Music returns to Plum Street as summer concert series begins

Shows in Elizabeth are set for every Thursday through the end of August.

Residents of Elizabeth Borough and the surrounding area flocked to Plum Street with their lawn chairs Thursday night as the annual summer concert series began.

From left, Elizabeth Area Development Corporation (EADC)’s Lori Kolodziej and Larry Ross pose in front of a crowd of people Thursday evening in Elizabeth Borough for the season’s first Plum Street concert.

Plum Street concerts take place from 6 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, weather permitting. They feature local bands who fill downtown with music, energy and community spirit.

Thursday’s first performer was The Matt Barranti Band.

The Downtown Elizabeth Summer Concert Series was created by the Elizabeth Area Development Corporation. Lori Kolodziej has been putting the event together for 20 years.

“We are just trying to make Elizabeth Borough a more walkable community,” Kolodziej said. “It’s an effort, but you want to encourage people to come downtown, and engage with the businesses. I’ve been watching people hug each other who haven’t seen each other all winter, so that’s pretty cool. It’s like a big family reunion.”

Kolodziej handles all the music, which she books in January or February, and EADC’s Larry Ross takes care of the logistics.

They both set up the stage, along with borough public works, and Plum Street is blocked off the whole summer.

“A lot of us have been doing this as volunteers for the fire department and such,” said Rich Beam, who has helped with the music for the past two decades. “It’s spilled over to doing the events, and just over the years, you get to know all the talent, from Pittsburgh to West Virginia and beyond.

“With all the contacts we acquire, and anyone that is from the Mon Valley, it’s pretty easy. This has come a long way over the years.”

This year’s concerts were made possible through Main Streets Allegheny, an initiative of County Executive Sara Innamorato, with funding provided by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.

Borough manager Scott Craighead said they received around $13,000 after applying for the initiative. Another $24,000 was received for Riverfest.

Larissa Leuenberger of Realty One Group Gold Standard was one of the sponsors of Thursday’s concert, along with Fellini’s Pizza. Leuenberger said since she is from the area, she wanted to be a sponsor.

Plum Street will also host a Praise on Plum event featuring worship services on the third Friday of the summer months.

Stephanie Ziacan of Simply You Candle and Soap Co., who put the event together, said it stemmed from a need in the community. She added that she loves the concerts.

Ross said he enjoys the whole thing, including the ambiance and getting to bring the community together. He said people come back week after week to check out the music and meet up with friends.

Residents Val Fanelli, Janis Stricklin and Stephanie Karloski come to the concerts every week to dance along with the music.

“I love that it gives older people somewhere to dance, and it gives us somewhere to go that isn’t a bar. In our generation, that’s what we did,” Fanelli said. “We went dancing all the time.”

“I love being with my friends. It’s one chance I do get the chance to spend time with my friends,” Karloski said. “I love being outside, I love the music, I love just being around people. We like to patronize the businesses here too because there’s a restaurant right here. It’s great. We like to help out the local businesses.”

The rest of this year’s lineup includes the following bands and sponsors:

• June 11— 1985 (Chelsea Roofing).

• June 18 — Ledfoot Lover (Jeff Sorick Heating and Cooling Inc., Pascarella Disposal Services, Devie Rollison, Realtor Reality ONE Group Gold Standard).

• June 25 —This Indecision (Howell Craft).

• July 2 — EZ Action (Mama Pepinos).

• July 9 — Dancing Queen (Snyder-Ross Agency).

• July 16 — Artistree (Steel Strong Credit Union).

• July 23 — Original Zucco Bubblegum Band (Elizabeth Equipment Services Inc., Salon 2nd Ave. and Mon River Arts).

• July 30 — Fabulous Gemstones (KeyBank and Dan Chacko).

• Aug. 6 — Rewound (Elizabeth Auto Sales).

• Aug. 13 — Elmoz Fire (Candelore’s Barking Beauties).

• Aug. 20 — Shot O’ Soul (Bekavac Funeral Home, Rockwell’s Red Lion Restaurant and Stephen Bayard Masonic Lodge #526).

• Aug. 27 — Moldies (Keystone Excavating and Barton’s Flowers and Bake Shop Inc.).