Jimmy Sturr returns to Passaic’s Third Ward Park on July 30 at 7:30 pm. He is pictured with Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik and Greg Komeshok. The former Passaic High School Athletic Director, Komeshok is the producer of the show and its chief fundraiser. Sturr performs clarinet, trumpet and saxophone on top of his lead vocals with his orchestra.
He’s performed with Willie Nelson and other national artists but Jimmy Sturr still enjoys staging a free concert in Passaic’s Third Ward Park every July. Dubbed America’s favorite polka band, Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra performs on July 30 at the bandshell on Passaic and Van Houten Ave. Fans and newcomers should bring a blanket and a lawn chair for an evening of lively dance music, which begins at 7:30 pm. Sturr has won 18 Grammy Awards for Best Polka Album. His orchestra is on the Top 10 list of the AllTime Grammy Awards, with more Grammy nominations than anyone in the history of musical polka awards.
Returning for the 12th year to perform in Passaic, some 1,000 fans fill the park’s lawn and listen and dance to Sturr and his 10 piece orchestra perform not only Polkas, but also country music and American standards. Greg Komeshok began the shows in 2003 and does all the fundraising through the Holy Rosary Young Mens Club which is affiliated with the Passaic church by the same name on Wall St. attended by many Poles. He has a list of sponsors, including the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council, but can always use additional monetary support. To contribute or find out more, call Komeshok at 973-473-5111.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Music Series
The Clifton Recreation Department’s Sunday Night Concert Series returns to Main Memorial Park on Park Slope and Main Ave. The weekly concert series extends until Aug. 30 and is sponsored by the Clifton Board of Recreation. Shows begin at 7:30 pm. It opens on July 12 with Joey Arminio and the Family, a night of music from the 50’s and 60’s; The Clifton Community Band performs on July 19; Swingman and the Misfit-Mutts does their Swing, Rock, Rhythm & Blues show on July 26; Eaglemania returns on Aug. 2; The James Dean Orchestra does a Frank Sinatra Tribute on Aug. 9; Parrotbeach brings their Jimmy Buffet Tribute and Island Tunes to the park on Aug. 16; The Emerald Experience Party Band make you want to dance on Aug. 23 and it closes with a Children's Concert on Aug. 30. If the weather is iffy, call 973-470-5680 after 5 pm to see if the show is cancelled. Clifton Merchant • July 2015
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