Hundreds turn out for Freedom Rocks Concert

Tuesday, July 4, 2006
By DAYMOND STEER
Democrat Staff Writer

	Dan Blakeslee kicks off the first Freedom Rocks Music Festival at Portsmouth's Prescott Park Arts Festival on Monday. (Pamela Hodgdon/Democrat photo)

PORTSMOUTH — Derry couple Don and Mary Anne Piro wanted to hear some good music on Monday, so they made the 52-mile trip to Prescott Park for the first Freedom Rocks concert.

Like others in attendance, the Piros seemed glad they went.

"It you want a good show, come here," said Mary Anne Piro, 63, as she listened to the music.

Don Piro, 67, said the weather was nice, and it wasn't too crowded for his liking.

"It's not a mob scene; it's not crazy," he said.

At the beginning of the concert, a few hundred people were either sitting listening to the music or just passing by, but the numbers steadily increased as the show went on.

Michael Wheeler, 33, of Milford, said he and his girlfriend were there to see an old friend, performer Melvern Taylor.

"His shows are never disappointing," Wheeler said.

Many attendees remarked on the weather. The skies were blue and the mid-80s temperature was hot, but not stifling, thanks to a light breeze.

The Prescott Park Arts Festival and The Wire, a local arts and entertainment magazine, organized the Freedom Rocks concert. It featured eight local performers: The Texas Governor, Jason Anderson & The Beast, Melvern Taylor and his Fabulous Meltones, The Minus Scale, Laurel Brauns, Dan Blakeslee, Old Time Dave Talmage, and Mini Jacket.

Music fans Kelley Maye, 25, and Jordana Langlois, 25, both of Portsmouth, were sitting together on the grass near the stage. They described themselves as "big time" Blakeslee fans.

"He's so heartfelt," Maye said.

Laurel Brauns plays at the first Freedom Rocks Music Festival at Portsmouth's Prescott Park Arts Festival on Monday. (Pamela Hodgdon/Democrat photo)

Rich Fernald, of Dover, was also there to hear Blakeslee, but for a different reason. Fernald was Blakeslee's social studies teacher at Marshwood High School. He said he was really enjoying the show.

"This is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday," he said.

Before she hit the stage to perform her alternative folk music, Braun said she really was looking forward to entertaining the audience, both young and old, in an outdoor setting.

"It's always a treat to get out of the typical bar and pub situation," Braun said.

The idea for the show was born in March when David Karlotski, publisher of The Wire, asked Prescott Park Arts Festival Executive Director Deborah Lielasus Tombleson what she thought about having a rock show at the park.

Tombleson said she was looking for an event idea to kick off the summer at that same time.

"How about July 3?" she asked in response to Karlotski's question.

Karlotski was thrilled.

"It was absolutely perfect; we always wanted to do a big old music festival in the park," he said.