'Music On The Street' Bringing Summer Vibe Back To Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — "Music On The Street," an eight-concert series of free summer performances, returns to the heart of Newtown Borough in July and August.

Presented by the Opus Outreach Foundation and sponsored by local businesses, the series continues every Thursday from July 10 through August 28. The music begins at 6 p.m. in front of the Opus Elite building at 16 South State Street.

“We’re appealing to all audiences with our lineup. We have everything from solo artists to a full-fledged rock band,” said Mark Gatta of Opus Elite. “We have all different music, all different genres of music - everything from 70s and 80s pop to rock and everything else.”

Some of the headliners include hit recording artist Meg Russell and the Bunker Band featuring some familiar State Street faces, including Harry Betz from the Newtown Bicycle Shop.

The series opens on Thursday, July 10, with the acoustic duo, the Singing Humans, featuring Sandy and Jim of Langhorne. The concert is sponsored by Dress to the 9's.

The series continues on Thursday, July 17, with guitarist and singer John Thomas of Langhorne sponsored by ATG Abstract. Blending genres ranging from blues and rock to folk and bluegrass music, Thomas delivers a live performance with a fierce rhythm hand.

The Brian Ulrich Duo brings its blues, rock and alternative classics to the street on July 17 with a show sponsored by America Insurance. The duo features Brian Ulrich and Will McElwee on acoustic guitars and vocals.

The series continues July 31 with the Dockside Band sponsored by the Newtown Bicycle Shop, August 7 with Bangarang sponsored by 4 Ever Young, August 14 with Bad Hombres sponsored by Ned's Cigars and Heath Dumont Engineering, August 21 with Meg Russell sponsored by Countryside Framing and August 28 with the Bunker Band sponsored by Opus Elite Real Estate.

Throughout the series, the Opus Elite office will be open, offering complimentary refreshments and an air-conditioned respite. “They’re welcome to come in, enjoy the snacks, use the restroom if they need to or just to cool down,” said Gatta.

Concertgoers are welcome to bring chairs and blankets and find a spot on the sidewalk to enjoy the music, said Gatta.

Gatta said while each performance is free and sponsored by Newtown businesses, he encourages attendees to donate to the Opus Outreach Foundation. The foundation supports local families in need, he said.

“There are no administrative costs so every dollar raised goes to the foundation and helping people in the community. We also ask that you support the businesses because they are providing the concerts.”