Four Seasons Tribute Wraps Up Summer Concert Series

As the final unofficial days of summer are rolling out, the Yorktown Lions Club summer concert series came to an end on Sunday, September 5, with a tribute band to The Four Seasons. More than 2,000 people gathered at the Gazebo on Jack DeVito Field and grooved all night long to hits from the 1960s.

People of all ages set out blankets and lawn chairs for Oh What A Night's early evening performance. The Las Vegas-based group sang hits such as "Candy Girl," "My Eyes Adore You," and a high-kicking rendition of "Grease."

Joseph Straci, President of the Lions Club, was pleased with how many people both attended and enjoyed this final summer performance.

"I know people are happy because so many have thanked me and the Lions Club for these gatherings we bring about," Straci said.

Despite the fact that Oh What A Night sang with a track and not a live band, Gina Gavigan of Yorktown still enjoyed the outdoor concert experience.

"It's so nice to meet with your friends in the beautiful weather," said Gavigan, relieved that she could enjoy herself with her girlfriends while the children played in the spacious field. "I look forward to next year."

For Yorktown resident Anita Sgueglia, the quartet's synchronized dancing came as a surprise.

"They've definitely got a few dance steps down," Sgueglia said of the high-energy artists who gave historical background and even performed short skits between songs.

Sgueglia was just one of many people who brought friends and dinner along to the show. She watched the performance with her husband and two friends while enjoying a plentiful summertime meal that included shrimp and pineapple, edamame, chorizo, potatoes, Chinese chicken salad, and more.

She said she attends multiple concerts in the series every year. Although she enjoyed the end of the summer outing, the Bruce Springsteen tribute band was her favorite performance of the season. 

And the concerts don't come cheap. This summer alone cost almost $3,500. For the Lions Club, the outcome is well worth the effort they put in.

During intermission, Straci joined his grandson on the stage to announce three raffle winners who won a total of $1,000. First prize was $500, second was $300 and third prize was $200. This form of fundraising allowed the community to make donations to the Lions Club, who made over $1,000 to support eyesight.

Straci, who has been putting on the summer concert series for 16 years, said his year would certainly not be the last. He's ready to continue supporting the community by planning to bring in next summer's newest performers. The committee will rate each potential act from one to ten, based on a performance shown on DVD.

"We always choose what we think is best, democratically," Straci said. "They're what I call a 'box office attraction'."