socastcmsRssStartOldies 100.9 News staffsocastcmsRssEnd
Thousands are expected to flood downtown Brighton this weekend with the return of “one of the best parties of the season.”
The annual Brighton Street Dance – once again sponsored and presented by the Rotary Club of Brighton – will make its return featuring Bentwood Rocker and Big Black Smoke performing live in the middle of downtown starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2.
After rocking the stage at the event for at least the last two decades, Bentwood Rocker’s Dan Thompson – who is also a Rotarian – says the best part continues to be all the people who come together for the annual all-ages street bash.
Thompson tells us a little more about the moments he cherishes most.
Of course, the crowd changes as the performances go on until about 11-11:30 p.m. – but it’s just incredible to see so many people from their 20s to their 60s and upwards and such a range of folks who turn up to take in the show, says Thompson.
And while there aren’t really headcounts taking place over the years, Thompson believes numbers are continuing to grow.
This year’s bash gets going with performances at 7 p.m. First up is Big Black Smoke, which is described as a four-piece band based out of Belleville showcasing two- and three-part harmonies as a classic British rock cover band, according to the band’s website.
Bentwood Rocker – a pop/rock vocal quintet – will hit the stage at 8 p.m., and the two bands will continue to switch it up like that through the night.
Simply put, it’s not going to be the same music for four straight hours, and it’s all music to dance to, notes Thompson.
If you’re looking to get in even earlier, Rotary will have food and beverages available for purchase as of 6 p.m. It’s also free admission, but any donations help Rotary.
“It didn’t start out as a fundraiser for Rotary – it was more the club just putting on an event for the town and the people,” explains Thompson, adding that this evolution made sense over time as numbers grew, including in the licensed area.
He tells us Rotarians also know how to make fundraising dollars stretch in terms of impact.
“The Rotary Club of Brighton is part of a worldwide network of service clubs in pretty much every country in the world. I mean, there are several million Rotarians and thousands and thousands of clubs in pretty much every country you could name …” explains Thompson., adding they partner up to tackle everything from clean water projects to the eradication of Polio on the international stage.
More regionally and locally, you can find Rotarians’ helping with everything from major projects over the years – such as the lighthouse restoration as just one example – to Coats for Kids at Christmas, local sports teams, school lunch programs, and more.
During the day, people can also hit up the third edition of the Art in the Park Festival at Memorial Park. If you’re looking for the full rundown for these festivities, be sure to check out our earlier coverage.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
