By Ryan Smith
Meadville Tribune
MEADVILLE —
Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers have toured across a fair bit of the United States. From New York City to Salt Lake City, the trio’s performed on stages large and small.
But after they finish, they tend to head back home to northwestern Pennsylvania and, sometimes, bring some of life on the road back with them.
Like last year, when Gypsy Dave (also known as 25-year-old Allegheny College graduate Dave Washousky) brought nationally-acclaimed bluegrass artists the Gibson Brothers to the Academy Theatre’s stage for an intimately-set, one-time evening performance.
Washousky said then he was hopeful the show would be the first in a series that would bring something new to the local music scene and, further, highlight the sorts of things Meadville’s arts community can offer.
And he’s still got his eye on that idea.
Now, Washousky’s busy working with Meadville Council on the Arts to spread word about the first — and free — Downtown Meadville Summer Concert Series, kicking off July 1 and continuing every Thursday through the month in historic Diamond Park.
“Downtown Meadville is a unique and special place,” Washousky said recently. “There’s a real (sense of) community here. ...We really wanted to have it in the heart of downtown, and have a family-friendly, community-building event.”
Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers start things off July 1 at 7 p.m. Their original Americana music has been featured on local, national and international radio stations.
The following week, on July 8, Salmon Frank take the stage. Described by Washousky as a “cornerstone of the local music scene,” they feature an energetic blend of original rock and folk.
On July 15, the Concert Band of Northwest Pennsylvania presents its “Music from North of the Border,” featuring several selections with Canadian music ties.
The series continues July 22 with Rodger Montgomery (a “legendary local bluesman,” said Washousky) and his band with a night of classic and original blues.
And it all wraps up July 29 with a performance by acclaimed bluegrass band the Mon River Ramblers. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Washousky said the Ramblers — who’ve performed at major national events like the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado and DelFest in Maryland — are “one of the fastest-rising bluegrass acts in the country.”
The MCA series is being supported by the council’s numerous volunteers — “tireless music supporters,” said Washousky — and local sponsors including Watts & Pepicelli P.C., Northwest Savings Bank, Erie Bank, Bush Investment Group, Make It Meadville and Allegheny College.
“A lot of the downtown businesses have stepped up to help,” Washousky said. “Without that (support), we wouldn’t be able to do it.
Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com.
You can go
Meadville Council on the Arts presents the first Downtown Meadville Summer Concert Series, kicking off July 1 and continuing every Thursday through July in historic Diamond Park. All shows start at 7 p.m. are free and open to everyone.
n July 1 — Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers
n July 8 — Salmon Frank
n July 15 — Concert Band of Northwest Pennsylvania
n July 22 — Rodger Montgomery Blues Band
n July 29 — Mon River Ramblers
For more information on the series, call MCA at 336-5051. Businesses interested in helping to sponsor the series may contact organizer Dave Washousky by phone at (716) 868-4762 or e-mail at david@thegypsydave.com.
