A night of classics

On Monday night, Jamestown is in for a blast from the past when The Crystals and The Vogues take the stage at the Jamestown Civic Center.

The two groups, most known for their pop and soft rock hits of the 1960s, headline the Jamestown Masonic Lodge No. 6’s second annual concert event.

“It’s going to be one of those you’re not going to want to miss,” said Mike Velasquez, show manager for the lodge.

Last year’s inaugural concert brought in about 900 people to see country music singer Lorrie Morgan, said Bob Nustad, chairman of this year’s show and a member of the lodge.

“For the first year, things turned out really well with Lorrie Morgan and this year we’re hoping to do the same, if not even better with The Crystals and The Vogues,” Nustad said.

The concert is one of the lodge’s most successful fundraisers, as the group was able to donate more than $3,000 last year — $1,000 each to the Jamestown Regional Medical Center Foundation, the Salvation Army of Jamestown food pantry and the Arts Center.

Concert proceeds have also sparked the lodge to set up the first year of a scholarship fund at Jamestown High School.

“We hope to establish a $500 or $1,000 scholarship there and build on that in years to come if we can,” Nustad said.

Enjoying some classics

As for the two groups, only one original member from each will be taking the stage Monday night, but concert-goers can expect to hear all the groups’ hits from their era, according to Velasquez.

“The Crystals were the premier female group of the late ’50s and early ’60s,” he said.

The Crystals hit No. 1 on the pop singles charts in 1962 with “He’s a Rebel,” and had two other top 10 hits in 1963 with “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me.”

Original member Dolores “Dee Dee” Kenniebrew will sing along with Patricia Pritchett-Lewis and Melissa Antoinette “MelSoulTree” Grant.

The Vogues had a variety of ’50s/’60s rock and easy listening hits, Vasquez said.

The group scaled to No. 1 on the American contemporary singles charts in 1968 with “My Special Angel.” They also had top five pop singles chart hits with “You’re the One” and “Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine).”

Troy Elich is the only original member who is still part of the group.

Velasquez said Monday’s concert-goers of all ages will be able to enjoy such hit songs revitalized for today.

“Having had the opportunity to see The Crystals a couple years ago, they absolutely put on a great show, and from what I’ve heard about The Vogues, people can expect much of the same,” he said.

Nustad said the acts that the lodge looks to bring in each year combine both hit songs and a family-friendly atmosphere for the audience.

“It’s fun to have some of the older bands out because it’s always nice to have some songs people can remember,” he said. “But there’s a little bit of something for everybody. We’re encouraging getting the families out for this concert.”

Doors open at 6 p.m. Monday at the Civic Center, with the concert starting at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at either Stop N Go in Jamestown or at the Jamestown Civic Center box office.

For more information, contact Nustad at 701-320-2259.

Sun reporter Brian Willhide can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by email at bwillhide@jamestownsun.com

Tags: diversions, performances