The radiant afternoon at RiverStone Estate outdoor concert shifted to golden twilight – setting the stage for Erich Cawalla and The Uptown Band’s conclusion to Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Art’s Celebration of 250 years of American Music on Saturday, July 25 – with three hours plus of entertainment and dancing by an audience of more than 300 people.
The Uptown Band followed the opening ‘patriotic’ hour of music with Jonathan Shegog’s bagpipes, the WV Mountaineer Fifes and Drums, the Harrisville American Legion Post #852 presentation of the colors and 14-year-old Jacob Long’s moving national anthem.
Erich Cawalla on tenor sax inspired the audience with his arrangement of “God Bless America”.
To honor the veterans in the audience, Erich Cawalla and The Uptown Band performed a medley of American service songs for each of the military branches.
Veterans in the audience from all the military branches stood up to be honored by applause from those assembled.
Then – it was three hours+ of Music and Dancing as the consummate musicians in Erich Cawalla’s The Uptown Band with vocalist and dancer Jenifer Kinder entertained ARCA’s RiverStone audience in a first half “show”…
The band rocked the audience performing music from every decade of the last 100 years – fulfilling their reputation as one of the country’s most versatile and respected live bands with over 2000 shows – with their phenomenal play list and grooving mix of jazz, pop, rock, funk and R&B.
This was a joyous 250th Birthday Party – as the band had the audience clapping in time, singing along, hoisting children to their shoulders and dancing around the lawn and in front of the band throughout the evening.
It was the best of a summer evening with Picnics, Fireflies, Friends and Families dancing together with their Littles.
During the first half of the concert friends enjoyed the entertainment..
And couples were dancing all around the lawn – between lawn chairs and in the open grass, many barefooted.
After intermission, dancers had a blast together dancing in front of the band in the glow of the sunset.
New friends were made – long-time friends shook a leg together – as ARCA’s dance-loving audience enjoyed and danced to every song in a myriad of styles – having fun with mid-20th century dances like the “Twist” and the “Swim”
Disco dancing to “Stayin’ Alive”
And slow dancing to “At Last” with their sweethearts.
And of course – to Mustang Sally – bringing out the best in all the “Sallys”.
All generations danced together as the sun set and twilight deepened – from the young to the young at heart…
All celebrating sweet life and enjoying the versatile playlist of The Uptown Band – consummate entertainers, vocalists and instrumentalists.
As a second encore to conclude the evening, Erich Cawalla paid tribute to ARCA’s 250th American celebration singing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
Thank you to the extraordinary musicians in Erich Cawalla’s The Uptown Band for their fabulous show – and generosity of spirit. The night shone with heart and humanity – united by the Spirit that connects us all through music.
The magical night will be long remembered as a brilliant beginning to ARCA’s third decade bringing music “from Bach to Rock” to audiences in the beautiful Allegheny-Clarion River valley in Foxburg.
Sincere thanks to Saji and Shannon Daniel for hosting ARCA’s 250th Celebration at RiverStone Estate – as well as their support team – and to ARCA’s Board, staff and volunteers for their dedication and work to produce this event for our community.
Sincere thanks to Kurt Crosbie – photographer, ARCA Board member and owner of Foxburg Tour providing pontoon rides and bike rentals in the valley – for providing his professional photographs and videos – Kurt Crosbie Photography – and to Kathy Soroka for her photos and videos of the event.