Tenafly — Are you a Tenafly resident looking for something to do on a Wednesday or Thursday night during the summer that won’t cost you a penny? Look no further than your own Borough’s free outdoor concert series in Davis-Johnson and Huyler Parks.
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Staff Photo by joe camporeale
Gay Willis and James Michael perform Broadway songs inside the Garden Room at Davis-Johnson Park as part of Tenafly’s free concert series.
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This year, 15 concerts were scheduled during the week and some Saturdays for residents to enjoy the sounds of rock, jazz and Broadway hits.
Mayor Peter Rustin said the concert series in Davis-Johnson Park was started several years ago for mainly two reasons — the need for more adult activities and to introduce residents to the park.
"We have a lot of sophisticated people, not everyone is young here," he said. "I happen to like more serious music as well."
Rustin said the park is a beautiful place that is unknown to a majority of the residents and so, he felt it a perfect place to hold the series.
Three years ago, Rustin teamed up with Ellie Sturrock, executive director of Zion Entertainment who has provided talent for most of the shows as well as snacks and beverages at each.
Rustin said $13,000 is budgeted for the concerts in Davis-Johnson Park and $18,000 for Huyler Park, but with the number of sponsors and patrons, taxpayers need not worry too much.
"Now we’re at the point where the expense is minimal to the taxpayer because we’re getting a lot of donations from businesses."
Councilman Jon Warms, who is responsible for the Tenafly Presents program, said Rustin has been the driving force behind the concerts and is pleased to play a role in providing support and assistance. He also feels that Davis-Johnson Park is a great venue for the concerts.
"It’s very pretty and serene," he said. "People can bring blankets of their own chairs but they mostly use the benches arranged around the gazebo."
Rustin said that with an asset like the park, all residents should come out and see it.
"If not enough people are seeing it, you try to do things that are within the realm of what you do there," he said. "It’s worked out very well."
E-mail: andrews@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6723
July 30: Singer Gretchen Parlato, 7 p.m.