Looking Back on the October 6^th Performance for Art on the Avenue in Alexandria

(Thanks to Don Harrington for taking notes at this event.  YeEd) 

On Saturday, October 6, the Alexandria Harmonizers performed for Art on the Avenue, a multi-cultural arts festival celebrating community diversity through the arts in the Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia. The Harmonizers enjoy performing at this annual home town festival, which provides an opportunity to give back to the community, build our brand and gain new fans.

The Harmonizers performed a varied repertoire of 10 songs to an enthusiastic audience starting at 1:00 PM at the Colonel Arnold D. Gabriel Concert Band Stage at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center.  Sharing the directing duties were musical director Joe Cerutti, associate director Tony Colosimo, and assistant director Chuck Hunter.  Solos were performed Tony Colosimo, Frank Fedarko, Kevin McKenzie, and Clyde Crusenberry.  Master of Ceremony was president Shawn Tallant.

Over 25 other musical groups performed for some 50,000 visitors strolling down Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, Alexandria, between Bellefonte and Hume Avenues at one of 5 stages.  Other artists (jewelers, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, unique painters, sculptures, fabric artists) and food vendors (hot dogs, BBQ, Indian, crab cakes, chocolate bananas dipped on a stick, homemade cider donuts) provided something for everyone. 

About 45 guys assembled in the meeting room of the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center at noon in our casual uniform (black camp shirt and jeans) to warm up and make last minute adjustments.  Starting at 1:00 PM, our 45 minute set was performed under cloudy skies and warm weather.  Several Harmonizer friends were in the crowd cheering us on including Liz Birnbaum and Dave Kohls, and Walt Page who "worked the crowd" and invited fans to come to our Holiday show, December 8. 

A large group of helpers made quick work of the risers with special thanks to Bob Blair and Dean Sherick who rented the trailer and drove the truck; and to the early and late riser crews who brought the risers from and returned them to the Scottish Rite temple.  Several of the guys stayed around to enjoy the festival.

Until next time – editorjack! 

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week during the 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd