My Secret Bandshell By The Sea at KBCC


by on Jul 21st, 2009

Occidental Band at Kingsborough Community College in Manhattan BeachImagine this: the open air, cool summer breezes, sun setting into darkness, great music, space to kick up my feet and dance, and a chairs to sit on for some rest. But it doesn’t end there, there was refreshment available for just a couple of dollars and parking for free!

Now, imagine, you have the venue practically to yourself and there is excellent music playing in the background. Who are you, some music executive on a palatial estate? Well, not exactly.

Instead, you’re just an average joe, like lil’ old me, who took the effort to go to Kingsborough Community College for one of the summer concerts that was threatened by rain.

I wasn’t going to tell anyone that I went to the concert, simply because I was hoping to make the Kingsborough Community College bandshell my own private concert venue during future events — but it is utterly selfish of me and the couple of hundred others who enjoyed  music under the stars to keep it to ourselves.

The night I went, the Occidental Brothers, known as “Dance Band International”, played their hearts out. With their energetic Central and Western African tunes and very danceable beats, the unassuming band from Chicago entertained the small crowd as if there were thousands in the audience.

It was truly a beautiful experience listening to music under the stars and near the ocean, and although the threat of rain was what kept the throngs away, it didn’t show up in time for the concert.

Kingsborough is having its final summer concert this Saturday, and although I got lured away from swinging with The Danny Repole Swing Band and doing the two-step with The Red Stick Ramblers at this past weekend’s concerts,  I am definitely not going to miss the rousing klezmer and Gypsy music.

On Saturday, July 25th, Gadji-Gadjo will be playing the fanciful music that the Jewish World of New York described as “Jewish music without the Jews”. Check out the Quebecers’ website and their myspace page for a sample of this fun music.  Then, start practicing your steps and plan to show them off at my secret bandshell by the sea.

If there is a threat of rain, it’s even better, because there’ll be room to spread out on the dance floor. Plus, you’ll be glad I didn’t keep this my little secret.

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  • http://www.antsrants.webs.com/ Anthony

    Sounds like a great venue. Part of the appeal in my opinion is the eclectic musical styles that seem to gravitate towards the place. Such diverse music doesn’t always get its fair share of attention and has problems getting into the bigger name venues. Sounds like a great concert series. Free parking? Wow, there’s a dying concept. Totally awesome of KBCC to make sure there’s no excuses for not attending a few concerts there. Thanks for not being selfish, peeps need to know about this!

  • http://www.antsrants.webs.com Anthony

    Sounds like a great venue. Part of the appeal in my opinion is the eclectic musical styles that seem to gravitate towards the place. Such diverse music doesn’t always get its fair share of attention and has problems getting into the bigger name venues. Sounds like a great concert series. Free parking? Wow, there’s a dying concept. Totally awesome of KBCC to make sure there’s no excuses for not attending a few concerts there. Thanks for not being selfish, peeps need to know about this!

  • http://www.samanthalosapio.com/ Samantha

    I wonder if it is available all seasons. As the future faculty advisor for the music club on campus (whenever they let them get chartered), I think it would be wonderful for them to have a performance space to use that wouldn’t cost them anything– and may be able to generate some cash for a charity (if they sold tickets or asked for donations).

    I have worked on the campus for nearly 4 years and didn’t realize it was even there. Now I’m going to have to explore. My brother is in a band (and is the student head of the music group) so this was a wonderful find. Thanks, Ray!

  • http://www.samanthalosapio.com Samantha

    I wonder if it is available all seasons. As the future faculty advisor for the music club on campus (whenever they let them get chartered), I think it would be wonderful for them to have a performance space to use that wouldn’t cost them anything– and may be able to generate some cash for a charity (if they sold tickets or asked for donations).

    I have worked on the campus for nearly 4 years and didn’t realize it was even there. Now I’m going to have to explore. My brother is in a band (and is the student head of the music group) so this was a wonderful find. Thanks, Ray!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    I missed this article somehow. And I’m somewhat amazed that this bandshell has been able to hide itself even from people who work for the college.

    Too bad there isn’t a second bridge across Sheepshead Bay leading directly to Kingsborough. Twould be much better than having to go Manhattan Beach, which has gotten too tacky looking for my eyes in recent years.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001/ Lisanne!

    I missed this article somehow. And I’m somewhat amazed that this bandshell has been able to hide itself even from people who work for the college.

    Too bad there isn’t a second bridge across Sheepshead Bay leading directly to Kingsborough. Twould be much better than having to go Manhattan Beach, which has gotten too tacky looking for my eyes in recent years.

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