.
Each group is made up of 20-30 music students from their school and will play a variety of big band classics. At 7:00 p.m., the Pasco Schools All County Jazz Bands will take the stage. The first group will be the All County Middle School followed by the All County High School Jazz Band. These groups are made up of students from the entire county that were selected from an audition process. Each group has 25-30 members and will feature guests. Conductors for the middle school are Josh Sall and Carmen Griffin.
Rock & Jazz Under the Stars
The Chasco entertainment lineup will feature five Pasco County School jazz bands. The concert event begins with short performances by the Gulf High School under the direction of William Rutherford, Wesley Chapel High School under the direction of Josh Hobbs, and the Sunlake High School under the direction of Brandon Slaughter. Each group is made up of 20-30 music students from their school and will be playing a variety of big band classics. At 7:00pm the Pasco Schools All County Jazz Bands will take the stage. The first group will be the All County Middle School followed by the All County High School Jazz Band. These groups are made up of students from the entire County that were selected from an audition process. Each group has 25-30 members and will feature guest clinicians. The clinician/conductor of the middle school is Mr. Josh Sall and Ms. Carmen Griffin. Mr. Sall is currently the Director of Bands at Melbourne High School in Melbourne Florida and Ms. Griffin is the Director of Jazz Studies at Blake Performing Arts High School in Tampa.
When: Wednesday, March 29, 2017 • 6:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. • Where: Sims Park • Category: Music
FREE CONCERT
More Upcoming Concerts:
March 28 Bluegrass in the Park with Larry Gillis, Recycled Grass Band
March 29 Rock & Jazz Under the Stars
March 30 Rhythm & Blues Masters: Derek St. Holmes, Julie Black
March 31 Oldies Night: The Diamonds, Lola & The Saints
April 1 Classic Rock Night: Jefferson Starship, Embry Brothers Band, The Time Bandits
Tickets are available for the Classic Rock Night for advance purchase at $15 for general admission, $35 for premium seating (no preferred). Add $5 a ticket on the day of show. Purchase through: http://www.
More to come later as Chasco Fiesta 2017 makes its way to the finale event on Saturday!
