Verona Concert Fundraiser Rockin' Into Fifth Year

Verona’s Rockin’ in the Park promises to take music lovers back in time September 17 with a lineup reminiscent of the the summer of love.

“It’s like the 60’s all over,” said Randy Satz. “It's going to be good weather, and it's for a good cause, and you can have a good time.”

Satz and his wife, Sherry Kai, owners of the Hula Bar in Verona, have put on the concert fundraiser for five years now.

The event, which takes place in Verona’s park along East Railroad Avenue, promises to feature great music for a great cause—the proceeds support the Verona Volunteer Fire Department and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Western Pennsylvania Chapter.

Admission is free. The concert is from 2 p.m. to about 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. An after party at the Hula Bar will follow.

“It seems like it’s a good event for Verona,” borough councilman Dom Conte said. “There are a lot of people that show up. The music’s really good.”

That music will include bands from across the country as well as from our own backyard.

The Penn Hills-based band the Poor Souls, will open with what it calls “rock and roll laced with powerful lead vocals, tight, three part harmonies and screaming lead guitar work”.

Self-described “hard rocking, driving blues” band Angel Blue and the Prophets will follow with a special Janis Joplin tribute, then the Garage Doors will take to the stage to perform favorites of the legendary psychedelic rock band the Doors.

To round out the show, a Rockin’ in the Park favorite, Beatlemania!, returns this year with its tribute to the Beatles.

Satz said this year’s lineup is a little different than in years past, because of it’s strictly sixties theme.

“I think this year it kind of came together like that,” he said.

Previous years, he said, have been more of a “mish-mash”, referring to Rockin’ in the Park shows when performers as varied as No Doubt tribute Sunday Morning, guitarist Rebb Beach from hard rock bands like Winger and Whitesnake, and Beatlemania! have shared the stage.

But no matter who takes the stage, the main attraction is more than music.

Since its inception, the concert has benefitted this year’s two charities. In addition to donations to each from the proceeds of the event, at the concert itself, the Verona VFD sells beer to raise money and the MS Society holds a raffle.

Satz said he’s excited about the fifth anniversary of the concert fundraiser. He’s also looking forward to a beautiful day for the event.

“It’s rain or shine,” he said, “but I hear it’s going to be good weather.”

If You Want to Go

What? Rockin' in the Park: A Celebration of the Sixties.

Where? Verona's park along East Railroad Avenue.

When? Begins at 2 p.m. on Sept. 17, afterparty to follow at the Hula Bar.