By Erica Toledo
Contributing Writer, ‘12
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- photo courtesy of Americasfavoritecounty.com
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- photo courtesy of Brooklyn.com
It was sunny, and the air was cool and tasted mildly of salt as I passed through the Asser Levy Park gates flanked by idly chatting police officers in Coney Island, Brooklyn. There were throngs of people lined up for the makeshift VIP aisles and five-dollar chair rentals, but it was the seasoned Brooklyn residents with healthy tans, eager smiles, and packed lunches that I chose to sit amongst. They laid out their blankets and beach towels and unfolded their outdoor chairs as I smoothed out my skirt and sat on the cool grass. Their excited chatter and the gentle pop of Tupperware swelled my anticipation for I was here to see Hall & Oates perform live — a first occurrence that I would share with Brooklyn’s 31st Seaside Summer Concert Series.
A few minutes after eight while I was waiting outside of the ladies’ restroom I heard an explosion of percussion, acoustic-electric guitar, and Daryl Hall’s smooth vocals rise over the excited cries and cat calls. I wasn’t even upset that I couldn’t see the Philly soul pair. A grin grew on my lips and I danced and sashayed all the way into the bathroom stall — and then I hurried as fast as I could through the enamored crowd to get a closer look.
My elation mounted as I pushed through small empty spaces between people and climbed over beach chairs, and I felt like I had completed an obstacle course as soon as I reached my spot. The two middle-aged women seated to the left of me had put down their knitting needles, taking part in the excited commotion that the masses were swept up in. Behind me, two girls who appeared to be my age alternated between belting out the words to Hall & Oates’ top hits and swooning. A quiet, dark-skinned woman seated in front of me had put down her weathered book and was gazing, smiling at the stage. All around us, people shot up from their perches to flit, shimmy, and sway to Daryl and John’s extended jazzy instrumentals. And, of course, I joined them. I danced all the way out of Brooklyn.
Just a week later the summer rains let up and the skies cleared up again for Pat Benatar and Blondie’s performances at the Seaside Summer Concert Series. Pat Benatar took the stage, looking and sounding as beautiful as ever. She and her husband, Spyder, played one of their most noted songs, You Better Run, which premiered as the second music video ever aired on MTV. Benatar played at least one song from almost every one of her albums, happily interacting with her audience. I was delighted to see that everyone waved their cell phones and lighters as the singer crooned We Belong to the Night. Then Blondie took the stage and their fun, poppy sound got everyone up and dancing in a fervor and frenzy only practiced bands can elicit from their audiences.
These two memorable experiences are just snapshots of the festivities that occurred at this end of Brooklyn this summer, and all for free! The 31st Brooklyn Summer Seaside Concert Series also included performances by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, and Donna Summers. The summer has passed, and the concert series is on hiatus until next year, but I can’t wait to find out whom they plan on scheduling for the 32nd year!
