Get Ready for A Day-long Musical Buffet in Wakefield

So, maybe you’re tired of battling beach goer traffic jams, bored with the family barbecue or even worse, tired of the same old, worn out Tom Cruise sequels available to stream on TV — well there is a great alternative just about 30 minutes away from Providence-area traffic.

On Saturday, May 25, the second annual Wakefield Music Festival kicks off on Main Street, from 2 to 10 pm. The annual event put on in cooperation with Phil’s Downtown Grill and the Contemporary Theater Company of Wakefield promises a variety of music at a great price.

The event is a fundraiser for the CTC, a theater that formed in 2005 and has expanded during its prosperous lifetime, as it invigorates the Southern New England local theater community. In recent years, the CTC has expanded its space, adding rehearsal space as well as much needed office space.

Continuing their mission for last year’s inaugural musical bash, festival organizers in 2024 will carry on the tradition of bringing a variety of music to bustling downtown Wakefield, while making it affordable to attend.

One of the energetic lead organizers, Ken Tetzener, owner of Phil’s Main Street Grill, said his vision is two-fold: “Bringing people together and shining a spotlight on downtown Wakefield.”
He adds while only being in its second year, the event is getting bigger and as he proudly says “better.”

It is clear to see that this year’s festival, which charges $20 per adult (children attend free), makes attending easy on the wallet.

Headlining this year’s show are local acts from across the region including Mystic Dead, a Connecticut based Grateful Dead tribute band; Dan Moretti’s Soul Jazz Collective, a local jazz mainstay; Guess Method, a Motif Music Awards jam band winner; and Brass Force, a 10-piece unit with driving horns that has entertained party goers for more than 35 years.

Now, the simple truth is that between cover charges and liquor prices, a night out can quickly add up to much more that $20, which makes this show worth every dollar.

For instance, old school jazz lovers will quickly recognize the name Dan Moretti. This veteran saxophonist has been a steady force on the local jazz scene since the ‘70s. Moretti has recorded or performed with a long list of musical legends, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, and Robert Plant.. Now, that’s talent.

At the other end of the musical spectrum, Connecticut based Mystic Dead is one of the area’s best Grateful Dead tribute Bands.

And for listeners and readers that call themselves soul music lovers, Brass Forces is sure to get you up and shaking a tail feather. The band, whose foundation is a red hot horn section covers a ton of R&B and soul music, including the music of Alicia Keys, the Average White Band, and Amy Winehouse, among others. Get ready from some serious, old school, get down funk grooves on Memorial Day Weekend.

With the weather forecast calling for great weather, keep in mind that the rain date is Sunday May 26, same location, starting at 2pm.

To quote a legendary musical figure from the ‘70s, “Be there or be square,” wailed Peter Wold, the longstanding front man for the J.Geils Band.

For more information go online to contemporarytheatercompany.com/music-fest.

Active duty military personnel and veterans are free of charge with children under 12 free.