The Tom Milo Big Band
Hard to believe, but LaPorte’s own Tom Milo Big Band is celebrating its 50th year. How better to celebrate than with a rousing concert in the park?
The Milo band will play at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater in Fox Park, a perfect ending to the 2013 Arts in the Park summer season. Thursday’s concert will follow a Wednesday, Aug. 28, concert at the same time, same place, featuring Junior & the Igniters.
Both concerts are free, and both evenings will also feature keyboard music by Patrick Watterson starting at 6:30 p.m. and works of local artists. The new LaPorte County poet laureate will be announced on Thursday. Refreshments will be available both nights.
Wednesday: Junior & the Igniters
This band returns to the Arts in the Park stage to play American roots music, blues, rockabilly and country. The band consists of Junior Combs on lead guitar and vocals, Jesse Lee Scutchfield on lead vocals and standup bass, and Mike McCalment on drums.
Thursday: Tom Milo Big Band
This LaPorte institution features 19 musicians, many of whom have appeared with other big names such as Sammy Kaye, Les Elgart, Stan Kenton and the Dukes of Dixieland. The Tom Milo Big Band has performed throughout the Midwest as well as aboard cruises to destinations such as the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and Alaska. The band’s selections of swing, Latin beats, waltzes and contemporary music and other genres will make it hard for dancers and even reluctant dancers in the audience to sit still.
Alumni and families of all players past and present of the Tom Milo Big Band are especially invited.
End of season
Arts in the Park is grateful to all the sponsors, donors, bands, volunteers and audience members who have made this season terrific. Special thanks go to Kitty Wolf and Lisa Smithson for their leadership.
To support Arts in the Park, call 219.363.9317 or 219.362.2258, email www.artsintheparklaporte@yahoo.com or visit www.artsintheparklaporte.com.