The Northampton Arts Council works to support and nurture the arts in the city of Northampton. The Council awards grants twice each year to artists and arts groups from both state and locally-raised funds, and seeks to improve public awareness of the arts. Its' goals include maintaining and preserving the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Northampton, programming such annual events of interest to the community as First Night Northampton and Transperformance.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Roger Salloom 33rd Annual Free Concert at Look Park


Roger Salloom will present his 33rd Annual Free Concert at Look Park in Northampton on Thursday, August 18 with special guests Seth Glier, Evelyn Harris & Johnny Joelson!

Northampton, MA - Roger Salloom will host his 33rd Annual Free Concert at Look Park on Thursday, August 18 at 7 p.m. It’s an event that has become a tradition on the local music scene, and a tribute to longtime musician Roger Salloom and other musicians who make it possible.

“This concert has always been about being free to the people,” said Salloom. “That was the whole deal in the beginning. Sure, we were playing music, but it was supposed to make people feel happy and good in a simple, free way. Emphasis is on free.”

This year’s concert will include Salloom’s former band-mate Seth Glier (Grammy Winner) who will open on keyboards. It will also include Grammy nominee, and former member of Sweet Honey In the Rock, Evelyn Harris. She will perform Edith Piaf’s Vie En Rose during the event. Master of Ceremonies will be Rick Haggerty from WXOJ. The concert is free but those arriving by vehicle will have to pay a small fee to enter Look Park.

According to Salloom, the Look Park Concert was an emulation of the concerts that he and his “whacked- out, idealistic hippie band” used to see in the late 60’s at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. He said he learned a lot from not having any money, and his band never had money. He learned to give to his community. The Look Park concert has become that, an annual gift to the community and a tribute to Roger Salloom and several other participating musicians.

“When we started in1983 Northampton was a much different town,” said Salloom. “The Iron Horse was a new narrow 90-seat venue for original music and that was about it. The Calvin and Pearl Street did not host music, and WRSI was just becoming a vibrant music station. We invited poets to read our convocations including Pulitzer Prize winner James Tate. Doug Anderson, who was voted Best Poet in Massachusetts, was also on board. Not long after our first concert, promoters starting bringing in big names such as Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan and Ray Charles. Thirty-three years later, it still makes sense and we thank local businesses for supporting our efforts.”

Go to www.rogersalloom.com for more information or email Roger Salloom at leold@comcast.net

Funded in part by the Northampton Arts Council

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