Friday, August 11, 2017

Rick Charette rocks Dundee Park despite the thunder and lightning threat by Michelle Libby


Dundee Park saw record attendance at the third concert of the season, despite the rumbles of thunder and lightning in the distance. The Dundee Park Concert Series is in its second year and has caught on as a place to see live music, cool off and visit with friends. Last week featured local musician Rick Charette and his pint-sized fans. 
 
“We’ve had good support,” said Parks and Recreation Director, Linda Brooks. The four week concert series is the ideal length according to Brooks, who added that Wednesday nights are perfect, too. In August there isn’t as much evening light and people start getting ready to go back to school, she said. 

Non-profits provided snacks, water, hotdogs and popcorn during the concerts. This year the organizations were: the Lions Club, Windham Rec campers, a 4-H group and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 148. The final concert was August 9. At Charette’s concert, the Auxiliary unit and Gorham Savings Bank’s Windham branch were there to do glitter tattoos and Mulberry Farms sold organic produce. 

Charette was the only performer who also performed last year. “It was fun last year. It’s unique. A show by the water with a lot of swimming and splashing in the water,” he said. He even planned his song “Popcorn” to interact with the swimmers however the storm had everyone out of the water early.
From Windham, Charette has spent 40 years performing around the country and in the Windham community. “Some parents are bringing their kids because they grew up with the music. It overwhelms me,” Charette said. While he is performing he hears the adults in the crowd singing as loud as the children.  

The concert had a rushed feel, with Charette playing most of his most requested songs at the beginning as he raced the impending storm that held off until after the concert.
Charette put on an interactive and fun show, and he showed no sign of slowing down. “It’s still fun and I still feel like I’m connecting with audiences,” he said.


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