News

June 15 , 2005

Gem City Jazz Band to Perform at First Heard Concert

The Gem City Bands date back to the 1930's when it started playing at the Siebenbuerger Club in Erie. Since that time, it has been associated with the Moose Club and the East Erie Turners. The Jazz Band was formed in 2003 and specializes in big band and swing sounds, and is a 25 piece band. Currently, it has its permanent location at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Erie and uses the church’s rehearsal room and auditorium for spring and fall concerts. For more information on the band, visit www.gemcitybands.org. Co-directing the bands are well-known musicians Tim and Betty McKinney, formerly of North East where Tim was the music instructor at the high school for several years.

The concert will be held Thursday, June 23 at 6:30 at the Heard Park Bandstand, and is sponsored by Mercyhurst North East. It is free and open to the public. All guests are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the music. In case of rain, the concert will be moved to the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

This is the first summer concert of the season. The series is brought to the community by the North East Borough and the North East Chamber of Commerce. Any comments on the concert series may be directed to the Chamber at 725-4262 or the Borough at 725-8611.